during the summer our waterfall gets ''algae'' on it and looks ratty . during the winter the stuff hardens and peels off leaving pleasant looking stones . i wondered about putting some kind of liquid on it while it looks nice to abate the algae but don't want a detrimental effect on fish and frogs . i suspect it is a bad idea and i'd appreciate any suggestions . it is three tiered waterfall kind if like stair steps and i scrub it during summer with a very stiff brush but it never does look as nice as first thing in spring . as always i appreciate your thoughts . . . peace
waterfall stones
- Thread starter 2vettes
- Start date
Mmathis
TurtleMommy
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2011
- Messages
- 13,928
- Reaction score
- 8,103
- Location
- NW Louisiana -- zone 8b
- Hardiness Zone
- 8b
- Country
Have you tried spraying H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) on the stones, after turning off the waterfall, that is? Let it sit for a little while, then scrub it off. I think there are members on here to do this with good results. Personally, I like the look of the algae.....
"The nitrogen cycle in a koi pond is the process of breaking down fish waste, toxic compounds, and other debris by good bacteria. It is a natural process which occurs in well-balanced aquatic environments such as large ponds and lakes. The nitrogen cycle is responsible for the biological filtration within the aquatic system."
The algae is part of this process, and if you remove it their will be allot more waste in the water. This can result in an algae bloom in the pond that will turn the water green.
I think the best way to control algae is to introduce plants that look nice and consume the same nutrients that the algae does.
Decreasing the number of fish in the pond would also decrease the biological load on the pond.
I am personally against chemical treatment like algaecides. They disrupt the nitrogen cycle, and just treat a symptom of the problem.
The algae is part of this process, and if you remove it their will be allot more waste in the water. This can result in an algae bloom in the pond that will turn the water green.
I think the best way to control algae is to introduce plants that look nice and consume the same nutrients that the algae does.
Decreasing the number of fish in the pond would also decrease the biological load on the pond.
I am personally against chemical treatment like algaecides. They disrupt the nitrogen cycle, and just treat a symptom of the problem.
sissy
sissy
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2011
- Messages
- 33,086
- Reaction score
- 15,702
- Location
- Axton virginia
- Showcase(s):
- 1
- Hardiness Zone
- 7A
- Country
I turn off my pump and spray with peroxide wait a half hour turn on pump and rocks are clean
I do the same but may too a little elbow grease with a toilet brush for the bad parts. Key I found is sun
was getting the brown on three waterfall stones so went out and brushed them and they cleaned up very nicely . i have quilt batting in our ''oase'' filter and it catches everything . i do not understand why waterfall stones turn brown but batting material is catching GREEN algae and lots of it . if one doesn't watch filter closely it gets matted thick enough to cut off water supply to pump . i thought green indicated lots of sunshine and brown indicated to little sun . . . peace