How do you effectively remove algae from your pond or pond?

Algae are a real scourge for ornamental ponds. There are different kinds that can quickly proliferate, mainly in spring and summer. To get rid of them and prevent their appearance, there are still some very effective methods. Here are some tips for eliminating algae from your pond.

Where does the algae in your pond come from?

Before knowing how to get rid of them, it is important that you know where these algae come from. Like aquatic plants, these algae simply need nutrients and sunlight to grow. They therefore proliferate very easily as soon as these elements are combined.

The abundance of nutrients in your pond can be explained by an excess of fish food or an overpopulation of fish, by fertilizers used near the pond or by plants that have fallen into the water. Algae may also have been brought in by rain or wind.

There are different kinds of algae the most common are string algae which float on the surface. As their name suggests, they form green filaments that cling to the walls of your pool. You can also face beard algae, floating algae, blue algae or even brown algae.

Discover our solutions to reduce algae in ponds.

How to effectively remove algae?

There is nothing worse than an algae bloom in a garden pond. They are often unsightly and can also be a real problem for the fish and/or aquatic plants that you have incorporated into your pond. However, they are part of the ecosystem of your body of water, so it is normal to observe a small amount. When they proliferate, however, it is important to regulate them. To do this, you must start by testing the water in your pool to find out its PH and hardness. Depending on the results, you can then regulate the water in the pond by adding, for example, plants or peat aggregate which will lower the pH of the water in your pond. The process of regulating the water in your pond via these biological processes can take several months.

Discover our solutions to reduce algae in ponds.

If you want to get rid of algae quickly you can also use an anti-algae product such as Biobooster.

Bacteria can also be introduced into your pond. They are purchased in the form of a kit and allow the level of nutrients in the water to be lowered. Be careful, these methods remove algae but do not treat the cause of their appearance or proliferation. For this you can put in place some tips that will allow you to avoid their appearance.

Avoid algae by reducing sunlight

To proliferate algae need sunlight. One of the best methods to prevent their proliferation is therefore to reduce the sunshine in your pool. This does not mean completely eliminating the sunshine, but simply bringing shade to part of the pool. For this you can plant a tree near your pond.

Discover our solutions to reduce algae in ponds.

In this case, you will have to make sure that the leaves do not fall to the bottom of the water and that the roots of the tree do not develop under the basin. Also, you can plant water irises or reeds on the edge of the basin, on the sunniest side. Floating aquatic plants such as water lilies are also a good solution for providing shade. Make sure, however, that they do not cover more than ⅔ of the pool.

Oxygenate and clean the pool

The water must be properly oxygenated to prevent the proliferation of algae. For this the installation of aquatic plants is a good method. You can also install a waterfall or an aerator that will allow the water to circulate and therefore take on oxygen.

Discover our solutions to reduce algae in ponds.

It is also important to clean your pond regularly. Remove algae as soon as you notice it appearing and also remove leaves, grasses and other flowers that fall into the water. This prevents plant debris from disappearing to the bottom of the pond and turning into nutrients for the algae.

Reduce excess nutrient

As we explained above, excess nutrients promote the proliferation of pond algae. Aquatic plants, like fish, help regulate excess nutrients and oxygenate the water. It is therefore an effective way to fight against algae. On the other hand, if you feed your fish too abundantly or they find themselves in overpopulation, their food and their droppings will accumulate at the bottom of the basin.

Discover our solutions to reduce algae in ponds.

This phenomenon will then promote the appearance of algae. So be sure to give your fish the right amount of food and not to introduce too many specimens. If you want to introduce Koi carp, know that they need at least 1,000 liters of water each, compared to 50 liters for a goldfish. Aquatic snails can also help you reduce the level of nutrients in your pond. They feed on decomposing plants but also on algae.

Install a filter

Installing a filter in your pond will allow you to continuously purify the water. There are different filters on the market: floating filters, multi-chamber filters, pressure filters or even flow filters. It is important not to install them when it freezes in winter.

Discover our solutions to reduce algae in ponds.

In autumn you can also put a net on your pond to prevent the leaves from falling into the water. In this way, you filter the plant debris in several ways which, as it decomposes, can promote the appearance of algae.

By applying all these methods you will effectively remove algae from your garden pond and prevent their reappearance. You will be able to take full advantage of your small body of water and your green spaces.

Thanks to Pierre, from the specialized pond blog Monbassin.com for his invaluable help in producing this specialized guide to reduce algae in ponds.