How to eliminate cyanobacteria in the pond?

How to eliminate cyanobacteria in the pond? How to limit them? Did you just come across this article because you saw cyanobacteria appear in your pond? They can be found in lakes and ponds. These algae can be dangerous for the aquatic fauna and flora of your pond.

Don't panic, we can help you with natural solutions to limit them very quickly. We recommend that you do not use chemicals.

With climate change and increasingly hot French and Belgian summers, more and more of you are asking us to reduce cyanobacteria or algae in your pond. This is obviously the case in other countries.

These cyanobacteria in large quantities in a body of water can even be toxic to human beings. It is strongly discouraged or forbidden to bathe in the presence of cyano. Globally, we are all experiencing the effects of global warming.

What are cyanobacteria?

Called blue algae or black algae, these algae are part of phytoplankton, aquatic organisms that function through photosynthesis. In the presence of large quantities of phosphorus, these algae will develop very quickly and the cells will multiply at " high speed".

So how do you eliminate them? We will explain everything to you in this article and especially to prevent these algae from coming back to invade your pond later.

How to identify cyanobacterium?

Below, discover a photo of a cyanobacterium. It looks like pea soup in a pond. They may turn blue or black over time and develop an odor of fresh or cut grass.

As its life cycle progresses, the density of growth thickens and can take on shades of yellow, white, and eventually aquamarine blue.

These algae "blooms" look like a thick foamy layer and look like paint on the surface of the water.

Consequences of the presence of cyanobacteria in a pond

Planktonic blue-green algae can kill fish and are the most harmful form of aquatic growth encountered during periods of strong sunlight.

Are cyanobacteria dangerous?

Blue-green algae blooms that occur in lakes and ponds can be toxic to fish and wildlife.

Cyano flowers produce toxins that can kill fish and plants if taken in too large amounts. These algae can kill your fish by drastically dropping the oxygen levels in your pond.

Why do I have cyanobacteria in my pond?

These cyanobacteria can grow when there are too many nutrients present in the pond water. You mow at the edge of your pond and the lawn falls directly into it? You will enrich your pond with phosphorus and feed these cyanobacteria.

It is also recommended to plant native trees along the edges of your pond and to avoid too regular mowing. Concrete walkways and paths allow surface water to easily enter your pond, carrying with it pollutants and nutrients that feed algae.

A stream crosses your pond? It is essential to add aquatic plants (to discover here) that you will put in the banks. These plants will reduce the amount of nutrients present in the water because they will feed on phosphates and nitrates, and other nutrients that promote cyanobacteria in your pond.

These algae can also appear for other reasons:

• heat wave
• drought
• too much fish food
• too much food for the ducks
• overpopulation of ducks or fish
• eutrophication of a body of water
• invasive aquatic plants

For each of these causes, there are solutions to act quickly and limit the development of cyanobacteria in the pond. In parks, feeding ducks and birds can create massive algae growth. These small, eaten but sometimes undigested fragments provide an additional supply of nutrients to the pond.

It is for this reason that many parks have surface aerators to promote bacterial development and limit organic pollution in the water.

How to treat cyanobacteria?

Is it possible to treat blue-green algae? Yes it is possible with bacteria and products that limit algae. Be careful not to use algaecide products. In fact, it is when the cyanobacterium dies that it releases its toxins into the pelvis. On a large scale, these algae eliminations can greatly deplete the oxygen level.

We recommend using bacteria (such as clean-lac or biolimpid) which will greatly limit the development of algae and the use of a suitable water jet or an aeration system for natural ponds. By increasing oxygenation and movement in the water, you will greatly reduce the development of cyanobacteria. All of these attack the cause rather than the symptoms of the cyanobacterium.

If possible, consider installing a natural pond aeration solution before adding the bacteria (a few hours before will be sufficient). Appropriate ventilation will allow the water to move, increase the oxygen level and reduce the presence of cyanobacteria.

Adding aquatic plants to your pond will help prevent excessive algae growth in the pond. Avoid organic pollution of watercourses by adding plants to the arrivals of this watercourse (bank).

Is it complicated for you to plant in the banks? Consider installing floating islands. Proper management of your pond is the key to optimal water quality. A floating island with suitable aquatic plants will reduce the amount of nutrients present in the water.

• Improve water quality
• Add aquatic plants
• Limit mowing around the pond

The roots of plants growing on the floating islands increase the surface area where good bacteria can grow massively, so below the floating island is a large population of bacteria that break down phosphorus into a usable protein for the fauna and Flora.

Below are the clean-lac bacteria that we often add after adding an oxygenator. These bacteria will make it possible to act strongly on the phosphates and nitrates contained in the water. They will have an effect on excess nutrients. This product will compete with algae.

In short, what are the risks and how to act quickly?

A presence of algae will create toxins in the pond (neurotoxins) which can cause serious problems for birds, fish but also for human beings who bathe in the area. Watch out for dogs when bathing your dog in areas where cyanos are present en masse. In humans there can be several problems:

• skin irritation
• headache
• nausea
• gastro

We recommend preventive actions so that these algae do not develop: use of aquatic plants, aeration of the body of water, regular water analysis, maintenance of fish and bird populations.

• Addition of macrohyte, oxygenating and purifying plants.
• Water analysis
• Maintenance of populations in the pond.
• Aeration of the body of water

What is a cyanotoxin?

How to treat cyanotoxin on a pond? Cyanotoxins are intracellular molecules with various structures.

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria that possess chlorophyll. They are also called blue algae or black-blue-green algae.

They are synthesized by cyanobacteria during the growth period and can be found in water during cell death or lysis. They can be harmful for the living beings of the pond. We recommend that you ventilate.

If you have any questions after reading these articles, post them in the comments or send us an email on support@foudebassin.com / We will be happy to guide you to find solutions adapted to your pond: adding aquatic plants, adding specific bacteria for natural pond, aeration of the body of water.