I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible. It's
completely taken over the stream and is slowly choking out plants in the
main pond. Oddly though, the VF is really not affected. I've been
experimenting with the kitty litter and it's only mildly effective. It does
seem to knock it back but it comes back with a vengence. We picked up a new
master test kit tonight and here are my readings...
PH-9
GH- 4 drops, 80
KH-5 drops, 50
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0
I know my GH and KH is low but for the life of me I can't remember the
formula for adding baking soda. Can someone please offer some guidance to a
very frustrated PORG. )
Janet in warm and clear Niagara Falls.

--

"Janet" wrote in message
...
I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible. It's
completely taken over the stream
snip

I have been a bit neglectful of the pond lately, and yesterday I noticed my
stream is filling with string algae. So far the VF and the main pond are
just fine, crystal gin clear to the bottom. So I am starting to
wonder...maybe SA is not so bad when in the right place?

BV.

Hi Janet - I was just thinking the same thing myself yesterday - I have
never had the algae build-up in my stream like I have it this year - it
actually causes my stream to leak. I don't notice it in the pond itself,
just the stream and waterfall
Gale :~) (another Ontarian)
"Janet" wrote in message
...
I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible. It's
completely taken over the stream and is slowly choking out plants in the
main pond. Oddly though, the VF is really not affected. I've been
experimenting with the kitty litter and it's only mildly effective. It
does
seem to knock it back but it comes back with a vengence. We picked up a
new
master test kit tonight and here are my readings...
PH-9
GH- 4 drops, 80
KH-5 drops, 50
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0
I know my GH and KH is low but for the life of me I can't remember the
formula for adding baking soda. Can someone please offer some guidance to
a
very frustrated PORG. )
Janet in warm and clear Niagara Falls.

--

Hi BV - I always considered it good stuff, although not very good looking as
it is supposed to help with filtration like plants do, so in past years I've
just hosed it off when it got excessive - usually a couple of times a
season, but this year it builds up like a mat in the stream and on the
waterfall in a few days slowing down the waterfall and plugging up the
stream until it leaks over the edge. I have been pulling it out by the
handfulls every 2 to 3 days - The only real difference I can think of this
year has been the constant rainfall up until last week, Maybe this has been
adding nutrients in large amounts that this stuff thrives on. If so, as the
weather gets drier it should abate some
Gale :~)
"Benign Vanilla" wrote in message
...

"Janet" wrote in message
...
I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible. It's
completely taken over the stream
snip

I have been a bit neglectful of the pond lately, and yesterday I noticed
my
stream is filling with string algae. So far the VF and the main pond are
just fine, crystal gin clear to the bottom. So I am starting to
wonder...maybe SA is not so bad when in the right place?

BV.

Another chime from an Ontarian...

I was told to only fertilize lily and lotus and let the rest fend for
themselves. This does seem to keep the algae down. Also if you can turn
your stream off for six hours during a hot sunny day this should knock it
out some. Every time I clean my filter, my stream is down so I give it a
good blast with the hose set on "Jet". This has helped keep it under
control.

Heather
Woodstock, ON

"Gale Pearce" wrote in message
...
Hi Janet - I was just thinking the same thing myself yesterday - I have
never had the algae build-up in my stream like I have it this year - it
actually causes my stream to leak. I don't notice it in the pond itself,
just the stream and waterfall
Gale :~) (another Ontarian)
"Janet" wrote in message
...
I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible. It's
completely taken over the stream and is slowly choking out plants in the
main pond. Oddly though, the VF is really not affected. I've been
experimenting with the kitty litter and it's only mildly effective. It
does
seem to knock it back but it comes back with a vengence. We picked up a
new
master test kit tonight and here are my readings...
PH-9
GH- 4 drops, 80
KH-5 drops, 50
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0
I know my GH and KH is low but for the life of me I can't remember the
formula for adding baking soda. Can someone please offer some guidance
to
a
very frustrated PORG. )
Janet in warm and clear Niagara Falls.

--

Hi Heather - I do only feed my lilies and Lotus (lotus are in pots on deck)
I can't turn my stream/ waterfall off as they are fed by the bio-filter that
I only clean at seasons end. I have been always able to keep the algae down
in the stream and waterfall by using the hose on "jet" setting , but not
this year - I have never seen it like this in 10 yrs. oh well, maybe it'll
slow down as the rains end
Gale :~)
"Heather" wrote in message
news
Another chime from an Ontarian...

I was told to only fertilize lily and lotus and let the rest fend for
themselves. This does seem to keep the algae down. Also if you can turn
your stream off for six hours during a hot sunny day this should knock it
out some. Every time I clean my filter, my stream is down so I give it a
good blast with the hose set on "Jet". This has helped keep it under
control.

Heather
Woodstock, ON

"Gale Pearce" wrote in message
...
Hi Janet - I was just thinking the same thing myself yesterday - I have
never had the algae build-up in my stream like I have it this year - it
actually causes my stream to leak. I don't notice it in the pond itself,
just the stream and waterfall
Gale :~) (another Ontarian)
"Janet" wrote in message
...
I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible. It's
completely taken over the stream and is slowly choking out plants in
the
main pond. Oddly though, the VF is really not affected. I've been
experimenting with the kitty litter and it's only mildly effective. It
does
seem to knock it back but it comes back with a vengence. We picked up
a
new
master test kit tonight and here are my readings...
PH-9
GH- 4 drops, 80
KH-5 drops, 50
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0
I know my GH and KH is low but for the life of me I can't remember
the
formula for adding baking soda. Can someone please offer some guidance
to
a
very frustrated PORG. )
Janet in warm and clear Niagara Falls.

--

I've only fed the lily, everything else is left to fend for itself as well.
I've never seen it this bad either Gale. FUnny thing is last night we went
up to Big Al's in Hamilton for the shark feeding and got talking with the
"fish guy". A woman was in getting her pond water checked. Her PH was a tad
bit higher than mine and her GH and KH were also low. Now I'm wondering if
it is all the rain that's thrown everything out of wack as my pool is out of
wack too. Hmmmm.....scratches head......
Janet in muggy,rainy Niagara Falls where the comets are spawning again!

--

"Gale Pearce" wrote in message
...
Hi Heather - I do only feed my lilies and Lotus (lotus are in pots on
deck)
I can't turn my stream/ waterfall off as they are fed by the bio-filter
that
I only clean at seasons end. I have been always able to keep the algae
down
in the stream and waterfall by using the hose on "jet" setting , but not
this year - I have never seen it like this in 10 yrs. oh well, maybe it'll
slow down as the rains end
Gale :~)
"Heather" wrote in message
news
Another chime from an Ontarian...

I was told to only fertilize lily and lotus and let the rest fend for
themselves. This does seem to keep the algae down. Also if you can
turn
your stream off for six hours during a hot sunny day this should knock
it
out some. Every time I clean my filter, my stream is down so I give it
a
good blast with the hose set on "Jet". This has helped keep it under
control.

Heather
Woodstock, ON

"Gale Pearce" wrote in message
...
Hi Janet - I was just thinking the same thing myself yesterday - I
have
never had the algae build-up in my stream like I have it this year -
it
actually causes my stream to leak. I don't notice it in the pond
itself,
just the stream and waterfall
Gale :~) (another Ontarian)
"Janet" wrote in message
...
I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible.
It's
completely taken over the stream and is slowly choking out plants in
the
main pond. Oddly though, the VF is really not affected. I've been
experimenting with the kitty litter and it's only mildly effective.
It
does
seem to knock it back but it comes back with a vengence. We picked
up
a
new
master test kit tonight and here are my readings...
PH-9
GH- 4 drops, 80
KH-5 drops, 50
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0
I know my GH and KH is low but for the life of me I can't remember
the
formula for adding baking soda. Can someone please offer some
guidance
to
a
very frustrated PORG. )
Janet in warm and clear Niagara Falls.

--

BV, I gotta side with Gale here! ;o) This stuff is rampant this year. It's
getting so bad that we need to clean the fliter daily. It is building up in
the filter itself and clogging it up! O I am literally pulling a 5 gallon
bucket of it out of thestream every other day. Can you say Yuck!
Janet in humid, rainy Niagara Falls. )

--

"Gale Pearce" wrote in message
...
Hi BV - I always considered it good stuff, although not very good looking
as
it is supposed to help with filtration like plants do, so in past years
I've
just hosed it off when it got excessive - usually a couple of times a
season, but this year it builds up like a mat in the stream and on the
waterfall in a few days slowing down the waterfall and plugging up the
stream until it leaks over the edge. I have been pulling it out by the
handfulls every 2 to 3 days - The only real difference I can think of this
year has been the constant rainfall up until last week, Maybe this has
been
adding nutrients in large amounts that this stuff thrives on. If so, as
the
weather gets drier it should abate some
Gale :~)
"Benign Vanilla" wrote in message
...

"Janet" wrote in message
...
I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible. It's
completely taken over the stream
snip

I have been a bit neglectful of the pond lately, and yesterday I noticed
my
stream is filling with string algae. So far the VF and the main pond are
just fine, crystal gin clear to the bottom. So I am starting to
wonder...maybe SA is not so bad when in the right place?

BV.

"Janet" wrote in message
...
BV, I gotta side with Gale here! ;o) This stuff is rampant this year. It's
getting so bad that we need to clean the fliter daily. It is building up
in
the filter itself and clogging it up! O I am literally pulling a 5
gallon
bucket of it out of thestream every other day. Can you say Yuck!
Janet in humid, rainy Niagara Falls. )
snip

Right now my stream looks awful because 1) it's only half done, and 2)
because of the string algae. I am trying to resist pulling the algae out. I
want to see what happens.

BV.

Janet,

My test kit measures one drop KH is one degree of hardness or 17 ppm, which
would make your KH 85 rather than 50. With your pH, you can safely add all
the baking soda you want. There is a calculator at Roark's site
http://www.click2roark.com/cgi-win/w...ocument=index2
which does require a logon, but it is free. I would add a pound per 1000
gallons and recheck the KH. The Kh should be at least 6 or 7 drops.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html
"Janet" wrote in message
...
I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible. It's
completely taken over the stream and is slowly choking out plants in the
main pond. Oddly though, the VF is really not affected. I've been
experimenting with the kitty litter and it's only mildly effective. It
does
seem to knock it back but it comes back with a vengence. We picked up a
new
master test kit tonight and here are my readings...
PH-9
GH- 4 drops, 80
KH-5 drops, 50
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0
I know my GH and KH is low but for the life of me I can't remember the
formula for adding baking soda. Can someone please offer some guidance to
a
very frustrated PORG. )
Janet in warm and clear Niagara Falls.

--

Thanks Rich. My test kit (Laguna) says number of drops multiplied by 10 to
determine carbonate hardness in mg/L (ppm). At 4 drops it turned the
faintest yellow so my best guess is that my KH is between 40 and 50. I never
even thought of Roark's site (knocks head against wall). I guess it time
really sit down and organize the bookmarks. )
Janet in humid Niagara Falls

--

"RichToyBox" wrote in message
news:yO%Gc.25585$JR4.16831@attbi_s54...
Janet,

My test kit measures one drop KH is one degree of hardness or 17 ppm,
which
would make your KH 85 rather than 50. With your pH, you can safely add
all
the baking soda you want. There is a calculator at Roark's site

http://www.click2roark.com/cgi-win/w...ocument=index2
which does require a logon, but it is free. I would add a pound per 1000
gallons and recheck the KH. The Kh should be at least 6 or 7 drops.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html
"Janet" wrote in message
...
I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible. It's
completely taken over the stream and is slowly choking out plants in the
main pond. Oddly though, the VF is really not affected. I've been
experimenting with the kitty litter and it's only mildly effective. It
does
seem to knock it back but it comes back with a vengence. We picked up a
new
master test kit tonight and here are my readings...
PH-9
GH- 4 drops, 80
KH-5 drops, 50
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0
I know my GH and KH is low but for the life of me I can't remember the
formula for adding baking soda. Can someone please offer some guidance
to
a
very frustrated PORG. )
Janet in warm and clear Niagara Falls.

--

[original post is likely clipped to save bandwidth]
On Tue, 6 Jul 2004 22:44:45 -0400, "Janet" wrote:

I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible. It's
completely taken over the stream and is slowly choking out plants in the
main pond. Oddly though, the VF is really not affected. I've been
experimenting with the kitty litter and it's only mildly effective. It does
seem to knock it back but it comes back with a vengence. We picked up a new
master test kit tonight and here are my readings...

I've had great success with koi clay or Wallmart's Special Kitty" litter
completely clearing waterfalls and all moving areas - see new post "Koi
Clay vs Kitty Litter"

gerry

--

Personal home page - http://gogood.com

gerry misspelled in my email address to confuse robots

Hi Heather - I do only feed my lilies and Lotus (lotus are in pots on deck)
I can't turn my stream/ waterfall off as they are fed by the bio-filter that
I only clean at seasons end. I have been always able to keep the algae down
in the stream and waterfall by using the hose on "jet" setting , but not
this year - I have never seen it like this in 10 yrs. oh well, maybe it'll
slow down as the rains end
Gale :~)
"Heather" wrote in message
news
Another chime from an Ontarian...

I was told to only fertilize lily and lotus and let the rest fend for
themselves. This does seem to keep the algae down. Also if you can turn
your stream off for six hours during a hot sunny day this should knock it
out some. Every time I clean my filter, my stream is down so I give it a
good blast with the hose set on "Jet". This has helped keep it under
control.

Heather
Woodstock, ON

"Gale Pearce" wrote in message
...
Hi Janet - I was just thinking the same thing myself yesterday - I have
never had the algae build-up in my stream like I have it this year - it
actually causes my stream to leak. I don't notice it in the pond itself,
just the stream and waterfall
Gale :~) (another Ontarian)
"Janet" wrote in message
...
I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible. It's
completely taken over the stream and is slowly choking out plants in
the
main pond. Oddly though, the VF is really not affected. I've been
experimenting with the kitty litter and it's only mildly effective. It
does
seem to knock it back but it comes back with a vengence. We picked up
a
new
master test kit tonight and here are my readings...
PH-9
GH- 4 drops, 80
KH-5 drops, 50
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0
I know my GH and KH is low but for the life of me I can't remember
the
formula for adding baking soda. Can someone please offer some guidance
to
a
very frustrated PORG. )
Janet in warm and clear Niagara Falls.

--

BV, I gotta side with Gale here! ;o) This stuff is rampant this year. It's
getting so bad that we need to clean the fliter daily. It is building up in
the filter itself and clogging it up! O I am literally pulling a 5 gallon
bucket of it out of thestream every other day. Can you say Yuck!
Janet in humid, rainy Niagara Falls. )

--

"Gale Pearce" wrote in message
...
Hi BV - I always considered it good stuff, although not very good looking
as
it is supposed to help with filtration like plants do, so in past years
I've
just hosed it off when it got excessive - usually a couple of times a
season, but this year it builds up like a mat in the stream and on the
waterfall in a few days slowing down the waterfall and plugging up the
stream until it leaks over the edge. I have been pulling it out by the
handfulls every 2 to 3 days - The only real difference I can think of this
year has been the constant rainfall up until last week, Maybe this has
been
adding nutrients in large amounts that this stuff thrives on. If so, as
the
weather gets drier it should abate some
Gale :~)
"Benign Vanilla" wrote in message
...

"Janet" wrote in message
...
I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible. It's
completely taken over the stream
snip

I have been a bit neglectful of the pond lately, and yesterday I noticed
my
stream is filling with string algae. So far the VF and the main pond are
just fine, crystal gin clear to the bottom. So I am starting to
wonder...maybe SA is not so bad when in the right place?

BV.

Janet,

My test kit measures one drop KH is one degree of hardness or 17 ppm, which
would make your KH 85 rather than 50. With your pH, you can safely add all
the baking soda you want. There is a calculator at Roark's site
http://www.click2roark.com/cgi-win/w...ocument=index2
which does require a logon, but it is free. I would add a pound per 1000
gallons and recheck the KH. The Kh should be at least 6 or 7 drops.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html
"Janet" wrote in message
...
I am at my witt's end these days. The string algae is incredible. It's
completely taken over the stream and is slowly choking out plants in the
main pond. Oddly though, the VF is really not affected. I've been
experimenting with the kitty litter and it's only mildly effective. It
does
seem to knock it back but it comes back with a vengence. We picked up a
new
master test kit tonight and here are my readings...
PH-9
GH- 4 drops, 80
KH-5 drops, 50
ammonia-0
nitrite-0
nitrate-0
I know my GH and KH is low but for the life of me I can't remember the
formula for adding baking soda. Can someone please offer some guidance to
a
very frustrated PORG. )
Janet in warm and clear Niagara Falls.

--