A little note about Algae

[tucker]

I took this off another site (with permission). Hobbit replied to a question from a ponder on how to remove the harmful algae from the sides, and the string algae. I thought his reply was pretty right on......just thougth I would share:



Algae is fish food. Algae doesn't cause bacteria that harms fish. Algae is beneficial to fish and other aquatic life.
Algae is just an irritant to the PEOPLE who own the pond.
In the REAL world where fish live, breed, raise families and grow old algae gets to do it's job and make all the wonderful things happen that keep the water clean and healthy for the fish.

In the back yard people do everything they can to destroy the harmony and ecology of the pond, creating an unhealthy habitat for their fish.

Leave your pond alone. It's not a bathtub. The sides are NOT supposed to be shiny and sparkling. Your guests won't put on a white glove and run their fingers around the rim.

And your fish will be able to have happy healthy lives.

[Jackie Ramo]

:lol: Mostly I agree, but too much of a good thing isn't good either. A bit of green water is great for the fish, some string algae is good food for them but when you get pea soup or the algae is so thick you can't see your fish, the pond isn't in balance and needs fixing.

[tucker]

Hate pea green water too, lol.
I think she was mainly talking about the good green algae that grows on the sides of the pond......her pond is only 1 year old. I know alot of new people get nervous when they see that nice blanket of "stuff" growing on the bottom and sides.....I know I did at first.
Karyl

[Jackie Ramo]

Yes, many do get worried that the rocks are no longer that pretty granite or whatever and some just don't like algae at all. Myself I don't mind the water having a green tint to it or a bit of string algae. I love the carpet algae.

Certainly I don't think dumping chemicals into the pond is a way to fix this. Being a poster on Koivet I can't count how many times people have killed all or most of their fish with an algacide.

[Terri]

I think Hobbit was dead on... I totally agree. Carpet algae is out friend LOL Not only that but the more you encourage it to grow the less problems you are likely to have with green water(suspended algae) - they do after all compete for the same food and if your carpet algae is flourishing then green water is less likely to take hold and spoil your view of your fishes :grin:

(I hate string algae, pita)

[Jackie Ramo]

Well string algae also prevents green water. Ever notice just how clear the water is when you have string algae. It does a great job of competing for food with the single cell type.

[Terri]

To be honest, we've never had string algae in the koi ponds, only the water gardens... what does that tell you? !rofl

[Jackie Ramo]

Your koi eat it????

[Dayleen]

Mine eat it too. Seems to be the large koi that gobble it up because in the pond with the koi that are all over 18" there is none but a fuzzy green carpet. In the ponds with small fish, it gets growing but then i just feed them less and they eat it. I have seen fish get stuck in it....not a pretty sight.

[Jackie Ramo]

Dayleen I though something was wrong with one of the fish this afternoon, but turns out he was just trying to get away from the string algae. I may have to name mine Audrey II :-?

[Busy B]

I'll probably never have carpet algea..I don't think we get warm enough for it but I've heard string likes cold water and I haven't got it.

Something to do with PH or what?

[Jackie Ramo]

I doubt you will get it on the inside pond Busy but the outside one might. I've got a bit now on the inside waterfall... but hardy half a handful when I pulled it off today.

I'm not sure if there is a pH influence on algae of any type.

[Busy B]

I'm not complaining :smile: just wondering...be nice to see the green carpet instead of the green tinge tho.

[Jackie Ramo]

First one then the other is what usually happens here.