Clearing our green fish pond

[Zigs]

Every spring when the sun gets stronger our fish pond (that has about 30 fish in it) goes totally green with algal bloom.

We only top it up with rain water as tap water has a lot of nutrients, but the rain water also has nitrogen from pigeon poo so that doesn't help.

We've tried various enzymes which work a bit but cost a lot of money. I've tried a sack of Barley Straw, which didn't seem to do much other than go slimey.

This spring we set about building a filter...

 

[Anniekay]

I watched Monty Don deal with that. He scooped off the algae with a net then put barley straw in an old pair of nylon tights, put a stone in one end to keep it halfway sunk in the water, and Monty says that the chemical in the barley straw inhibits the algae bloom. Takes a few weeks to see results but it will work.

oh I got so excited I didn't finish reading. Maybe you just need more barley straw ??

 

[Zigs]

I watched Monty Don deal with that. He scooped off the algae with a net then put barley straw in an old pair of nylon tights, put a stone in one end to keep it halfway sunk in the water, and Monty says that the chemical in the barley straw inhibits the algae bloom. Takes a few weeks to see results but it will work.

oh I got so excited I didn't finish reading. Maybe you just need more barley straw ??

Been trying the bag of barley straw every year, not noticed any difference. If we used any more of it we wouldn't have room for the fish

This was this morning...

 

[YumYum]

If I remember correctly the barley gives off a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. You can buy the barley extract stuff at Lowes but I found it doesn't really work this time of year. I actually used a light dose of hydrogen peroxide (cant remember the strength) and it does kill algae but also killed my minnows that I used to go fishing with. Turned them white. The sun doesn't break down hydrogen peroxide as fast as it does free chlorine so it lasts longer in water.

 

[Tetters]

Over the space of many years, I have tried all sorts of methods to clear the pond water. The filter that we have now seems to work best, and that is coupled with an extra filter wrapped around the pump. The pump used to catch all the baby fish and newts etc, and was rather gruesome to clean out all the poor little bodies. I bought some fairly thick batting (used for upholstery) not the cotton sort though!!

 

[Meadowlark]

I always try to caution people contemplating adding a micro pond that they require a good deal of maintenance. Constant cleaning, changing out filters, replacing pumps, etc.

I pre-filter water to the pump and that filter needs cleaning every 10 days or so more often when the violent storms hit and blow debris into the pond.

Barley is somewhat effective on the constantly growing algae as are chemicals but they harm the fish...so I just go with filters and bite the bullet.

To help with algae in the summers I add Tilapia to the pond.

Several times I have contemplated just filling it in as a planter but always keep it going...it does add tranquility to an already tranquil setting.

 

[Tetters]

I started making this pre-filter a long time ago, before I even met Zigs, and have had to change and clean it at least once a week for a long time, as there are now a few too many fish in there. The original main filter is no longer working properly, and that's why Zigs thought up this home made job, which seems brilliant. We have tried to offer free fish to anyone who would like them for a new pond maybe, and advise them how to go about introducing the fish to a different environment, but nobody wants them, and they do seem to live a long time, and as they get bored, they just keep on making babies Extending this pond is not on the cards, because the space is limited in that area. The biggest concern is always the welfare of the fish of course, so filling the pond in is not an option!!

 

[olly-buckle]

but the rain water also has nitrogen from pigeon poo

Electrical activity in clouds fixes nitrogen, the main natural origin, feeding the plants that feed the birds and animals.

 

[Zigs]

Electrical activity in clouds fixes nitrogen, the main natural origin, feeding the plants that feed the birds and animals.

Yep, we notice how much the grass shoots up 4 days after a thunderstorm

 

[Zigs]

I always try to caution people contemplating adding a micro pond that they require a good deal of maintenance. Constant cleaning, changing out filters, replacing pumps, etc.

Our one has got a tap at the bottom for flushing through when needed

 

[olly-buckle]

I wind up the spirogyra and pull it out from time to time, or hoik out some leaves from the bottom with the net, but mostly it looks after itself. There are yellow and white waterlilies, dragonflies, and newts, so it can't be too unhealthy. and it is only about six foot by eight foot with a tiny island in the middle so I also have to top it up a bit in long, dry spells.

 

[Zigs]

Ours would probably be ok like that Olly apart from the 30 odd fish in there which poo a lot.

 

[Tetters]

If you don't have fish @olly-buckle I think it will be why your pond is easier to manage. I wish I had never introduced fish in the first place, but now they're there I am obliged to care for them as well as I can. Keeping the creatures well and happy has to come first - at least we have managed to do that, as only one or two big old originals (like me) have gone to the ocean in the sky!!
Oh heck - I just looked to see what Zigs wrote - he seems to like talking about poo a lot mind you, that's the main problem I think.

 

[DrCase]

 

[Tetters]

Cor, I do like looking at your garden Dr Case, It's so artistic!

 

[DrCase]

Thank you Tetters
I try hard to please my eyes with all my work

 

[DrCase]

 

[Tetters]

Wow, that's bigger than I thought it was !