Interesting "phenomenon" with disappearing algae!

[bagsmom]

I don't know if this is all coincidental and just due to seasonal timing, or if it is a combination of many factors working together.

For the last month, I've had a ton of string algae. I always have some at this time of year, but it seemed a little heavy this year. I was skimming it out and throwing it on the garden and changing the blue pad in the filter daily. It was totally gunked up with algae every time. LOTS of bright green, lovely algae -- just more than I wanted.

Last week, I did a couple of things: I added another polishing pad to the waterfall filter, along with more spring media for good bacterial to colonize. I also added 7 large trapdoor snails from Trickers. (They are big!). In addition to that, all the oak trees around the pond started dropping their tassels, releasing tannins which have turned the water brown. It is very clear, but dark colored, like strong iced tea.

I went out today and the algae is GONE!!!!!! Gone. I'm wondering if the darkened water has prevented some of the sunlight from getting through? Was it beefing up the waterfall filter media? Did the snails eat it all? Whatever the reason, it was a nice Easter surprise!

 

[Jimmy Gibson]

I had the same thing this spring.....algae everywhere......my waterfall was covered in it....... but when my pond plants started growing the algae went away. When the nutrients went away so did the algae

 

[Jimmy Gibson]

If you have Koi....good luck with the trapdoor’s, I put 50 in last year they lasted about three months...... if they get turned on their back they become a tasty meal

 

[bagsmom]

@Jimmy Gibson - no koi. Just some li'l ole goldfish.

 

[SEKCOBRA]

I had lots of string algae over the winter and into spring both years. both times it all disappeared as soon as the water hit around 50. the fish woke up and ate it. I did not feed the fish at all until a week or so ago.

 

[MajorDan]

So glad to here that the algae goes away when plants kick in. The algae has completely covered the liners and waterfalls in my new ponds and string algae just showed up in waterfall. I am happy to see it as my ammonia is still to high for fish so I need it all to do it’s job.
Thinking it may take another week. No real sign that bacteria is doing much yet either. Cold water temps may have slowed things down.
Looks like another week with no fish

 

[addy1]

I have not seen any amount of string algae in any of my ponds. The slow flow ones have the aracharnis, another has a ton of parrots feather growing. I was told it would never live but it did.

The hornwort lives all winter, it sucks out a lot of nutrients.

 

[Lisak1]

It's always amazing to see how fast a pond can flip from lots of algae to barely none at all. Things just need to find their balance. We barely ever see string algae anymore. The first few years we would haul it out by the bushel full for the first few weeks of spring.

 

[RobAmy]

Same here. I had a bunch, almost completely gone in the pond now. A little left in the stream but almost gone. Balance is key. I have 2 lily pads that hit the surface.

 

[addy1]

I have one lily leaf in hot tub pond right in front of the cam. I watched it go from 1/2 the way up the cam picture to 2x's the length in 1/2 of a day. They grow fast!

 

[SEKCOBRA]

I have parrots feathers that I cut back in the fall. They are showing no sign of life. I'm guessing that they probably should have by now. Is it time to pull the plug and get them out of the pond?

 

[bagsmom]

I wouldn't give up on your parrot's feather just yet. We've already had temps in the 80s where I am and some of them are just coming back to life. Are the stems squishy and slimy? Or still firm? If squishy, I would get rid of them - but if not, maybe wait a little longer?

 

[SEKCOBRA]

Ok thanks

 

[Bluerooster]

I've got a fine crop of string algae. Growing everywhere, durn near killed the Hornwort.

 

[addy1]

I have parrots feathers that I cut back in the fall. They are showing no sign of life. I'm guessing that they probably should have by now. Is it time to pull the plug and get them out of the pond?

I never cut mine back, I just leave it floating around. All the floating pieces are putting out nice new growth. If something does not come back , like a stem, it gets tossed.
This is one of my slow flow no fish ponds, maybe 2 feet deep, used to be a preform. It is not running during the winter, freezes up big time.

This is the hot tub pond