On 5 Mar 2005 18:23:03 -0600, Otto Pylot wrote:

Howdy all,
This is our first winter with a new pond. It is about 1100 gallons
outside in the backyard with about a 4 1/2 foot waterfall that
meanders down a 6 foot stream. 4 Shibukin goldfish and more mosquito
fish than I can count. The water moves fairly well 24/7. The only
thing we treat the pond with is Pond-Zyme Plus about every two weeks.
We are in the SF Bay Area. There is a lot of string algae that is
growing and even though we attempt to take it out, it's a losing
battle. Will the algae go away once the weather warms up and stays warm
or is there something we should treat the pond with that is safe for
our current fish and the koi that we plan on adding this spring?
I'd hate to make my pond chemically dependent if I can help it so what
should I do or is this a natural cycle that will clear itself over
time. The fish and plants all look healthy. Thanks.

String algae is pretty normal in a young pond, especially in the spring
when your other pond plants are barely waking up. Don't go with chemicals,
it kills the good with the bad. What you want is the fine fuzz algae that
will eventually grow on the liner, rocks, pots and anything in the pond. A
good coating of it and the string algae will usually stay at bay.

In the meantime, harvest the worst of it out. A small plastic shrub rake
works great. As someone already mentioned, don't remove it all at once,
afterall, it is filtering the water until the bacteria gets up to speed.

Maybe you could tell us more about your system? Filtration, inside or
outside the pond, bottom drain/skimmer, etc. turnaround time? How many
plants in pond and types? ~ jan


See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
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