Getting old sucks

[mrsclem]

Been doing this pond thing for 25 years +. I learn something new every week, mostly from this forum. Trying to get caught up on pond and yard work after 5 years of distractions. Just got around to pulling skimmer and UV that were put in this spring. Got all the equipment put away and now my one pond has gone totally green! Visibility at 3", last week I could see all the way to the bottom at 5'. Added lilies hanging from the sides of the pond and window box bogs are doing great. Why is my water green???? DUH!!!!!! Before and after pics of latest project. Possible full sun???

 

[MitchM]

Was there a reason you pulled your skimmer and UV?
It looks like you have sufficient aeration so you shouldn't have a serious depletion of oxygen during the night, so other than appearance the problem isn't critical.
Have you ever vacuumed the bottom of your pond? I wonder what the detritus buildup is like.

 

[Meyer Jordan]

This is one of the major downsides to using a UV. When it kills the planktonic algae, the dead algae settles on the bottom of the pond where it decomposes and releases nutrients back into the water column. As long as the UV is functioning, algae will be kept in check, regardless of nutrient levels, but when the UV stops working for whatever reason, the algae is allowed to grow and with the high nutrient content in the water an algae bloom quickly develops. This in turn will affect the Dissolved Oxygen level. As @MitchM mentioned, plenty of aeration will help.
This time-bomb is present in every pond that utilizes a UV.
It is much better to allow a pond to achieve a natural biochemical balance.

 

[mrsclem]

Pulled skimmer because we only use it to catch cherry blossoms from tree. ( one we took down). UV was used for 2 days and water cleared. Pond was netted so no detritus on bottom. Obviously pond is responding to change if being in shade 70% of time to 8+ hours of sun. We were concerned about rotted tree falling on pond and didn't consider changing sun exposure! It should gave been obvious, but-------

 

[Meyer Jordan]

UV was used for 2 days and water cleared.

But the nutrients remained in the pond. This is what is supporting the present bloom.

 

[MitchM]

A pond can be in full sun and still remain clear but if there are nutrients present, algae will grow.
Atmospheric dust plus rain running off the leaves from surrounding trees will contribute to nutrient levels in the pond.
Is there any way you can increase water circulation so your filter can capture suspended detritus and you can work towards clearing up the pond?

 

[mrsclem]

This is one of the major downsides to using a UV. When it kills the planktonic algae, the dead algae settles on the bottom of the pond where it decomposes and releases nutrients back into the water column. As long as the UV is functioning, algae will be kept in check, regardless of nutrient levels, but when the UV stops working for whatever reason, the algae is allowed to grow and with the high nutrient content in the water an algae bloom quickly develops. This in turn will affect the Dissolved Oxygen level. As @MitchM mentioned, plenty of aeration will help.
This time-bomb is present in every pond that utilizes a UV.
It is much better to allow a pond to achieve a natural biochemical balance.

I'm almost sorry I started this thread. It was meant to show that sometimes you overlook the obvious. This pond has been in heavy shade since it was built 6 years ago. Had 2 days of green watee this spring but when plants in window bogs kicked in, UV was turned off. Pond has been crystal clear to 5 ' depth- till we took down tree shading pond!
It just occurred to me why the change. As the thread states- getting old sucks!

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Was there a reason you pulled your skimmer and UV?
It looks like you have sufficient aeration so you shouldn't have a serious depletion of oxygen during the night, so other than appearance the problem isn't critical.
Have you ever vacuumed the bottom of your pond? I wonder what the detritus buildup is like.

Just noticed, @MitchM has a face!!! . Nice avatar photo.

 

[MitchM]

Thanks. The moose were taking all the credit.

 

[mrsclem]

A pond can be in full sun and still remain clear but if there are nutrients present, algae will grow.
Atmospheric dust plus rain running off the leaves from surrounding trees will contribute to nutrient levels in the pond.
Is there any way you can increase water circulation so your filter can capture suspended detritus and you can work towards clearing up the pond?

Going to wait till you see reply to Meyer- this is not a major problem and I know water will clear in a few days. I was just amazed at how sometime we overlook the obvious! Didn't intend to have everyone trying to problem solve for me. That's why I posted in chat with thread title.

 

[mrsclem]

Maybe a couple of glasses of chardonnay on the deck can actually clear the mind?????

 

[addy1]

lmao! mrsclem, we get caught up in things, and totally miss the obvious!

Mitch neat AV! love it! handsome guy!

 

[mrsclem]

Thanks guys for all the help. Just going to do what you always suggest and wait it out! Special thanks to Addy for realizing this was a OOPS! post! When your pushing 60, things don't always work right! Meyer& Mitch- Happy Fathers Day! Going to put up phone and laptop now!

 

[MitchM]

Maybe a couple of glasses of chardonnay on the deck can actually clear the mind?????

It won't hurt!

lmao! mrsclem, we get caught up in things, and totally miss the obvious!

Mitch neat AV! love it! handsome guy!

Thank you addy.

 

[sissy]

been there done that going to be 64 soon or can I reverse that 46 HMMM