The Fight against Pond Algae (Part 2: The Solution) - Fish N' Plants

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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The Fish Factor: Goldfish

A pond is not complete without fish to occupy it. Whether it's a pond built by man or Mother Nature, most ponds contain fish. Choosing what kind of fish you put in your pond depends on how much you want to spend, the size of the pond, and your personal preferences. Let's look at pricing first. Pricing can range from a few dollars to thousands of dollars, and that can be for just one fish! Let's have a small breakdown on the type of fish you can get for your pond.

There are many types of fish you can put in a pond. Let's first start with goldfish. Goldfish are considered fresh water fish, which means you don't need salt in your pond for them to survive. Now, there are several types of goldfish, with prices that might range. Let's look at a few different types of goldfish:

Comets

You have large red and white comets, which might cost around $10.00. They are around 4" in size. There are also Shubunkin Pond Comets, which can cost around $10.00 and range from 3.5" to 4". Comets are the least expensive fish for ponds, and won't damage your plants. They grow about double their original size (around 6" to 8"). They can be mixed with your koi fish, but there are other fish you can put in their as well. We have catfish and koi in our pond.

Fantails

Fantails are the least aggressive of pond fish, and are considered delicate. This is a good pond fish for beginners, being that they can survive in extremely cold climates. These fish can cost around a few bucks, since they are smaller in size compared to comets. These fish are around 2.5" to 3", and grow no longer than 6".

Black Moors

Black moors, like fantails, are considered pond fish for beginners because of their survival in extremely cold climates. This makes it safe to keep them in an outdoor pond.
Prices can range from $10.00 to $20.00 depending on the size you buy it at. They range from 2" to 4". They won't grow more than 4" though.

Orandas

These fish are very delicate and have a hood that can be subjected to infection from bacteria or fungi that settles within. They are not recommended for beginners, and pricing can range from $5.00 (1.5" to 3"), to $30.00 (4" to 6").

If you have a small sized pond, between 30 to 150 gallons, then goldfish are a safe way to go. If you have a medium (150 to 500 gallons) or large pond (500 to 1,000+ gallons), you might prefer going with koi fish. We'll cover that soon. Our next blog will discuss garden islands. A garden island can do wonders for appearance with your pond. We'll get more in-depth with it next time.