Algae Control 101

[koiguy1969]

you may live to regret the excessive rocks....

 

[koiguy1969]

fish waste, decaying plant matter and such settle between the rocks and can become septic...it builds up and depending on your fish load can be a real nuisence to clean. in general it makes maintaining water quality more difficult. if you gotta have them.. just keep your fish numbers low!!

 

[DrDave]

The only place for rocks is where there is sufficient current or gravity to keep it clean. KoiGuy hit it right on the head.

 

[djoliver1]

how do you get good bateria into the pond to eat the organic matter and help keep the water clean?

 

[koiguy1969]

it will develope naturally...but you can buy bottled beneficial bacterial suppliment products as well....i have used ORGANICA Pristine Pond with good results. Microbelft, TetraPond, jungle, and many other companies make them.

 

[djoliver1]

thanks koiguy. I wasn't anticipating these problems so soon!

 

[koiguy1969]

oh...and at this time of year its likely theres little if any active bacteria in your pond. the cold kills and / or makes them dormant. i dont know how those Georgia winters are, but in water under 50* most are already inactive, under 45* theres virtually none active.

 

[djoliver1]

I guess that means I should not buy bacteria until springtime... thanks.

 

[addy1]

I guess that means I should not buy bacteria until springtime... thanks.

Most of the stuff you buy gives a temperature range as to when you should use it.

 

[djoliver1]

Does anyone know a good Internet-based Pond Supply Company with good prices on filters, uv lights, bacteria and other supplies?

 

[koiguy1969]

theres a few good ones on ebay...you can find just about anything you'd need there.decent prices.

 

[djoliver1]

thanks, I'll check it out. what do you think of uv systems for ponds, koiguy? is that going to help me with my frothy floating bubbles problem? or should I just put in a bio-filter and bacteria to start with?

 

[addy1]

I don't a uv and don't have frothy bubbles either, just a big bio filter. The uv is more to get rid of that floating small green algae that makes the pond water look green.

I would suggest a bio filter or a fines filter first, it sounds more like you have docs like they said above.

 

[taherrmann4]

I have always shopped around on the net and bought everything from there. My pump, skimmer, filter falls, liner all came from different places. Best price got my business.

 

[koiguy1969]

build your biofilter...theres several build threads in the DIY ( do it yourself) forum here. i have 2 builds there. 1, 55 gal drum, & 1, 70 gal stocktank build. they both perform excellant...the stocktanks are easy to hide right at the ponds edge as a waterfall filter basin. the 55 gals are taller, so arent as easy to hide, but still work great . so if you can hide it behind a privacy fence or a tall bush or two. great. U.Vs are one way to keep your water from greening up with single cell algea. and nice to have but not a neccessity...you can run them for a couple weeks in the spring as the water starts to green.when the waters clear. turn it off for the season. i dont use one anymore but liked the one i had. it was a 9 watt tetrapond from Lowes...under $100.00...kept my pond crystal clear. building your own filter is cheaper and they perform as well if not better than most store bought filters costing more!