Find here the essentials and best sellers for our pond owners.
Find here the essentials and best sellers for our pond owners.
How to remove filamentous algae in a pond or a pool? If you have a body of water, you may be faced with the problem of these fairly invasive algae. Are these algae present in your pond bothering you and are you looking for a solution to eliminate them?
Rest assured, there are several solutions to limit or even eliminate the presence of algae in your pond. It is important to act as quickly as possible, using the right method. If you delay in doing what is necessary, it will be more difficult to get rid of it.
Algae tend to grow especially early in the season, when aquatic plants are dormant. During the season, aquatic plants will compete with algae, and reduce the amount of nutrients available to algae. The first thing to do in the spring to limit algae is to restart your filtration system.
Then, the second thing to do is to carry out a water analysis with the appropriate equipment . It will be necessary to check several parameters:
If necessary, also check the phosphate and nitrate levels. You can purchase a test kit (see photo below), which will allow you to analyze these different parameters in a few minutes.
It is important to check GH+ & KH+ to balance the pH. Good water hardness (GH & KH) is also a protective barrier for the fish in your pond. You must "mineralize" your pond at the end of winter, because rainwater significantly reduces water hardness. A natural pond is generally constantly fed by springs, which allows water hardness to be kept high.
⭐ Important: Before performing an algae treatment (which you can find here), it is essential to check the hardness (GH and KH) of your pool water . This treatment should not be carried out if the hardness levels are not corrected.
⭐ You may also be interested in: Our guide to analyzing pond water
What causes filamentous algae to develop in a pond? Algae can occur in a body of water for several reasons. In most of the situations we encounter when visiting our clients' ponds:
First of all, know that filamentous algae ensure the balance of your pool or pond. But their presence has significant consequences, both negative and positive. If these algae are present, it is often for several reasons:
When water temperatures are too cold, it is sometimes unavoidable to treat algae. If the water is below 12°C, algaecides such as Algisin should be avoided.
The development of filamentous algae occurs naturally, even in a difficult environment. Their appearance is explained by the presence of three factors:
Even if you have poor water quality, the development of filamentous algae is still possible. This is also sometimes the case in good water quality.
To combat the proliferation of filamentous algae, you can opt for different types of solution ( to be found right here ):
⭐ You may also be interested in: the presentation of Biobooster+ , a miracle product for aquatic ponds
If you choose the first solution, be aware that different processes can be considered. Find some of them below.
For example, we can use copper. For this, it is important to use copper sulfate: this effectively combats the presence of filamentous algae.
Another advantage: its low economic cost. This is why the use of copper remains the most widely used chemical solution. In the form of liquid chelate, you will not only combat algae on the surface of your pool or pond, but also filamentous algae at the bottom.
However, it is important to know that using copper does not only have advantages. If you use it for a long time and in too large a quantity, you will get a bioaccumulation of sediments.
Also, some fish species do not tolerate copper very well. It may therefore be advisable to alternate with peroxide or aluminum sulfate.
After using peroxide, it is necessary to remove the algae to prevent them from falling back to the bottom of your pond. Compared to copper, peroxide is also more expensive, however, remember to use the recommended dose.
Aluminum sulfate has a very fast action, directly eliminating filamentous algae on contact. It is composed of oxygen and, therefore, does not pose a risk to the fish in the pond.
This substance starves the filamentous algae and is a solution to favor if you want to obtain clean water in your pond. It is not strictly speaking a herbicide, but its action remains similar. Thanks to the aluminum sulfate, the phosphorus is then bound and the filamentous algae can no longer feed.
However, this substance should be seen as a temporary solution , as its action is not sustainable. In the long term, the filamentous algae will decompose and transform into organic matter, encouraging the proliferation of new algae.
If you do not want to use chemicals, it is perfectly possible to choose natural solutions in order to eliminate filamentous algae.
First of all, a cleaning of the pond is necessary, consisting of removing the plants using a digger. A particularly effective solution, because not only will you get rid of the filamentous algae , but also of all the nutrients used for their nutrition.
Be careful during this manipulation, however, and avoid leaving algae near the pond. If heavy rains occur, the algae could end up in your pond again.
Beyond the use of the excavator, it is recommended to use beneficial bacteria . Use living organisms that will aim to eliminate filamentous algae from the pond. Indeed, it is important to know that beneficial bacteria are able to feed on excess nutrients present in the water.
Thanks to their action, the algae will gradually die. Beneficial bacteria do not aim to contribute to the death of these algae, but rather to regulate them. For them to be effective, it is necessary to follow the instructions. For example, by avoiding combining them with herbicides, otherwise the beneficial bacteria will die very quickly.
⭐ You may also be interested in: the list of oxygenating plants for a balanced pond
Another technique is to use ultrasound. By using the resonance of ultrasonic waves, you can effectively eliminate harmful algae. This is a proven process, based on very serious scientific research.
Concretely, you need to get a transducer , totally immersed in your pond. This device will be able to generate the sound waves that will penetrate the gas vacuole. Consequently, the filamentous algae will not be able to survive.
This solution, which is very effective, remains expensive and its effectiveness remains limited on ponds. The action of ultrasonic waves must systematically be adapted to the quality of the water, so that its action against plants is optimal.
Some fish like carp will help you regulate algae in your pond. However, carp will be of no use to you if you specifically want to combat string algae.
If you have unwanted plants, you can also use barley straw . This is a particularly interesting alternative to herbicides. Indeed, thanks to its presence, the pH level will then drop as well as the carbonate hardness of the pond.
In these conditions, you have water with a better balance and you control much better the growth and proliferation of filamentous algae. As soon as the barley straw comes into contact with water, it produces peroxide. A substance known for the elimination of unwanted plants.
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