What Color is your Pond Algae?

[koikeepr]

I was just thinking about pond algae this morning as I was doing a 20% water change this afternoon.

Since i have white strapping as my bio media, I noticed that lovely light brown color algae on it that is the tell-tale sign of a nice bio-film where my bacteria are clearly happily colonizing.

On my pond walls, I've got a darker brown algae (with some green spots here and there), which is typical of algae on a new pond. Algae comes in lots of colors: green, blue, red, brown, black, etc. And as a pond matures, algae changes colors.

I was wondering what color/texture is the algae on your pond walls and media?

 

[Squidhead]

First thing that comes to my mind, I'm not totally positive, but I think The Propylene, the P in EPDM is silicate based. Silicate is the main food source for Diatoms. Diatoms those little water critters that are also called "brown algae" are always present, but there population explodes like green water algae does when there is excess nutrients. That would mean in a new pond, with all new plumbing, strapping media, tons of plastic parts and the liner all silicate based, the initial few months silicates will leach out until all surfaces "cure". Pretty harmless, just a ton of food to make the diatoms noticable. Most diatoms are usually thought of as just ocean critters, but they are in fresh water as well. New aquariums usually always go through this break in period. Then it usually slowly goes away or is so slight it isn't that noticeable

 

[koikeepr]

yes, the brown algea are diatoms, correct. Usually what you get in a new pond. Then it starts to morph if things are working properly. I can already see the green spots starting to show up, which is the next stage. So I'm on my way to the good stuff.

The stuff on my strapping media right now is different. Not brown, but a hazy tan, which is a sure sign of bio-film.

 

[3qtkidz]

you know you guys are just too smart. I love reading all of this knowledge and opionions.
But, my algea is a dark green looking color. A few brown spots here and there.

 

[koikeepr]

That's perfect. You want that nice deep green. Makes good gnoshing for the fish and means the bacteria are joyous. Can't wait to get where you are at!

 

[stroppy]

dark green on my liner, about the same on my strapping but a little browner

 

[Squidhead]

This sounds weird, but I'm envious of all you for your excellent algae growth. I still have piles of dirt, a large hole and a disaster area for a yard. If someone reads this that doesn't know about ponds they would try to have us institutionalized!

 

[stroppy]

i think the strapping is more brownish because the pond was up and running before i put the new drum filter in

 

[DoDad]

Here's the color green I like.

 

[Squidhead]

Very nice shade I must say. I can deal with that.

 

[koikeepr]

That is beautiful water, DoDad! Gin clear. Is that your small pond or you biggun'? Looks like the smaller one--and I say that tongue-in-cheek since the darn thing is nearly 5000g's. LOL!

I will need to be getting myself one of them shade sails too, I think. Yep, that's the green I'm aiming for. I can already see peeks of it on the walls and floor.

 

[DoDad]

I tried the triangle tan shade sail but the reflection made my water look muddy and with being a triangle I would need a few more post and sails.
I sold it and bought a square green one and I'm very happy with it,

That is beautiful water, DoDad! Gin clear. Is that your small pond or you biggun'? Looks like the smaller one--and I say that tongue-in-cheek since the darn thing is nearly 5000g's. LOL!

I will need to be getting myself one of them shade sails too, I think. Yep, that's the green I'm aiming for. I can already see peeks of it on the walls and floor.

 

[koikeepr]

Good advice!

 

[Sweet Lew]

Little late to the party, but I just did a 30-40% water change last night. The algae on the sides are bright green and in the middle of the pond it's dark green.