Algea control help from the pond gurus

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W

WestTex

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jun 15, 2008
135
0
16
New Braunfels, Texas
About a year ago I built a nice 500 gallon pond for my Grandmother behind her house. She has about a dozen goldfish in it. They made it through their first winter fine. She is running into a problem with algea growth. I havn't seen this for myself and I can't tell you the exact type of algea she is dealing with. When I get more information I'll post it but as of right now can you guys think of anything wiether it be a chemical or a type of algea eater that would work to help rectify the problem?

The pond doesn't have a heater, and the pump/filter set up were both bought with a kit from Lowes.
 
String algae, she knows what she's talking about. :D

It's a floating algae, you physically clean it out and a UV will help keep it from coming back. Also lower the nutrients in the pond (one may be over-feeding). If you can place some barley straw in the water flow of the filter it will help long term (months).

Who cleans the filter?

Dr Joe

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Thanks Joe. She cleans it herself...at least as far as I know...I have been looking but I cannot find anything that would eat string algae. Is there a cold water species that will eat this stuff?

I'll relay to her your advice on keeping the pond clear. Would coastal hay or haygrazer hay work in the water flow?
 
Needs to be Barley straw. It can also be purchased in a powder form. Are there any plants in the pond?
 
How old is Grandma?

Isn't this MFK, not Match.com Doc? J/K
 
She is 73, runs a small ranch where i grew up, and in my opinion can still probably outwork half the MFK membership. I dug the pond and gathered a few rocks...she went out and got a good percentage of flat sandstone out of the pasture on her own. She loves her pond ;]
 
WOW, I guess I won't worry about over-working her :ROFL:.

See how often she is cleaning the filter as string algae can clog it real quick.

Dr Joe

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