Pond Surface Film
I've just installed a small prefabricated pond in my garden, no fish but
a few plants. Intention is just to attract wildlife and I saw a frog dive in yesterday evening :) Trouble is I am getting a greenish film on the surface, a net doesn't pick up anything. The pond gets full sun until early afternoon and hen light shade, it is not directly overhung by trees. Anyone any ideas as to the film and a possible remedy. Geoff Lane |
Pond Surface Film
"Geoff Lane" wrote I've just installed a small prefabricated pond in my garden, no fish but a few plants. Intention is just to attract wildlife and I saw a frog dive in yesterday evening :) Trouble is I am getting a greenish film on the surface, a net doesn't pick up anything. The pond gets full sun until early afternoon and hen light shade, it is not directly overhung by trees. Anyone any ideas as to the film and a possible remedy. Caused by Algae, the cure is not to introduce any more fertilizer (tap water) and to cover most of the pond surface with something else like a Water Lily. There are ones for almost any depth of pond so you should be able to find one for yours although specialists in water lilies are rather rare... This is one I have used in the past and they have a comprehensive stock especially if you visit .... http://www.lilieswatergardens.co.uk/ or if you fancy a holiday in France the nursery where most originated from is back up and running ... http://www.latour-marliac.com/photoparc.php?idlangue=0 -- Regards Bob Hobden W.of London. UK |
Pond Surface Film
On 04/07/2010 23:18, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Geoff Lane" wrote I've just installed a small prefabricated pond in my garden, n Trouble is I am getting a greenish film on the surface, a net doesn't pick up anything. Caused by Algae, the cure is not to introduce any more fertilizer (tap water) and to cover most of the pond surface with something else like a Water Lily. Thought it might have been algae but as fine net skimmed off nothing wasn't sure, it looks like an oily film. I have one small Water Lilly with about 7 seven small leaves on the surface. Loads of birds drinking from it though :) Thanks for links, will have a look. Geoff Lane |
Pond Surface Film
"Bob Hobden" wrote Caused by Algae, the cure is not to introduce any more fertilizer (tap water) and to cover most of the pond surface with something else like a Water Lily. There are ones for almost any depth of pond so you should be able to find one for yours although specialists in water lilies are rather rare... This is one I have used in the past and they have a comprehensive stock especially if you visit .... http://www.lilieswatergardens.co.uk/ or if you fancy a holiday in France the nursery where most originated from is back up and running ... http://www.latour-marliac.com/photoparc.php?idlangue=0 Gave you the French link, sorry, this is the English site... http://www.latour-marliac.com/index....1&videpanier=1 -- Regards Bob Hobden W.of London. UK |
Pond Surface Film
"Geoff Lane" wrote in message ... I've just installed a small prefabricated pond in my garden, no fish but a few plants. Intention is just to attract wildlife and I saw a frog dive in yesterday evening :) Trouble is I am getting a greenish film on the surface, a net doesn't pick up anything. The pond gets full sun until early afternoon and hen light shade, it is not directly overhung by trees. Anyone any ideas as to the film and a possible remedy. Time is a great healer :-) When I built a pond (a long time ago) the books I read said that I should expect it to be green and murky for a while until it established a balance. After that it should be fine as long as no nitrates are added (which come in via tap water, compost which is not specifically for pond plants, dead leaves etc.). As already advised, you also need green plants to provide some shade and to remove the nitrates from the water. The ones you have in already will no doubt fullfil this function once they are established. First season is likely to be variable but after that it should settle down. HTH Dave R -- No plan survives contact with the enemy. Helmuth von Moltke the Elder |
Summer Algae.
Remedy water soluble food dyes (E133), non toxic to fish, however underwater plants will be effected as they cut out UV light. Caution please makesure that you use "food dyes" as other dyes could cause damage to the pod life - all food dyes have preceed with E, I have suggested E133 which is a blue colour. This dye will hold its colour for approximately 1 month before fading. Reputable sellars will be able to provide a "Material Safety Data Sheet - MSDS". Quote:
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Pond Surface Film
On 05/07/2010 12:02, David WE Roberts wrote:
Trouble is I am getting a greenish film on the surface, a net doesn't pick up anything. Anyone any ideas as to the film and a possible remedy. Time is a great healer :-) When I built a pond (a long time ago) the books I read said that I should expect it to be green and murky for a while until it established a balance. After that it should be fine as long as no nitrates are added (which come in via tap water, compost which is not specifically for pond plants, dead leaves etc.). As already advised, you also need green plants to provide some shade and to remove the nitrates from the water. The ones you have in already will no doubt fullfil this function once they are established. Your comment about the nitrates is exactly what my daughter's fiance says about his marine fish tank and indeedit may well need time to settle. I did previously have a pond (butal liner) in a shady area, don't recall problems with algae but leaves were a major problem. Got a leak so filled in hole and got a prefabricated one, pleased so far but one of the nice things about a pond is the reflection which is not too great at the moment :( Geoff Lane |
Pond Surface Film
On 05/07/2010 13:25, Snoddie wrote:
Summer Algae. Remedy water soluble food dyes (E133), non toxic to fish, however underwater plants will be effected as they cut out UV light. Caution please makesure that you use "food dyes" as other dyes could cause damage to the pod life - all food dyes have preceed with E, I have suggested E133 which is a blue colour. This dye will hold its colour for approximately 1 month before fading. Reputable sellars will be able to provide a "Material Safety Data Sheet - MSDS". That's interesting, I have no fish and presently a couple of underwater plants but obviously am open to suggestions as the reflection from the pond is an attractive feature. Geoff Lane |
Pond Surface Film
"Snoddie" wrote ... Summer Algae. Remedy water soluble food dyes (E133), non toxic to fish, however underwater plants will be effected as they cut out UV light. Caution please makesure that you use "food dyes" as other dyes could cause damage to the pod life - all food dyes have preceed with E, I have suggested E133 which is a blue colour. This dye will hold its colour for approximately 1 month before fading. Reputable sellars will be able to provide a "Material Safety Data Sheet - MSDS". Blue frogs anyone? :-) -- Regards Bob Hobden W.of London. UK |
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