Well. for the past few weeks my hubby and I had been considering getting a Ultra-Violet Sterilizer for our pond. We have never had a prob w/ green algae, and we had used everything we could think of, and the water still wouldn't clear up. Now this is the 1st year for the pond here in our new house and it gets less sun here, than the other house ever did.
Last year we lived in our old home and I had a problem w/ string algae, but never green or brown algae and that pond got sun for most or all of the morning, day, and late in the day. But, I had an Algae Eater in my pond that was about 8 inches whenever we put him in there, but whenever I brought him in before it got cold, he was atleast a foot and a half, no joke and if anyhing I am underestimating his size. He was so ugly I was terrified of it. But, after a few months back in the regular aquarium he had been in for years, before we put him in the pond, he died. It was a 55 gal tank so it wasn't too small for him, The only thing I could figure is he didn't get enough algae to eat even feeding him algae wafers.
What is puzzling is we even bought a bigger pump that pumps 1900 GPH and our pond is about 1200 gal, and we continued to use the other pump that pumps abput 500 gph. Whenever we 1st set it up, I did everything just like brand new. Added Pond Clarifier, Accu-Clear, Barley Straw, have a much better waterfall, w/this pond than the other. I used
Al Hanks idea on that. We have one of those big black rubbermaid round tubs at the top w/a spill way lip so the water can flow over on the waterfall, and in the round tub we have our hoses ran up to the back of it to feed the waterfall, and it is full of lava rock, which makes for a great filter own its own. Rinse the lava rock off real good 1st or it will really cloudy up your water. About every 2 mos. I take the lava rock out of the tub, and rinse it real good and get about 2 more mos. use out of it and then we buy more. Just this system and barley straw, and algaefix, had always done the trick, oh and I forgot I use a ton of snails. And still do. But, for some reason, here my regular maintenance and even partial water changes more often than normal, still wasn't doing the trick.
So, I started asking around at the pet store I have been using for quite some time. I rarely even buy a fish from anyone but them. And, she got to telling me about these UV Sterilizers. For my size pond it was $130.00, and we have already spent about that much in chemicals this year, so it is true, it will save you money on chemicals in the long run. We have had it in for 4 days now and we can tell a huge difference. I can see them on the bottom now, and I have a Japanese Imported Navy Blue Koi. At first he had a little bit of a grey tint to him, but now, he is so pretty and blue. My hubby and I both were amazed that we could see him. B'cause we had only seen him 2-3 times since we put him in there the last part of March. You couldn't even see my bright yellow one. And now, We fight over who is gonna feed the fish, so we compromise and share. It used to be like a chore and now we just enjoy sitting out there and watching them, now that we actually have something to see.
I know that $130.00 seems a little pricey, but add up how much you spend on chemicals a year on your pond, and I think you will agree w/me, it will save u money, and it is better for the fish, not using all of the chemicals and better for the plants too.
I would certainly reccomend this to anyone. It kills the algae and all of the bad bacteria and particles, and leaves all of the good things to maintain a good healthy, cycled pond.
Sorry I wrote such a long post, but I am excited about this U V Sterilizer, and id it can help anyone else, they also carry them at PetSmart, they were just out of the size we needed.
Thnks, And Good Luck,
Traci S
Broke down and bought the UV Sterilizer for our pond!!
I'm glad your pond is working out so well! I have a 700 gallon pond w/a UV sterilizer and I couldn't get my water clear this spring. Well the bulb had quit working! I've ordered a new bulb and I hope to be able to see my fish again soon. I know they are okay because they come up to eat, but then they disappear till the next feeding.
yeah, I know what you mean, tht is what mine were doin, and b'cause of all of the algae, I couldn't, get it straightenend out for nothing. I have never had a green algae pond before, or brown algae. I tried everything I could that was safe for fish and plants. Ususaally Algaefix always does the trick, but not this time. So, e dded the UV Sterilizer and w/in a day and a half I could ee my fish almost all the way to the bottom, and now I can see them all the way to the bottom, and in just 5-6 days it has made a tremendous difference.I'm pretty sure for the nest few weeks, I'l need to use some chemcals, but not anything harsh, like I ws using. I'll continue w/the Barley straww, aandd maybe even Barley Extract, and then leave it alone and let it do it's own thing. I have severl Algae Eaters in there, and lots of frogs, so that will help too.
Yeah, from what I understand you are supposed to replace the bulbs once a year. I think I am gonna go ahead and buy a new bullb so that I don't have to worry about trying to remember. Atleast my hubby is pretty good at things like that.
Anyway, I am very happy so far w/ this UV sterilizer so far, It has made a big difference in my pond in 5 days and nothing has helped like this thing. So, those of you who are not quite sure what to do, whenevr you have trie eveything else, that is the way to go. And thoose of you who do not want to use all the chemicals this is definitely the way to go. I wish I had known about this 4 yrs ago whenever I 1st started ponding. It would have saved me alot of $$$'s over the years, and that is also wha I m looking forward to along w/ the clear water and big fat healthy fish!!!!!!!!!!!
Thans,TraciS
just read your message and wanted you to know I was having trouble with my pond also. I bought the uv light and my water has cleared up completely. Hope it stays that way because my pond is completely in the sun.
Traci & bevjane, did your water look like this? IF so I'll look into getting one of those too. We've got a prefab hardliner pond that is supposed to be 110 gallons. We completely took it apart last month, scrubbed the liner and rinsed it well. Then we put it back together and it now looks as if we've never cleaned it out. The water looks muddy/greenish like and I can't keep it clean. Last summer, it was infested with string algea and this spring I bought the barley straw but I'm starting to notice some string algea. If you tell me my ponds water looks like what yours looked like before the UV sterilizer, then I'll have to bite the bullet and get one. TIA,
Gemila
TraciS, what type of algae eaters to you put into your pond. I have been thinking about this also. Are they just the plain old common algae eaters from the fish store or are they Plecos?
Thanks, Carl
Hello All!
This is my first post. hopefully not my last.
I have a pond that is about 1300 gallons. I built it on the edge of my brink patio..... I have 4 12" koi and several large goldfish. The Koi were 4 " when I put them in.
The pond has been running now for about 6 months now. Boy, I wish I had done things differently. But hey, I still love it. I have a water fall that runs down a small creek to the pond. I use a waterfall filter, with lava rock. I used a submersible UV Light (40 watt) and it keeps my pond clear, but I still have tons of sting algea to deal with.
I have been adding Benzonite Clay once a week, which really makes the water crystal clear. Just don't know what to do about all the string algea, I remove tons of it every few days....
I will run out a take a quick picture to add to this post.
My Name is Jeff....
and I am in San Diego, California
Jeff, what a pretty pond! I think we would all do things differently the next time. I'd sure build bigger-my pond is 700 gallons but only 30 inches deep at the deepest point, and it freezes solid for half the year here in Michigan. Thanks for sharing your pond.
Thanks Sylvi......
I have attached a picture showing the other end of it.....
I guess I should have posted this in the actual forum, not as a reply.... Still learning.....
Jeff
I like your pond, my is 1500 gallons , haven't had it but a year. was having trouble with green water and the uv sterilzer, my is sitting next to my water fall. Don't like the looks of it showing but will figure out way to sonceal it. I have about 24 fish in my pond (probally to many) most are small don't know all the names wish I did. color ranges from orange and white to blue and yellows. What is string algae?
Just wanted to add a few comments about the UV filter. It is wonderful! I got one a little over a year ago and it got rid of most of the algae. I also found out that I didn't need to feed my fish (I have goldfish that were feeder fish and have been in my pond for about 3 years now). Anyway it has cut way down on my cleaning (filters) and muck from the bottom. They are healthy and still growing (some are 8 to 10 in. long). I keep it going constantly winter and summer. It works! Jenny
cblunkjr...
I have two plecos in my pond. I put them in about amonth ago. I know that they are troplical, so I was not sure if they would survive with out a heater. I am in southern California so it really doesn;t get very cold here.
They seem to be doing great! The have grown about 3 inches in a month, and seem to be eating away. I love the look of them, they look like sharks!
Not sure what to do with them when they get big though. I have raissed them in an inside aquarium before years ago, and they grew to about 18 or 19 inches. Thats pretty big for a small pond.
Yes, I put plecos in my pond. 3 of them, but before winter if they aren't entirely too big, I will add them to my 55 gal aquarium, or atleast 1, of them. The other 2, I will sell to the pet store I use regularly. There's no way for them to survive Georgia falls or winters. I would reccommend a UV sterilizer for anyone who's pond starts to give them a problem Algaefix will no longer take care of. :D
Thanks,
TraciS
Traci, I am with you. The UV filter is great even though a little expensive you save in the long run since you don't have to buy all of those chemicals to keep the water clear. Not to mention so much less upkeep. Jenny
WE have a 3000 gallon pond. I started with a small 150 gallon we have always used UV lights to great sucess. You have to change the bulbs each spring. they do lose intensity over a period of time. http://members.cox.net/zepond/default this is the link to our pond.
Saw this sterilizer at Improvements Catalog's website: http://www.improvementscatalog.com/Parent.asp?product=232758x&dept%5Fid=300&subdept%5Fid=301&macs=macs=MP4WGGL
Anyone ever used this kind? One as cheap as $49 to begin with...Just wondering if they're any good.
Gardenwife,
I have not used that type of sterilizer. My sterilizer is for ponds up to 3,000 gallons and I paid about $160.00 for it. I figured I'd go ahead and get that one, b'cause I am planning to add a small stream w/ an addition. But, I have been very happy w/it. But, My pond was so clear after putting in the sterilizer until we started getting all of this flooding rain, and I went out the other day and my pond is a light brown milky color. The fish seem to be doing great, but very hard to see other than at feeding time. I was advised to do a 25 to 30 % water change. Do you know of anything else that might help and do you think it is just from the rain?
Thanks, and any suggestio0ns would be greatly appreciated!
Traci S
A stream would be so nice! I don't know what to tell you about the milky color - could it be just the substrat upset by the rains? Do you have any wood in the pond? I know fishtanks can take on a yellowy-brown tint from the tannin in wood which hasn't been treated.
Gardenwife,
no, I don't have any wood in the pond. It has done great up until the last few weeks. It has rained a good bit before, but I'm hoping that b'cause of the extreme rain we have been getting, that that is the cause. There aren't any leaves in it either. All of my plants and fish are doing fine. My waterlily's are absolutely beautiful and the Elephant ears and the parrots feather, and the water lily pads have grown like crazy! I just wondered if anyone else has had this color of water before. If you find out anything please LMK.
Thanks so much or replying!
Traci S
Traci, do you have your plants in soil or a special soiless mix for the pond? I found that it makes a difference especially this time of year when the fish try to dig in the soil and stir it up. I use the very cheapest cat litter to plant my water plants in. I get the small plastic (about 2-3) gallon buckets with a handle from the Dollar store and put in the plain gray cat litter (non clumping and no perfumes or additives). Then I plant my lillies in that and push the plant tabs way down. Put small rocks on top around the plant, water till soaked, and lower into the pond. That way it is easy to pull them up to do maintenance. If your pond is too shallow this might not work. This will help keep your pond clear. Also I do change out one third of my water about once a month. I pump it off to my bed of elephant ears (boy do they love it). These two things plus the uv sterilizer have made a huge difference in my pond and the maintenance I have to do. Jenny
Great tips about the buckets and cat litter - thanks, Jenny!
If you are going to use cat litter make very sure it is unscented or you might kill your fish. Cat litter is quite good for the pond because most of it is made from zeolite which will remove ammonia until it is full of the ammonia. The plants will use the ammonia as fertilizer for themselves. Generic cat litter is usually unscented.
Thanks Lani and Everyone!!
Traci S
AZ PONDS (I hope it is okay to say that-I'm new to DG) had its Laguna UV's on sale. Mine has worked great. Cleared a VERY green pond in a couple of weeks. I considered using Plecos in my pond but they have to be brought in before the water temp drops below 55 . Also, a few people have reported problems with them sucking sores on the sides of their large slow moving fish-so even if the odds are against it I was afraid to take a chance. I have string algea (UV wont help that) but at least my water is clear. Ya..hoo
charlotteda