Koi Know How - Using algae controls

Without doubt, nuisance algae tops the list of UK pond owners' complaints. Green water needn't be a problem for any pond owner who has recirculating water in their pond since ultra violet units (adapted from the food processing industry) have been introduced to the pond and aquatics industry.

As should always be the case with responsible pond keepers who are guardians of their fish, we should identify and address the cause of blanketweed in our ponds and only then, having tried preventative methods, unlock the treatment chest and try to counter it with a pond additive.
The reason why we should make our own preliminary investigations into the cause of the blanketweed (concluding on either light or nutrients or both - as every pond's environment will be different) is that there is a cost (not just financial) when using a counter measure or treatment against algae.
As described earlier in this series, any compound that is added to a pond will affect the pond's chemistry and depending on a number of factors, will have an effect on our koi.
The active chemical is broken down over several weeks by bacteria and particularly UV light, reducing its concentration steadily to levels which make it ineffective against blanketweed.
The fact that it is broken down by bacteria over a matter of weeks should make it apparent to us that additional aeration during treatment should be applied to the pond.
These chemicals have very little effect on water quality and because they work by stealth, controlling and reducing algae growth (rather than killing it), additional aeration during its application is not as vital for the well being of the pond as when an algicide is used.

Article Categories