why the algae?
 

I have a small pond, about 100 gallons (its really on old corner bath) It is
well covered with floating plants, also some that grow from the bottom like
lillies but they arent, lots of oxygenators, marginals, a fast running pump
for the size of the pond, with a fountain and a spitter. The pond is near
the house and well shaded, with very little sun. The water is clear and the
fish healthy, and they eat everything as soon as it touches the water
surface. So why, I wonder, am I always pulling out yards of string algae?
Any ideas?
Barbara

why the algae?
 

So why, I wonder, am I always pulling out yards of string algae?

Algea of any kind needs nutrients to grow.....pea soup algea needs lots of
sun....string algea does not. I have had it even grow ON the very plants it
is supposed to dislike. Go to the nursery and get a small bag of 0-0-60 ....if
you can find it this late in the year and add a teaspoon of it every week or
two....it will cause your plants to grow like crazy and starve it out. If you
can not find that....go to the grocery store and in the spice section get a
small jar of alum....it is used for canning and if they don't have it they can
get it for you. Use only 1/8 teaspoon and then do it again in 7 days....that
treatment will last a year. If you are doing frequent water changes
stop....you have enough plants that you don't need to. Adding new water adds
new nutrients. Lastly in 100 gallons you should have no more fish than 4 or 5
small goldfish if you have even one more than that you are over stocked and
that in itself is the problem ... .all fish poop and that feeds the
algea.....remember algea is a plant and all it needs is food and light to grow.
Good luck Jerri

http://www.fringeweb.com/Ponds/JerrisPond

why the algae?
 

Thank you Jerri, and God bless you - I didnt realise you were so ill. Can I
add, thank you for this newsgroup, I dont post often but read it a lot and
find it helpul - the people here seem very friendly and helpful, and the
language is clear and understandable - not the unintelligable computor
jargon you sometimes find. thanks to everyone who posts here.
Barbara
"Jerrispond" wrote in message
...
So why, I wonder, am I always pulling out yards of string algae?

Algea of any kind needs nutrients to grow.....pea soup algea needs lots of
sun....string algea does not. I have had it even grow ON the very plants
it
is supposed to dislike. Go to the nursery and get a small bag of 0-0-60
.....if
you can find it this late in the year and add a teaspoon of it every week
or
two....it will cause your plants to grow like crazy and starve it out. If
you
can not find that....go to the grocery store and in the spice section get
a
small jar of alum....it is used for canning and if they don't have it they
can
get it for you. Use only 1/8 teaspoon and then do it again in 7
days....that
treatment will last a year. If you are doing frequent water changes
stop....you have enough plants that you don't need to. Adding new water
adds
new nutrients. Lastly in 100 gallons you should have no more fish than 4
or 5
small goldfish if you have even one more than that you are over stocked
and
that in itself is the problem ... .all fish poop and that feeds the
algea.....remember algea is a plant and all it needs is food and light to
grow.
Good luck Jerri


http://www.fringeweb.com/Ponds/JerrisPond