Stupid question but any “quick fixes”?

[WVMountaineer92]

I have the green water and I know it’s nature taking it’s course. The pond has been running with bacteria I’ve placed in regularly for about 3 months. I have an 18w UV and pump running at about half strength (to help the UV) and I just can’t shake this green water. (125 gallons, 7-8 plants, 2 shubunkin)

 

[WVMountaineer92]

Here she is

 

[addy1]

Do you have a filter also?

 

[WVMountaineer92]

Yes a SmartPond 330 gph pump in a box filter with media and bio balls

 

[Sparky]

Way more plants. The algae is having a hay day because there’s is so much food. Including dead algae your killing with the UV. Snake eating it’s tail kind of deal. The algae can be combatted for real one way. Starvation. If I’ve learned anything here it’s that. It had to be beat into me. Trust me, it works. You could add bacon to my pondwater and passed it as split pea soup a month ago. The crips, cat tails, Jenny and lilies had other ideas once I put them in. My pond is 34” deep with a black liner and I can see my baskets on the bottom now.

 

[Lisak1]

One other note - these small ponds are way more sensitive to changes that a bigger pond would shrug off. Getting them in balance and keeping them there can be a real challenge! But the plus side is you don't need to do much to make it work - a couple of plants in that pond and the water will clear overnight!

 

[sissy]

can I ask you sine I see flowers next to the pond ,do you fertilize them .That fertilizer can get in the pond and feed the algae

 

[Sparky]

Good catch Sissy

 

[WVMountaineer92]

No fertilizer only potting soil and dirt

 

[sissy]

potting soil has fertilizer in it already and compost

 

[EricV]

Oh, save your money on the bacteria and buy plants with the savings.

 

[WVMountaineer92]

I also have the water iris in a pot with soil submerged in the pond because I don’t have a big area...would that also be contributing to the green water?

 

[WVMountaineer92]

Bog* stupid autocorrect

 

[Lisak1]

No - the dirt won't hurt anything, unless it's one of the fertilized planting mixes. That would definitely contribute to green water.

 

[addy1]

My little hot tub pond went from green to clear with the addition of plants. I have a Lowes bucket with some matala pads and a small pump running. But added a ton of plants.

The string algae that was trying to grow disappeared, loss its nutrients.