Spring time prep

[Jon-G]

Hello, as we get into warmer weather in Panama City Florida what steps should I ensure I take? I have 3000 gallon pond with 40 koi. I have three 50 gallon filtration and bog filter. My second year, and last year had really green water until I did new filtration. Pond is looking clear now but don’t want to be behind any big algae growth.

Thanks!!

 

[j.w]

@Jon-G
Tis a lot of koi in that size pond. Wondering how you will manage to keep it safe for the koi to breath? Are they large koi or still just young?

 

[Dowscanner]

I found filtration only makes a little difference in preventing green water. For me I have to keep the pond about 50-75% covered to prevent sunlight hitting the water causing the algae to grow. Usually treat with an algaecide early spring until surface and bog plants regrow.

 

[BarbAZCA]

I found filtration only makes a little difference in preventing green water. For me I have to keep the pond about 50-75% covered to prevent sunlight hitting the water causing the algae to grow. Usually treat with an algaecide early spring until surface and bog plants regrow.

I have a few smaller koi and more goldfish than I want (that reproduced 1 1/2 years ago).

I treated my pond one time last summer with an algaecide because of an algae overgrowth not being handled by filtration or plants. What I noticed: 8 months later: a bit of algae has started forming on the granite rock sides - the algaecide completely wiped out any 'natural' algae food source for the fish. My main plant coverage is a hardy water lily that covers 75% of the surface beginning late spring. The fish don't eat the leaves or the hornwort that winters over laying on the bottom of the pond or the mint that grows in the rocks around the edges of the pond and on the waterfall (it can become invasive over time, dies off in the winter). I did notice them cleaning off whatever might be growing on the large lily roots. I still get string type algae forming on the waterfall rocks - it needs to be torn off occasionally.

I'm not sure I will ever use an algaecide again becuase of the death of any natural food source for the fish. But, not sure what alternatives are available.

 

[Dowscanner]

An amorous great blue heron checking out our decoy