What is the best product to use for algae in my pondless waterfall/stream? WalMart carried a brand that worked fine, but of course, are out of it this time of year, when it's needed most. - no fish!
kathy
algae
Are there plants? If there are no plants you could just add liquid chlorine as needed, very cheap from a pool store.
safe for birds to drink? My shih tzu's often get a drink on a hot day, but mainly walk in the stream
Our animals have always drank from our pool with no ill effects but I wouldn't want birds to drink out of it.......someone will come along with advice, we don't use chemicals to control algae in the pond :(
I haven't tried this but I have it in my notes to try if things get out of hand:
To kill algae: 10oz 3% hydrogen peroxide per 100 gallons.
Peroxide turns into plain water, after it's done its thing, in a short amount of time. It's not supposed to harm fish or plants at this dilution.
This message was edited Jul 6, 2007 11:12 PM
where do I find that percentage of peroxide? A feed and Seed store?
You should be able to get 3% peroxide anywhere (drug store, grocery, Walmart...etc) in the pharmacy dept.
I've also seen it at Big Lots and the dollar stores.
This message was edited Jul 7, 2007 7:27 PM
I agree with the hydrogen peroxide. I have used it for several years with great success for string algae. I have plants and fish and critters drinking from the pond. I also have been known to get in the pond myself at times. I use half dose for a little problem, or the full dose for when things get out of hand. It does need to be repeated
.
I am not sure how you would do this with a pond less system. I found that when I poured the peroxide close to the intake for the filters I messed with the normal bacteria that is in the filters. Now I pour the peroxide into our stream that goes into our pond with out problems.
I buy bottles of it in any first aid section of a store. I would like to find where I could buy it bulk some day.
Good luck
I use Baccacil in my swiming pool and it's peroxide. Works good too.
Jeri
There is also an additive you can buy for keeping fountains clear...I would have to check and see what the active ingredient is in it. I know it is safe for the birds.
RatherB
So I just buy hydrogen peroxide at a store and I can use it in my pond to control algae? I have a 1000 gal pond. How much should I use? I don't want to take a chance on harming my fish or plants. (I have some little baby fish:+)
This message was edited Jul 12, 2007 9:30 AM
and how do we keep the foam down?
Kathy
I would like to first state I am no expert in ponding. I have had my pond for 3 years and have read lots on DG. I would reccamend even looking at old posts in this water gardening area. 2005 was a great year for posting if I remember right. I have avoided some mistakes by reading these posts. I am sure I have more mistakes to make.
Per a 2005 posting that I use as my reference:
- "The typical range of doses used are 1-2 pints per 1000 gallons using 3% hydrogen peroxide with a repeat dose anywhere from 3 days to 1 week if necessary to as high as 1 pint per 100 gallons."
So for a 1000 gallon pond it would be 1-2 pints. I would start with one pint and you can add more later. I used LOTS of hydrogen peroxide last year. It did not seem to harm my babies at all. Just add it to a spot where it will be diluted before it goes into the filters. The normal bacteria is so important on those filters.
I also note that when my algae increases in my pond that it is a time for a partial water change. There are just too many nutrients in the water and it helps with the increase in algae growth. The more I do this ponding the more I believe in the basics of the quality of the water it self. Make sure all is good with the water itself before messing with anything else. I do the water change before adding the peroxide.
The foaming---I have read on DG that it is from frisky fish. It goes away when they settle down. I do not do anything about it.
Enjoy your ponds
I have a pondless stream/waterfall- bulk barrels, etc with small rock on top. You can walk on the 6 ft deep hole but it contains about 500 gallons of water. Enough for the stream and double for back up. So the white foam is from the waterfalls and where it falls into the "pond". The water stands about 6 inches deep on top of rocks in the pond. I need something that really reduces foam.
I used an algae remover for birdbaths, I've also tried pool treatment for algae and both foam even after several days.
Kathy
Kathy were you referring to the foaming caused by the peroxide? There is none to speak of or you talking about the foam that occurs when the fish are spawning? Usually mine clears up after a day or two.
Jeri
This message was edited Jul 10, 2007 8:59 AM
not foam from peroxide, I have not fish, it's pondless - contains bulb barrels and water, and rock only. But foam from adding pond/birdbath algae remover or swimming pool treatment.
http://www.pondkoi.com/pond_products_pondless_waterfall_kits.htm
this is an example of pondless streams. my pond is 8 ft long, 6 ft wide, 6 ft deep
FWIK a couple of things can cause the foaming, one is excess decaying matter, the other is soft water. Soft water will foam.
I am glad azreno had some thoughts of causes of foaming. We have some chemical to use for foaming for our hot tub. We think foaming there is occurs with too many lotions or body oils. Your pondless waterfall looks like a great idea.
I doubt if this is a useful idea, but about 10 days ago somebody in the 'birds' forum recommended placing pennies or a piece of copper in the bird bath in order to retard algae growth. I thoroughly cleaned the bird bath, added fresh water and about 2 dozen pennies. Since then I've seen NO algae growth. Since you have a pond, I figure a few hundred dollars worth of pennies outa help. :-)
Seriously, though, if I had a small, recycling waterfall arrangement, I would definitely dump a few dollars worth of pennies in it. Can't hurt. Might help. And if it didn't help, I could always gather up the pennies and spend them. Just a thought.
If the look of "coins in the fountain" isn't exactly your cup of tea there are a large number of copper based algaecides on the market. Copper sulfate is a common one used to treat large ponds, marinas etc. Other forms of copper in liquid form are very often used in swimminpg pools.
http://www.aquaweed.com/copper.htm
The pondless stream/waterfall is wonderful.
kathy,
Hi - I have a pondless stream too. Like yours, mine ends in a gravel bog. The landscaper/nursery sold us something called Dissolve that worked real well. The product name has changed now and I cannot remember it. It was $22.00 !! ;0( So, I am going to try the peroxide. I don't have a foaming issue and I have the fountainhead spewing water fairly forcefully, and then three more waterfalls running the length of the stream that feeds the bog. I do have a great deal of algae to deal with. Currently, the stream has no plants, but I intend to get a few for the gravel bog - I hear that the roots help to filter and keep the water clear. These great and kind folks have educated me a lot on DavesGarden - I will put the roots right into the gravel (it is river rock) and / or kitty litter. So, once you get the algae cleared you may want to consider plants.
FWIW - we also tried the pennies in our fountain and not a sign of algae so far.
Thanks Rosie, I do love the pondless route. I just don't have time to fool with the pond thing. I have river rock in my basin too. I'll add plants next year and will drain mine for winter. Do you have a filter too? I don't have one yet. May add that to the waterfall area next Spring.
kathy
kathy
Do you have to drain? The pond people didn't tell me that. Maybe our winters different from yours? We do get pretty cold with snow and ice sometimes. We didn't drain last year. We kept it running all winter. The pond guys said in winter we might want to shut off the fountainhead and leave the rest going (the waterfalls to the bog)... No I don't have a filter - will rely on the plants and see how it goes. I think if I got a few goldfish I may need a filter.
I will shut mine off to save on the electric bill. I have a fountain for the birds to have water but won't run it during the winter when I won't be outside much to enjoy it.
k