Filter for Pond and Waterfall Algae

[Theguitarman]

This is such a basic question, but I can’t seem to figure it out. I have a 4ft x 6ft, 1-2fr deep pond with a waterfall feature. The pump sits in the pond, and sends water to a spillway. Despite making sure to run the pump most of the day, and treating with an algae inhibiting product, algae has been building up.

I think I need a filter, but I am unsure where to put it. I would assume there is something made to put in the reservoir of this waterfall spillway, but unsure. Also, would that be enough, as the water isn’t forced through it, per se?

Any help appreciated!!!

 

[WaterGardener]

Do you have fish in the pond? If you do, the pump needs to run 24/7, not just for most of the day.

What type of algae are you dealing with? String algae is usually dealt with by removing it by hand. A brush is effective and I use a toilet brush designated for this job. The algae can be wound around the brush and pulled out of the pond.

Most here don't recommend using algaecides, especially if there are fish. There have been several people come here after adding algaecide and have a pond full of dead fish. Not supposed to happen, but it seems that it does.

The waterfall reservoirs I am familiar with have a matala mat in them for filtration. I'm surprised that yours didn't come with one. I would think you could buy one for it. I don't know if that would be enough filtration, but it would be better than nothing.

Adding more plants can also help, but it's a bit late in the year for doing that.

 

[Lisak1]

OK, so there’s two types of filtration that a pond needs. The first type is mechanical, which is filter pads in your waterfall box. But that type of filtration has no effect on algae.

The second type of filtration is biological. This is the filtration that’s provided by the plants and the bacteria that are in your pond. Plants Phytologie by our competing them for the nutrients. Bacteria aids in the process by breaking down those nutrients to make them available for the plants to take up.

When you say “algae keeps building up“ what kind of algae are we talking about? Where is the algae?

And a bit more about your pond, you gave us the size, but how many fish do you have in this pond?

 

[Theguitarman]

Thank you, and sorry for lack of info. There are no fish, this is just a decorative water feature.

I am unsure how to provide more details about the algae, other than to say that it is growing on the liner and water fall rocks. I am attaching pictures.

I just started using PondMax BactiMax+, but it says the bacteria are meant to populate a filter, so I figured I should add one. Some pads in the waterfall box would be fine, but I am not opposed to a sealed, pressurized filter in the line between the pump and the waterfall box. It may be overkill, but seems like it might have a better effect than just the waterfall box.

Thank you!

 

[GBBUDD]

imo you have a large outdoor aquarium. And as being such i'd treat it like one. water changes being a large part of the equation as much as filtration is. secondly its thwe type and quantity of fish your trying to keep.

often times where the pond is located, can be detrimental as well . like do you live across the street from a farm etc.

if you want clear clean water no algae you can always change it to a salt water pond or even use chlorine but you''ll never have plants in the water

 

[WaterGardener]

If you don't have plants or fish in the water you could just fill a spray bottle with bleach and spray the waterfall rocks. Turn off the pump first, of course, and leave it off for an hour or so. It won't be a permanent cure, but nothing is for algae. It would be an easy regular way to treat it.

 

[Lisak1]

To me those rocks look beautiful. It's an outdoor water feature; not a swimming pool.

 

[Theguitarman]

Ok, thanks everyone. I agree, I don’t mind the look of it, but I would still like to keep it under control. Mostly because it starts to smell a bit funky.

I appreciate the help, and it’s hard to convey tone in a forum, so I am not being snarky, but I am surprised that there is not a reasonably common solution to prevention of algae, especially in a fish less pond.

I will try to add some plants next year, but living in an area where it gets very cold in winter, I guess that will have to be something I do annually.

 

[frogluvinK]

Ok, thanks everyone. I agree, I don’t mind the look of it, but I would still like to keep it under control. Mostly because it starts to smell a bit funky.

I appreciate the help, and it’s hard to convey tone in a forum, so I am not being snarky, but I am surprised that there is not a reasonably common solution to prevention of algae, especially in a fish less pond.

I will try to add some plants next year, but living in an area where it gets very cold in winter, I guess that will have to be something I do annually.

 

[frogluvinK]

This is an easy fix. Run your pump 24/7. Add hardy waterlilies or aquatic forget me- not (very aggressive).These are winter hardy in Canada and will come back every year.Buy a black mesh pump bag online (readily available) and black filter material. Put the filter material over the intake of the pump, put it in the bag and put it back where it is now. Add beneficial bacteria every week (twice a week in the spring). Every spring you will have an algae bloom until the plants start to grow again and your pond regains it's balance. Don't use algicide and never use bleach. You will get birds and frogs etc and that would hurt them. Be patient, it may take a month to get the balance after winter.

 

[Theguitarman]

This is an easy fix. Run your pump 24/7. Add hardy waterlilies or aquatic forget me- not (very aggressive).These are winter hardy in Canada and will come back every year.Buy a black mesh pump bag online (readily available) and black filter material. Put the filter material over the intake of the pump, put it in the bag and put it back where it is now. Add beneficial bacteria every week (twice a week in the spring). Every spring you will have an algae bloom until the plants start to grow again and your pond regains it's balance. Don't use algicide and never use bleach. You will get birds and frogs etc and that would hurt them. Be patient, it may take a month to get the balance after winter.

Thank you!