We all have hopes of having crystal clear water, where you can admire all of the different pond life, but in reality they go green and murky. So why is this and what can you do to solve this issue that so many of us come across? Most of us have experienced this unsightly problem when there is a nutrient imbalance, this causes the algae to grow and multiply. Fish in the pond also contribute to this, when their waste produce gets broken down into nitrates, this then helps to feed the algae. To add to this already growing problem, any sunlight that hits the surface water will help the algae to multiply even faster! Therefore ponds become greener in the spring and summertime.
In January 2018 a lot of our plants and pond weed had become overgrown and out of control, so we decided to remove the majority of these. However, this lead to a bigger water surface area and with a smaller volume of plants helping to keep the pond healthy, our trusty old pump and filtration system couldn’t keep up with the extra work. This is where our solution came about! After talking to Oase living water they recommended the Filto Clear – 12000 Pro with an AquaMax Eco – 8000 Pro premium pump set. The larger filter now handles the extra waste going through!
Another way to help is by having the correct balance of plants – at least 1/3 of the pond surface should have plants. The more surface area you can cover with plants (Water Lilies work well) the less the sunlight can hit the surface, meaning algae will multiply at a slower rate. Plants are a great way to help regulate excessive nutrients.
There are also a number of liquid treatments available for all our pond problems, one of these being Green Away – which is a naturally safe treatment that works by removing suspended algae. You can also use something as simple as Barley Straw, although this treatment will take 2-6 weeks to completely clear the algae, green water and blanket weed. It is 100% natural, which makes it a safe option for wildlife.