It's been a 'problem', esp. in recent times in my pond. No idea if that is a sign of the pond 'settling down'. But too much of them is offering an 'ugly' look, esp on the liner, on the sides. I take a small rough twig, not too thick, and then get the algae to wind round it by rotating it with the fingers, like cotton candy. I am presently using this method and spending a bit of time sitting for that. I heard in one of my earlier threads that this algae consumes more oxygen from the pond. My pond is looking clearer now as I can see its 18-inch bottom. I don't clean it often too, as before. May be it is on the way to settling down.
How do I remove string algae..
Hi Dinu!
Buy yourself a cheap brush for toilet cleaning. Use it like you do the twig. It will actually allow you more area for pulling out the algae. I had a problem with string algae once a year or so ago and the toilet brush works wonderfully!
Dinu, I've also used the toilet bowl brush (a friend has one that's red, white and blue!). The string algae (there are many varieties) will also help the water clarify a bit as it out-competes the suspended algae for nutrients. The reason you hear about it creating oxygen depletion problems is when there's a lot of it present. When the sun goes down the algae will no longer photosynthesize and produce oxygen but will actually consume oxygen and can create very low levels if there's too much algae. Some have had moderate success ridding their ponds of string algae by adding a 1-2 pints of 3% hydrogen peroxide (available in most drugstores and supermarkets in this country) per 1000 gallons of water in your pond. But if you do that you want to make sure you have as much of the string algae out of the pond as you can physically remove so it doesn't consume too much oxygen as it is killed an breaks down. The use of hydrogen peroxide appears to be very safe and difficult to overdose. Some have reported using dose rates as high as 1 pint per 100 gallons with no impact on fish or plants. I've played with it in the 1-2 pints/1000 with moderate success - doesn't seem to work too well as the water temperature gets below about 45°F or so.
I don't monitor this forum as often as I should and have just noted your advice on string algae.
Is this the same stuff that is usually found in larger duck ponds, for example? I have this stuff and it is slowly filling my pond and the fish are running out of room to swim around.
When I remove it from the pond and let it stand to drain, it starts to really stink. It's only a matter of time before the neighbors complain!
I have a 'header tank' that I use as a filter but which, for the meantime, I have isolated and treated with 1/3 pint 3% hydrogen peroxide to 500 galls of water. I thought I would try it out here first. How long should it take to work?
Thanks, Steve
Steve, If you've got a really heavy problem with string algae (also called filamentous algae, blanketweed and a few four letter words I won't bother to repeat) you should get as much of it physically out of your pond as you can before you treat with hydrogen peroxide, or an algacide for that matter. The reason being as it decomposes it will consume oxygen even though the addition of the hydrogen peroxide will provide an initial spike of dissolved oxygen. Then go ahead and add your hydrogen peroxide. I've used 1-2 pints per 1000 gallons and know of others using levels as high as 1 pint per 100 gallons (all of the 3% concentration that you can get in your local supermarket or drugstore). So the dosage you've mentioned appears to be a bit on the light side. Generally you should see that it will kill algae (wherever you'be poured it directly on the algae) within a few hours. Within a few days you should see a significant die off of the algae. If not, repeat using a higher dose.
Also, I either til the algae under in my garden or mix it up in my compost heap - no odor issues that way. If you're disposing of many buckets of the stuff try mixing it in with leaves (if you've got any left over from this past fall). The trick is to get a mix in your compost that isn't too wet nor does it have to much nitrogen as the algae decays. Sawdust will help cut it as well. Good luck!
Hey! Ponders, there is a great fix for string algae, it's called AlgaeFix. You can get it at Walmart, cheaper there than local pond shop.One application in the sporing and String algae is gone. Also using barley straw all your will keep it at bay.
Annabelle. I used chemical algae stuff last year and it did get rid of the algea but it did a number on my plants also. Didnt kill them but it seriously hurt their feelings :)
I not saying that one shouldnt use it but just that some plants are more sensitive to those chemicals than others.
charlotte
Interesting stuff, guys:
My primary concern is for my fish. I nearly killed them all some time back with a chemical additive so I'm now very leary of what I throw in the pond.
The Hydrogen peroxide seems to be working well but I might try the AlgaeFix. I'm lucky in having the top pond (sans fish) that I can isolate and experiment with :-)
Thanks for your help: I'll keep you posted
Members, Please give the algaeFix a try. If used properly your plants and fish will have no bad side effects. I have been using it for the past 6 years and no harm to either one.
Here in southwestern Michigan and Northern Indiana we have a pond club, Backyearponderingsociety.com(web site) All of us use it and the barley, in straw or pellet forms and none of us have string algae, and if we do one application does the trick. Good Luck