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Started By
Message
Pond algae problem...
Posted on 5/22/14 at 8:40 am
Posted on 5/22/14 at 8:40 am
Built the grandkids a small (1/3 acre) fishing pond about 8 years ago. Pond is well stocked with bass and bream only. The last two summers I have had a big problem with excessive blue/green algae. It's mighty aggravating when you hafta continually clean this slimy mess off a fish hook or plastic worm. What can I do to get this algae under control? Will grass carp take care of it? I've never fertilized the pond and it has continual fresh water feeding into it from a spring. TIA!
8
Posted on 5/22/14 at 8:52 am to BFIV
If you add carp make sure they are triploid ones that cannot reproduce.
Posted on 5/22/14 at 9:01 am to BFIV
Water is too clear? Add a few catfish?
Posted on 5/22/14 at 9:09 am to Geauxtiga
Water has never been what I would call "crystal clear". Before the algae problem, I could see about 3 feet deep into the water. I just don't know what caused this algae problem to develop. But I've got it now and need to get it somewhat under control. There are times that the entire pond surface is covered by this stuff. A good rain always helps to wash it off, but in just a couple of days, it comes back.
Posted on 5/22/14 at 9:12 am to BFIV
I don't have a lot of experience with pond management but have a friend who does. I didn't realize how much really goes into it, at times.
I once found a "Pond Forum" that I sent him a link too. It had good info. I will look for it for you.
I once found a "Pond Forum" that I sent him a link too. It had good info. I will look for it for you.
Posted on 5/22/14 at 9:15 am to Geauxtiga
Shew, there are several. Try these:
pondboss.com
thepondforum.com
pondboss.com
thepondforum.com
Posted on 5/22/14 at 9:17 am to Geauxtiga
Thanks! I'll check these out. Any and all help/advice is greatly appreciated, especially by the grandkids.
Posted on 5/22/14 at 9:22 am to Geauxtiga
quote:
Add a few catfish?
The catfish are there. I have a pond and never put one catfish in the water.
About 6 months later, I caught a calico channel cat.
The egrets will stock your pond.
Posted on 5/22/14 at 9:24 am to BFIV
Your pond may not be deep enough.
Posted on 5/22/14 at 9:28 am to BFIV
I think there is a microorganism you can add to eat it. But neware, clear water will be overtaken by grass in a couple months and then no fishing at all.
Posted on 5/22/14 at 9:29 am to TigerDeacon
quote:I know grass doesn't grow in > 4ft of water but not sure about how depth affects algae- and it could very well.
Your pond may not be deep enough.
Posted on 5/22/14 at 9:43 am to Geauxtiga
My pond is 4/12 feet deep.
Grass and wild hyacinth grows well.
Grass and wild hyacinth grows well.
Posted on 5/22/14 at 9:55 am to TigerDeacon
quote:
Your pond may not be deep enough.
It's about 12' deep at the dam. Before last night's storm, the surface was covered with this junk. It's all gone right now, though. But it will be back. I think the rain just knocks the air bubbles out of it and it sinks to the bottom only to come right back up again after a few days. This stuff rises back up again and is more reliable than my Viagra pill...
Posted on 5/22/14 at 9:56 am to Kcrad
Quick algaecide fix Cutrine Plus.
Pond dye helps also.
Pond dye helps also.
Posted on 5/22/14 at 9:59 am to BFIV
quote:
and is more reliable than my Viagra pill
That's funny right there.
Posted on 5/22/14 at 10:00 am to BFIV
quote:
It's about 12' deep at the dam.
What is the average depth?
Posted on 5/22/14 at 10:17 am to TigerDeacon
quote:
What is the average depth?
Probably about 5 feet.
Posted on 5/22/14 at 10:27 am to Skoot
Thanks for the link, Skoot. I've been reading some of the pond forums that yall recommended. I was hoping that I had options other than chemical treatments, but it looks like the only biological control I may have is to introduce talapia into the pond, but that is short term. They would never survive a Virginia winter. Maybe sterile grass carp might eat some of that algae? According to the pond forums, most of the time, if you kill the algae chemically, it just sinks to the bottom and re-releases the nutrients which, in turn, eventually causes another algae growth? This is all new to me.
Posted on 5/22/14 at 10:32 am to BFIV
quote:
BFIV
hey friend, i live right up the road from you in Tazewell
it is good to see you back around these parts, i hope you were able to not get the van stuck much with the terrible winter we had up here..
by the way, did y'all get any of those storms last night?
we have a family pond up here that we have been mataining for a couple of years now..
here is a pic from where we drained it in February to do our spring cleaning..
here it is with my dad and our dogs, (we had a pretty bad grouse season, but it wasn't the worse.. so I am grateful about that)
so, let's start with the algae, first thing you have to do is get some grass carp, about 4-6 should be adequate with a 1/3 pond
Now, first thing you must realize is that the commonwealth requires you to get a permit to transfer and stock asian grass carp, i got this permit a couple of year ago and have not applied for one since. i think it was like a a hundred buck, which is crazy but so is the commenwealth
but, before you put the grass carp in, get you some of this..
Blue Bayou pond dye/colorant.. this helps elimate the algae
also, you to make sure you are dealing with actual algae and not southern naiad, southern naiad is brought into ponds by duck/geese, it is tough problem to control and the only real way to do so is to try to keep ducks/geese out of the ponds as much as possible
pic of southern naiad/seagrass
now, to remove southern naiad you will have to pull it up by the root, by best advice is get out on the pond with a small raft/yak and do it that way while placing the rooted naiad in the boat/yak for transportation
quote:
I've never fertilized the pond and it has continual fresh water feeding into it from a spring.
wow, you are the only person beside for myself that has this luxury.. and a luxury it is
ours come off the side of East River Mtn, you can see the pipe in the top left of the our pond in the fist pic
i can go on for days, but this is just a rough starting point, i'll check back later to see if you have any quetions comments
BTW, for you all that don't know BFIV has been a long standing member of the OB and a member of the van gang,
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