If I use Shock for a pool and chlorine to reduce the algae, would it be safe to use these items in my water pond if I do not plan on adding fish or plants for a month?
Hardiness Zone: 6b
Firsttimepondowner from Wichita, KS
I'm in Zone 8. But when my grandmother's pond covered over with green slimy gunk, we went to the feed store and purchased something that was specific for a pond that would not harm the fish. I can not remember what it was, but the feed store is your best bet, or your county extension agent can help direct you.
By Tina Brown
I don't know if it's something you're willing to try, but my dad struggled with algae in our pond for years before finally building himself a bog filter for the water. It's clear as day in there now and all without harmful chemicals. I can't really tell you how he did it, but it was all done in one day once he got the supplies, so it can't be too difficult. (06/06/2007)
By Alicia
I don't know if this is within your budget, but it has worked for me. I had so much algae that I couldn't see my fish. Having fish and plants I couldn't use anything that would harm them so I got a UV filter. It was rather expensive, but it has been working like a charm for three years now. (06/06/2007)
Eek! The residue would definitely be a harm to the plants and fish. That kind of chemical harshness isn't necessary. There are products that you can buy at your local gardening store that won't harm the fish, or try your local pet store.
The other option would be to empty your pond and scrub it, and then install a fountain to keep the water moving (algae tends to build more when the water is still) or do a waterfall. I would also get some koi or other fish and a scavenger that likes to eat the algae. (06/07/2007)
By Concetta
You could try barley straw:
This isn't harmful to either plants or fish.
(06/07/2007)
By ThriftyFun
I think if you aerate the water with a small submersible pump made for ponds, and add a couple of carp fish that should take care of the algae. Algae is a source of food for fish, oxygen is needed to keep the water fresh and so if you get the pond back into some kind of balance, the algae will be controlled. (06/07/2007)
By Hedera
Thanks everyone! I am trying some stuff that is a bacteria, the good kind and is supposed to help. I also have a barley bail, but it was said that this will be more helpful as time goes on. Although my pond is still green, I was told it is safe enough for fish and plants. These two elements plus the bacteria supplemental are supposed to help balance everything out naturally. Apparently my pond looks worse than it is probably due to the rain we had and now it is hot and sunny. The bloom happened rather quickly, and I hope it goes away soon.
Thanks! (06/07/2007)
By newpondownerin wichita
I read your question and started to answer then it dawned on me you were talking about a small pond. I have a one acre, 20 foot deep, spring fed pond and controlling green gunk, etc. in it requires shading the water with a blue dye (4 gallons at $50.00 a gallon) and chemicals which do not hurt the fish (bass) or ducks/ turtles. We do aerate the pond with a large pump and it sprays the water up 25 feet into the air and when it comes down like rain it helps break up the green gunk.
By James S. Bow
Best thing you can do is barley bails. So natural and the water is absolutely so clear you can easily see to the bottom of a 4 ft depth. It might take a week or two depending on the severity of your "slime", but we tried chemicals and this beats it hands down! (07/11/2007)
By Lynn
The problem is all the silt that ends up in the bottom of your pond. The answer is to get oxygen down to the bottom of the pond so that the decomposition of all this organic material can begin. This cannot be accomplished with a surface fountain, they only recirculate the surface water and do nothing to get oxygen in the bottom of the pond.
By Bob
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