Problems with Algea

denny

Winter in PA
Joined
May 27, 2015
Messages
17
Reaction score
15
Location
Glassport
Hardiness Zone
6
Country
United States
Hello I am new to this forum, but i have a 1200 Gallon Goldfish pond for the past 13 years now. Up until the last two years i never had a problem with algae. I bought a 36 watt from jeabo in 2013 & have had algae since. So this year i bought a 36 watt from odessea. It has been running for about a week & i don't it has gotten any better. Does anyone have any advice?
 
Joined
Sep 14, 2013
Messages
6,208
Reaction score
4,963
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hardiness Zone
6 A
Country
United States
Welcome :) Could you provide us with a few more details about your pond, so we may better help you? It's possible your fish have grown , or multiplied, over the years...leading to more algae. Again, welcome.
 

denny

Winter in PA
Joined
May 27, 2015
Messages
17
Reaction score
15
Location
Glassport
Hardiness Zone
6
Country
United States
Welcome :) Could you provide us with a few more details about your pond, so we may better help you? It's possible your fish have grown , or multiplied, over the years...leading to more algae. Again, welcome.
My pond was cleaned out two years & we went back two six fish, but now there are about 35. My pump is about 800 Gallon per hour and is about 24' below the light. Is it possible that the light ballast is not doing what it is supposed to do ?
 
Joined
Jun 11, 2012
Messages
7,046
Reaction score
7,233
Location
Water Valley, Alberta
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
2a
Country
Canada
35 fish is a lot for 1200 gallons. Your pump turnover is low, is should be 1200 - 2000 gph, so you could have a buildup of detritus that is fuelling the algae growth.
Are you talking about floating algae or hair algae?
How much do you feed your fish?
Do you have any plants?
Have you done any water tests?
A picture would help.
 
Joined
Sep 14, 2013
Messages
6,208
Reaction score
4,963
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hardiness Zone
6 A
Country
United States
UV lights are not effective on string / hair algae , not sure if this is the type of algae you have. If the pond is overstocked, there is more fish waste, which in turn feeds an algae bloom. I have found aeration to be helpful with algae, could you consider an aerator?
 

denny

Winter in PA
Joined
May 27, 2015
Messages
17
Reaction score
15
Location
Glassport
Hardiness Zone
6
Country
United States
35 fish is a lot for 1200 gallons. Your pump turnover is low, is should be 1200 - 2000 gph, so you could have a buildup of detritus that is fuelling the algae growth.
Are you talking about floating algae or hair algae?
How much do you feed your fish?
Do you have any plants?
Have you done any water tests?
A picture would help.
Floating algae and i only feed what they can eat in about ten minutes. Never did water test. I posted a picture. thanks
 
Joined
Jun 11, 2012
Messages
7,046
Reaction score
7,233
Location
Water Valley, Alberta
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
2a
Country
Canada
I guess you're talking about your avatar as the picture.
Limited information, so I would say overstocked and low water flow is contributing to your algae problems.
Reduce the number of fish, reduce the feedings, do a large water change, increase water flow so your filter can clean the water better. (as long as your filter is sized properly)
Add plants so they can compete with the algae for nutrients.
Make sure your UV is rated sufficiently for how much water you are pushing through it. Certainly make sure that the UV bulb is lit. There should be a window somewhere on the casing so you can have a look.
 
Joined
Nov 11, 2010
Messages
4,068
Reaction score
4,008
Location
Chicago Area
Hardiness Zone
5b
Country
United States
Hi Denny. Welcome!! I agree with Mitch's comments above. Algae is a direct result of more nutrients than your pond can handle. I always know when my pond cycles because the hair algae dissapears almost overnight. An easy thing to do is reduce feeding. Almost no one recommends 10 minutes worth of food. Usually enough food for 2-3 minutes of eating is plenty. If you are worried they are not eating enough you can increase the number of times per day you feed them. It's very common that what works for your pond when your fish are smaller doesn't always work later on when they have grown.
 

addy1

water gardener / gold fish and shubunkins
Moderator
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
44,340
Reaction score
29,091
Location
Frederick, Maryland
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
6b
Country
United States
Welcome to our group! I only feed every other day or so and just once. They get a lot of food from the pond.
 

denny

Winter in PA
Joined
May 27, 2015
Messages
17
Reaction score
15
Location
Glassport
Hardiness Zone
6
Country
United States
Hi Denny. Welcome!! I agree with Mitch's comments above. Algae is a direct result of more nutrients than your pond can handle. I always know when my pond cycles because the hair algae dissapears almost overnight. An easy thing to do is reduce feeding. Almost no one recommends 10 minutes worth of food. Usually enough food for 2-3 minutes of eating is plenty. If you are worried they are not eating enough you can increase the number of times per day you feed them. It's very common that what works for your pond when your fish are smaller doesn't always work later on when they have grown.[/QUO
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Similar Threads

Ammonia problems 8
Pond problems 13
Lily problems 8
Pond Pump problems need advise! 7
Barrel pond problems. 9
Swim bladder problems 1
Mo Ponds Mo Problems =) 10
Water problems dying fish 14

Members online

No members online now.

Forum statistics

Threads
30,782
Messages
508,588
Members
13,042
Latest member
lucaryan

Latest Threads

Top