Build An Easy Koi Fish Pond. Easy To Build Backyard Koi Fish Pond With Full Illustrations, eBook(R) & Bonus.

Algae presents one of the greatest potential problems for the gardener with a pond. There are many different species of algae, but from a practical pond management point of view they can be conveniently divided into two groups: suspended and filamentous. Suspended algae are mostly primitive minute single-celled species that cause a green algal bloom in the water, turning it like pea soup. Filamentous algae includes species variously referred to as Spirogyra, Silkweed, Blanketweed and Mermaid’s Hair.

Although not an indication of an unhealthy pond, algae can cause the water gardener considerable distress, totally ruining the overall visual effect. Suspended algae that create an unpleasant bloom are usually seen during the spring, especially in temperate districts where the growth of higher forms of plant life during the winter has become virtually non-existent. There is a sudden greening of the water as it warms up. The primitive unicellular algae appearing almost immediately and continuing to proliferate until the higher and more evolutionarily developed plants take over.

Discuss – Provide adequate shade by having 60 to 70% of the pond’s surface area covered with floating plants or other types of shade.

Once growth starts and the submerged plants begin to utilize the nutrients in the water, thereby competing with the more primitive algae, they rapidly go into decline and the water becomes clear. However, at any time during the year a green algal bloom may appear if the natural balance of the pond is disturbed. In new ponds, where the aquatic plants have had little time to establish, suspended algae can be particularly troublesome. It is important to be patient and to allow them to become established. Providing that the formula for creating a balance of plants and fish has been adhered to, the pond will eventually clear.

Whatever happens resist the temptation to empty the pond of water and refill with fresh. This will temporarily alleviate the problem, but within a few days the water will return to its green state. Fresh tap water is rich in mineral salts, and so to some extent the water will have been fertilized. Never change pond water just because it is green if the plant balance in the pond is correct. Just be patient. However, a flocculating product which will temporarily sink the algae out of suspension and allow light to pass through the water, thereby accelerating the growth of submerged plants, is very useful.

Filamentous algae can be very persistent and troublesome. In the most severe cases, where the algae forms large floating mats or colonies, the lower parts of the algal mass begins to decompose through lack of light and creates an unpleasant smelling brown or black mess. One of the most annoying aspects of blanketweed is that it often grows freely in a pond that otherwise has completely clear water. Filamentous algae rarely accompanies suspended algae in the same pond.

When looking at the overall control of algae by natural means, it is the submerged aquatics that provide much of the solution. Their main task is to mop up nutrients in the water and to release oxygen during the day to sustain fish and other aquatic life. By removing excess nutrients from the water, they deprive green water-discolouring algae of the opportunity of becoming established. When planting a garden pond allow one bunch of submerged plants for every square foot of water surface area.

Green algae-laden water can also be controlled by the amount of light that is permitted to fall into the pond. Algae, like most other aquatic plants, must have full uninterrupted sunlight in order to prosper. Planting trees and shrubs to shade the pond is ill-advised as this will prevent the desirable plants like waterlilies and marginal aquatics from growing properly and will have an adverse effect upon their floral display. The solution is to provide shade on the surface of the water by means of floating plants and waterlily pads. These should not cover the entire pond, for cutting out the light completely beneath the water will cause the submerged plants to perish. No more than one third of the surface area of open water should be covered with foliage if green suspended algae is to be controlled successfully and submerged plants permitted to grow freely.

Discuss – There is no universal guidebook to use when building a Koi pond, be sure to keep in mind however the major differences between a Koi pond and a water garden and know which one you are truly wanting before you make the sizable investment of time, money, and energy. Be sure to consult a professional landscaper with extensive experience specifically with Koi ponds, as he will be aware of dangers that you may not be aware of as well as knowing where the best place to place the pond on your property would be.

Philip Swindells has over 40 years gardening experience. A former botanical garden curator and an international horticultural consultant, he has worked extensively in the UK, North America, the Middle East and Australia. The Author of more than 50 gardening books, he has been awarded a Quill and Trowel Award by the Garden Writers’ Association of America. He is also a former UK Garden Writer of the Year. He is currently editor of http://www.internationalwatergardener.com.

Discuss – When used as a general tonic for fish, and as a stress reducer, add 2 -1/2 cups full (728g) of Pond Salt for each 100 gallons (378 L) of pond water. Sprinkle salt evenly around the perimeter of the pond.

No matter if it is a decorative pond, water garden, golf course pond or stock tank, nothing drives pond owners crazier than an infestation of pond scum or pond algae. The only thing that equals the frustration of seeing it, is trying to control it. The ability to identify the type of algae in a pond and then to limit the nutrients available to it goes a long way in preventing pond algae growth.

There are 3 basic types of pond algae:

Planktonic algae are microscopic, free floating algae the give ponds their clear green color. A normal population of planktonic algae is mandatory for a healthy pond, as they are the base of the food chain and are responsible for supplying the pond with dissolved oxygen, essential for the health of the other aquatic life. When planktonic algae start to bloom, they will give ponds a pea soup coloration. This usually takes place in summer months.

Filamentous algae, often called pond scum or pond moss, begins growing on the bottom of ponds on surfaces like rocks and logs and resemble green fur. As the clumps grow, they break loose from the bottom and float to the top, causing ugly green mats on the pond surface. Filamentous algae begins growing in the early spring and is first noticed around the edges of the pond in shallow water. It has no redeemable value to a pond.

Attached-erect algae commonly are mistaken for a higher vascular plant due to its dense, gritty appearance and its resemblance to aquatic plants with leaf-like structures. Attached-erect algae are less common, but do to its thickness, blooms can be dangerous to swimmers along with being a nuisance to other water activities. Attached-erect algae provide no significant value to a pond system.

Discuss – These are not typically the most attractive lawn features you can come up with because of the lack of plant life in or around the pond and it is not a good idea to have a Koi pond in an environment that has violent extremes in weather such as a severe winter. These fish are highly susceptible to weather based conditions and simply can’t survive a long winter.

Algae blooms in ponds are stimulated by the availability of excess nutrients in the pond and sunlight penetration. Excess nutrients usually come from fish feces, decaying vegetation, fish food and fertilization run-off. Shallow, clear ponds are often the most likely environments for algae to occur, due to the ability of sunlight to penetrate through to the bottom soil.

The options available for algae control are wide. Herbicides/ algaecides like copper sulfate are common solutions used, due to its ability to kill the algae quickly. However, a quick kill off of algae will actually work against the health of the pond. Large algae kills will result in a decrease in available oxygen for other aquatic life and the increase in nutrients stemming from the dead algae, which leads to new cycles of algae.

Discuss – Ensure that you have good mechanical and biological filtration and that your pump will turn the pond water over totally at least twice per day.

An effective, long term method to control pond algae is to use a live microbial product, like Natural Enviro 4000, that utilizes special beneficial bacteria to break the growth cycle of pond algae. The microbes, once introduced into the pond, consume the excess nutrients, limiting the amount available for the algae. They also break down the decaying vegetation and other organic matter that algae get nutrients from, while at the same time releasing oxygen back into the pond. The products are also all-natural and completely safe for fish, animals and turf plants.

This introduction of increased oxygen levels creates two positive effects. Increased levels of oxygen in the water will cause decomposition of organic matter to occur faster, thus limiting the amount of nutrients available. Increased amounts of oxygen also squeeze out other gases like carbon dioxide, which aquatic plants like algae need to survive.

The fight to control pond algae is a formidable challenge, but with knowledge and the help from a live microbial product, a clean, healthy and beautiful pond can be achieved.

Discuss – The poor Koi keeper is left wondering what happened. He then proceeds the way of many before him, with a shovel, lots of sand and a determination to fill in what was once a treasured feature of his garden, his Koi pond.

Casey Coke
Natural Environmental Systems LLC
http://www.naturalenviro.com