String algae everywhere

[Lisak1]

The only time I worry about dealing with the string algae is when it gets thick on my waterfall. It will literally divert water out of the pond, much like an ice dam will if you don't watch it. We had a TON of string algae this year - I pulled it off by the armload. I think our warm winter was responsible for that. I just throw it around in the garden as I'm sure it's loaded with good nutrients.

Here's my "greenscape" before I started yanking!

 

[Bluerooster]

I end up with a little string algae. But it doesn't last long at all. I pull out some of it, the fish eat some of it, the rest just dies out when the other plants take over.

Once was a time when I went all crazy trying to rid my pond of algae. Then I got tired of all the work, and money spent, and sed "Ta heck with it". My pond cleared up, and hasn't been green since.

The idea behind a pond is to allow it to set up it's own little self sustaining eco system. Can't be done 100%, but can be done requiring very little input from us humans. So you learn to expect a little string algae, or green water from time to time, but for the most part it's just nature doing what nature does. As long as the fish. tadpoles, salamanders, snails, dragonfly larvae, etc. are doing well, don't sweat it.

 

[Bluerooster]

Took these today. I've done nothing except feed the fish once in a while, and net floating stuff, and scoop out some stuff from the bottom. No chemicals, no added bacteria, nuttin' for the past couple years. As seen in the pics, there is some algae, and some string algae. Used to be way worse, untill I just left it alone, and let nature do it's work. I used to panic, and add this algae killer, or that algae go away stuff. but when I quit doing that, it all equalized, and became clear, and fish are happy. (they were happy before, but I didn't realize the benefit of some algae. Which is a plant, just like any other plant, that takes nutrients from it's environment, and turns it into oxygen through photosynthesis.
I don't mind algae so much now, and know that once the pond plants get going good, the algae will go away.

 

[Sushi Prohibited]

I don't have any plants. Would that help with the algae?
Thanks.

 

[cas]

I don't have any plants. Would that help with the algae?

You bet!

 

[Lisak1]

It's too bad that pond owners have been conditioned to see algae as a problem in need of a solution. If anything it's just a symptom - too many nutrients and not enough biological filtration. Patience is the best "solution" for this "problem".

 

[poconojoe]

I don't have any plants. Would that help with the algae?
Thanks.

Absolutely! Algae is a plant which thrives on the excess nutrients in the water. When you add lots of other larger plants, they starve out the algae.

 

[BKHpondcritters]

I generally refer to string algae as the 'crabgrass of the pond'. As a cool season "weed" it takes advantage of cool early Spring growing conditions before the more vigorous warm season plants get going (who then starve out the less desirable weeds/plants)

Why so I find myself wanting to bust into a hearty chorus of the song "The Circle of Life" ???

 

[Sushi Prohibited]

What kind of plants would you all recommend? I don't want ones where the fish can hide, such as water lilies.
Thanks again.

 

[Lisak1]

I don't want ones where the fish can hide,

Why no hiding for your fish?

 

[Sushi Prohibited]

I like to see them.

 

[cas]

What kind of plants would you all recommend?

Without knowing the setup of your pond, some of these might not work. Some marginal plants that can be put along the edge of the pond are blue flag iris, aquatic mint, blue rush, forget-me-nots. Floating plants that could be used are water hyacinth and water lettuce. Submerged plants of hornwort or anacharis also are good.

 

[mheiderscheit]

Get a child size plastic fan rake. Great for removing string algae

Do you ever have it attach itself to the roots of your plants and lily pads? Any good way to remove it?

 

[mrsclem]

I planted our old koi pond with lilies this year and the string algae was everywhere. It looked like it was going to choke out the lilies. I put some azolla and frogbit in with the lilies and once they spread - the algae disappeared. The way to remove it is more plants!

 

[Lisak1]

Do you ever have it attach itself to the roots of your plants and lily pads? Any good way to remove it?

Same answer - more plants in the pond. Algae is just responding to the conditions that are available. Excess nutrients with no competition and you get algae. Which by the way is not a bad thing. Excess nutrients in a pond WITHOUT algae could spell trouble for your fish.

I like to see them.

Sorry I never responded to this comment. While we all like seeing our fish, giving them a place to hide is beneficial in several ways. 1. it gives them a place to get out of the sun, if you have your pond situated where it gets full sun at any part of the day. Fish can get sunburned, just like humans. 2. The shade that plants provide helps cool the pond, keeping it more comfortable (and maybe even livable) for your fish. 3. it gives them a sense of security so they don't feel so vulnerable and exposed, which leads to 4. it gives them a fighting chance if a predator finds your pond.

Even with places where your fish can hide in the pond, you will see them just fine. As they grow accustomed to their home, they will get bolder about swimming around and being seen. But your first concerns should be their health, comfort, security, and safety in the pond. If your fish don't have those basic things, how could you enjoy seeing them in your pond?