Algaecide use questions

[BarbAZCA]

The aquatic plants (and the cold weather) had kept algae at bay. We had a big rain that I think 'polluted' the pond with 'nutrients' from the air & then days in the 70s/80s - that started string algae on the waterfall. I got most of the algae off with a spiral brush. Then flocks of birds came to the top of the waterfall and left lots of their 'fertilizer', string algae came back with a vengeance. Brushing it daily didn't alleviate the problem. A few days ago I decided to use the algaecide. First application did nothing. Waited two days and did another application (without draining off any water) - that killed a lot. I will do a third and final hoping to get it all. Then the plants can once again do their job

1. The Tetra algaecide says to replace part of the pond water while using algaecide. Is that the day I'm going to add a 2nd or 3rd application, then apply?
2. When I pump the water out can I use it to water established pine trees or will it potentially cause harm?

 

[sissy]

don't use it aerator your pond and add plants . I use some peroxide to get the pond started but that is it . I keep some water plants growing in a big fish tank in my basement . Saves money over time . I have spitters I home made out of pvc and parts from home sprinkler watering systems . I have one weighted on the bottom of my pond the the pump goes to before it goes to the homemade stock tank filter . It just screws into the pvc adapter that was added to the pvc pipe and I did not need to use glue . I am afraid I have neglected my pond because of landscaping and tree trimming I am doing over 3 acres is a lot of work for 1 woman to do . There are others on here that are women that have just as much work to do

 

[sissy]

algaecides deplete OXYGEN

 

[Lisak1]

@BarbAZCA - rain doesn't pollute your pond. At most, it may drop dust or dirt into the pond from the air, or even smoke as has happened to some with the recent wildfires all over north America.

There's not a person here - at least I don't think there is - who would recommend algaecide in a pond with fish. You really are playing with fire. None of the things you mentioned as "problems" (i.e., rain, birds, temperatures rising) will ever change - do you intend to use algaecide on a continual basis? If so you will destroy your eco-system. Learn to address the true issue - too many fish, not enough plants, overfeeding, excess organic material (which by the way you are making worse with algaecide, as it leaves you with more dead algae in your pond which only feeds the new algae) or maybe just plain old TIME before you decide the algae is a "problem". It's a symptom - you aren't fixing the issue by eliminating the symptom. Think of your body - you have an infection which leads to a fever. Your fever is telling you something is wrong somewhere. You take an aspirin and successfully reduce the fever - for the moment. But have you addressed the real problem? No. And it's llikley to come back with a vengeance.

And no - I wouldn't pump that water anywhere.

 

[sissy]

Let the fish clean there own house . Feeding less will never harm a fish but bad water conditions can cause fish to jump out of the pond . get a test kit to find out what is causing the green water . bBut really beginning of the season everyone has green water and then comes spawning season and you get foam . Tesing kits for water is the best source of what is going on . Algaecides are nothing but a quick fix that can kill fish like lisak stated .

 

[j.w]

Just say "NO" to algaecide's! And a lot of other chems too.

 

[Mmathis]

Algae after winter is normal, and it’s a normal part of a pond’s ecosystem. It’s best to use nature to control it. Add extra aeration. Don’t overfeed. Add plants. Limit sunlight (if necessary). If you are over stocked, address that issue.

If you do a search (on here and / or on the internet in general), you’ll find lots and lots of articles and posts where algaecides have caused more problems. In fact, many people post because they used an algaecide and come here for help when [for example] their fish die.

Sorry that my answer doesn’t directly address your question.

 

[sissy]

To me it is horrible that pond builders and pond stores sell this stuff . They seem to not care except for the all mighty dollar . TEST KITS ARE CHEAPER THAN KILLING YOUR FISH