Controlling Hair Algae in Your Garden Pond

March 18, 2009
Ed Duncan

      Floating green skum and long stringy algae are considered filamentous algae.Filamentous algae has long been a  frustration for water gardeners. There is new  information and many new control products available. Although Ultraviolet Clarifiers work great for free floating algae "green water" they are unable to take care of the filamentous algae. Solid information indicates that keeping nutrient levels as low as possible will create an environment where algae will not thrive. Nutrients come from fish food, fish waste, decaying aquatic plant material, airborne pollen that sticks to the water and any other organic material that collects in the pond like leaves. Nutrient removal comes from growing plants, water changes, filtration, adding natural bacteria to the pond that consumes nutrients, and by physically removing debris.
     The main nutrient that makes the filamentous algae thrive is phosphate.  Eliminating phosphate is very difficult, however using a product like Microbe-Lifts' Pond Phosphate Remover will chemically bind up the phosphates so they are unavailable as a food source for the algae. Filamentous algae can also be controlled with Pond Cares' Algae-Fix or Microbe-Lifts' Algaway 5.4. These are algaecides but quite safe and effective if used as directed. Finally there are cleansers like Green Clean that can be poured directly on affected areas. Often the algae dissolves right before your eyes.
     Eddie' has tried all the above treatments and have found them to be quite effective. Come in and discuss these products with our staff to see what might be the best for your situation.

Happy Ponding!