10 natural ways to get rid of algae

Today we are going to talk about natural methods to basically remove the algae's food source, causing it to wither and virtually starve to death. Let's take a look at the top 10 ways to deal with pond algae.

Method number 1: Limit exposure to light .

Algae is a photosynthetic plant, meaning it depends on sunlight to grow, so if you want to limit the amount of algae you have in your pond, limit the amount of sunlight.

By limiting the amount of sunlight, you can only force your pond to light up beautifully and naturally. This can include growing plants that provide good shade cover such as water lilies, water hyacinth if legal in your area, and other types of cover plants.

Method number 2: Eliminate The mud at the bottom of the pond.

Mud is a fantastic food source for algae. You need to remove it as much as possible. You can remove sludge from your filter by taking care to preserve the colony of bacteria and never over cleaning your filter.

If you have several inches of silt at the bottom of your pond, then you are feeding your algae abundantly. Sometimes professional pond cleaning will be required and that is when you need to hire a pond professional to come and take care of this problem. Removing slime is removing food.

Method number 3: Control the amount of daily food.

Have you ever thought that when you feed your fish, you feed your pond as well? it's true if you have fish that won't eat all the food you leave them, be sure to remove the excess and throw it in the yard, it's much better than having a degenerating pond.

Overfeeding is one of the most common problems with your pond water quality, it can cause cloudy water and it can cause algae. Make sure you don't overfeed.

Principle number 4: Control the quality of daily fish food

Don't buy cheap food. Always remember that when you feed your fish, you are also feeding your pond. Cheap food is usually high in phosphate, which is also a food source for your algae. If you are not careful about this point, you risk turning your pond into a real nightmare. Learn to read the guaranteed analysis that is on your food bag and if you have a high phosphate food source, you are feeding your algae colony.

Method number 5: PH control.

Did you know that a high pH, ​​usually above 8, is also an ideal environment for algae? If your pond has a high PH, contact a professional pond specialist and purchase a PH reducing agent and buffer that will lock in that PH.

Your fish will be so much happier this way, and your algae will be so much hungrier.

Method number 6: Aeration

Did you know that the decomposition of organic matter at the bottom of your pond produces carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide is also a food source for algae?

So by adding aeration to your pond, you allow that carbon dioxide to rise to the surface more quickly, which removes carbon dioxide from your pond as a food source and thus starves your algae. . Aeration is therefore a wonderful thing for your pond not only for the purpose of eliminating algae, but also for your fish and for the rest of your pond ecosystem.

Method number 7: Plants

Did you know that seaweed is a plant?

So if you also plant your pond with larger plants, these larger plants will compete for the same food source, so the larger plants, eating more food, will leave nothing for the smaller algae.

If you have a family member who loves pizza on Friday night with their friends, then on Saturday morning when you want to open the fridge and eat the leftovers, you guess there will be nothing left for you. It's the same with algae. Take away their food source and they won't be able to survive. Plants are therefore very important for your pond.

Method number 8: Cannibal Algae

According to livescience.com in an article written by Douglas Mayne on 11/21/2012 entitled "algae Chows down on other plants" when deprived of other food sources, a widely distributed type of green algae can decompose from other plant matter and absorbing it as food, a new study reveals that this is the first time a member of the plant kingdom has broken down another plant cell. The bipolymer that strengthen plant cell walls is then used as an energy source according to new research.

So you can still feed the algae a little, which is why it's a wonderful sight to see the almost velvety surface of algae growing on the walls or rocks of your pond.

Method number 9: The use of bacteria.

Rain can cause algae blooms. Have you ever looked at how beautiful the landscape is after a few days of spring rain, the grass is green and it smells so good outside that you will see nature turn from brown to green. This is what can happen in your pond. Rain generally contains an abundance of atmospheric nitrogen. This nitrogen is a fantastic food for the algae in your pond. To combat this, watch the weather and be sure to top up with pond bacteria before the rain comes. Bacteria will thus be able to proliferate in advance, thus depriving the algae of their source of food.

Method number 10: An ultraviolet light

To eliminate green water in a "classic" pool, it takes a power of 2 watts per 1000 liters of pool water. For a koi pond (lots of fish, no plants), a power of 4 to 5 watts per 1000 liters should be provided. Before you think about using UV units, follow the advice given above first, and you will be less dependent on them and you will save money in the purchase of the UV device, installation and maintenance and finally in electricity. You can find good equipment on foudebassins.com