Controlling Algae

For as long as there have been garden ponds, there has been that green menace that plagues pond keepers: algae.

New ponds are especially susceptible since they don’t have their own mini ecosystem up and running yet. There are several things that you can do to keep your garden pond lovely and clear, though.

The first thing to know is the difference between a water garden (which is primarily water plants with some small fish) and a fish pond (like a Koi pond). A water garden requires a pump that moves about half the water volume of the pond per hour. Proper construction is also important, and it is suggested that at least forty percent of the surface area be reserved for a deep zone. The deep section of your pond should be at least two feet. For a Koi pond you are going to want a stronger pump to move the full volume of the pond every hour. Fish are messy creatures, and it takes a lot to keep up with them. They require the same volume for a deep zone, but the depth should be closer to three feet for your fish. Be careful, also, that runoff from the garden does not have a way into your pond. The nutrients from the runoff will feed your pesky algae.

Having the right plants in your pond is also important. The right balance of plants, combined with proper maintenance, will starve the algae of their food sources. Floater plants can starve the algae for sunlight as well. Adding enzymes to the water may also help break down the algae while it promotes the health of the other plants and fish.

After several years (provided the pond has not been emptied and refilled) your pond will be a much more mature picture of the pond it was before. Algae growth should naturally have declined, and you can sit back and enjoy your beautiful water garden or Koi pond.

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