Well, I'm fighting a battle and presently I'm loosing. Every day I'm gathering string algae with my trusty brush but it's getting ahead of me. It's on all my plants and even though I try to clean them off it gets back on them. My poor little plants can't grow because of this stuff. So frustrating. So if you're expecting any water plants from me I apologize. But trust me..you don't want something from me right now. My DH and I are trying to come up with something to temporarily cover the pond. We're thinking a suspended sheet for shade. My water temp is extremely high from all the heat and sun we've had lately so I've got to do something. My thoughts are a cover of sorts to help my plants do what they do best. I love my pond...most of the time...just not lately. "T" :(
String Algae
Have you ever tried the black vegetable dye? I used that for a couple years and I really liked it. It worked wonders when I'd be sprucing up for my spring plant sale and didn't have time to deal with the pond. It keeps the algae growth down but enough light penetrates to allow the water plants to grow. It makes the water look dark and deep - and it's safe for fish. It's a powder you add to the water. Don't confuse it with the blue tabs I've seen around. I think blue water looks silly in a pond.
Black Vegetable dye? I've never even heard of it let alone used it. What is it? I'm not trying to sound dumb....but...black vegetable dye?? "T" :(
This is where I bought it http://www.lilypons.com/cgi-bin/shopzone30.exe/store/st_prod.html?p_prodid=78&p_catid=&sid=pl4OZ0WD5Db8O4-03102528897.11
A show I watched gave me the courage to try it ... I think it was the Victory garden. I also liked that it hides all the pots, pump, tubes, and other junk in the pond. It's really natural looking. I'd give it just one aplication in the spring. By fall the dye had pretty much been filtered out - but it lasted most of the season. I bought the little jar and it lasted a couple of years for my pond. I been thinking I should buy some more ... just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Sledder, Get some AlgaeFix and follow the instructions and add barley straw to the pond.
I use these two items and have a crystal clear pond.
The AlgaeFix to get rid of the algae that lasted over the winter and barley straw to make sure it stays gone for the summer.
AlgaeFix should take about 3 days to rid the pond of String Algae, it will die and you can get it out with your brush, and the straw will last for about 3 months. It takes about 3 weeks to get the straw started but it's worth it.
I agree with the Algae Fix. It is a wonderful product. Doesn't hurt your plants or your fish. Just make sure you keep your pumps and other water circulation going while using it. It works almost over night. If you still have algae after the 3 days, just add some more. It goes a long way. One teaspoon per 50 gallons of water. I bought mine at petsmart.
I got some algae fix. after reading about it in a post tig made and love it works fast and easy to use btw thanks tiG
annabelle turned me on to it. really good stuff, my ponds look great!
Waaaahhhh,, I'm using Algae Fix and barley and I still have string. The frustration level is rising..can you tell? It's so strange because the water is clear. But I have this stringy stuff on all my plants. I even tried to weigh down the roots on my water hyathins but they still rise to the surface of the pond during the daylight hours and turn all green. Yucky stuff. So off I go and skim the pond...again...and again...and again. Remind me again why I love my pond? "T" :)
how long have you been using the AF??
For 2 weeks,,,every 3 days. I'll put it in during the evening (because I'm home then) and skim the top real good..and use my "trusty toilet brush". And in the morning it's so pretty. Then come home from work and it's back. Now, not quite as bad the day before but if I don't keep with it every single day it's horrible...and I do mean horrible. "T" :)
is this stuff floating to the top? I think it's killing it, and you're scooping out the dead stuff. ? hoping someone will come with an answer for you, I know it's frustrating.
I am having the same problem. The AF is killing the algae in the pond and it is floating all up to the surface. I have a problem though. My surface area is covered by about 70 percent and it is tough to scoop that nasty green slimy mess out between all the lilies and other floating plants. Any suggestions from anyone? What if we just left it alone, would it sink back to the bottom? That AF really works for me, but sure makes a mess out of the pond with all the dead algae in it.
Please get out your pond test kit and check the ph, nitrates and etc. in your pond. Something is way out of balance and needs to be corrected.
Okay anna,,,will do for sure. I haven't done that for a week or two so you may have a very good point. Thanks!! "T" :)