We left off our last blog discussing ways to get rid of pond algae. I mentioned two ways to get rid of pond algae, that you probably already have in your pond or should have. What could those two things be? This should be easy to guess (hint: It's in the title). Give up?
The answer: Fish & Plants
Now, you might be thinking, "Doesn't pond algae make fish sick and kill them?"
Yes, if pond algae builds up and isn't taken care of, it will kill your fish eventually. But, the formula works two ways. Fish can eat up algae. The best type of fish to get the job done would be koi fish. Having one or two of these bad boys can do your pond some good, just as long as they play nice with the other fish. Make sure you don't have fish too small with your bigger kois, or your koi fish might perform a disappearing act on your small fry.
The stocking rate for fish should be 250 gallons per fish. This can depend on the size of the fish. Our pond has a koi and two catfish, along with other cold water fish (maybe 10 altogether) and it's only 500 gallons. So, this figure can be broken and some people might break it to give their fish a fighting chance against algae. Ether that, or they just like to have a lot of fish in their pond despite the size. For bigger ponds, you might see a couple dozen koi in one pond. Algae will dare not infect your pond when your numbers are that high.
Another quick tip: Watch how you feed your fish. Overfeeding can be an issue when it comes to pond algae. The waste a fish produces from the food you feed it helps to fertilize pond algae. But, high quality fish food produces less fish waste. So, if you are looking to save a few dollars by getting cheap fish food, think again. If you buy a puppy, you want it to grow up good, so you buy it good dog food. Whatever will best accustom to your fish is the safest way to go. If you are a little short on cash, but a small supply of lower quality fish food, until you can afford the good stuff. Or, get the second best type of fish food.
We also brought in plants as a factor in eliminating pond algae. Plants can shade a pond to take up the space pond algae uses in order to grow. They can also provide shade for the fish. the only drawback with plants is that they produce oxygen during the day, but consume oxygen from your pond at night. The one positive thing about plants is that they balance nitrate levels.
Another small drawback is your plant will decay and drop leaves into your pond, which will put more workload on your pond filter. One thing to keep in mind with filtration is that it can't be overloaded with decayed plant matter or it will crash and burn on you down the road. If you design your pond well, plants can be a great help. But, plants shouldn't be put into a pond just for show. Do some research and decide what plants and how many you want in your pond. It could be your saving grace, or your worst enemy.
The last blog in this pond algae topic will cover the last two factors in fight against pond algae. Find out what they are by checking back soon.
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