Algae Control
Control and prevention of different algae types is really control on nutrients and light. The rich lighting spectrum of the sun will most likely promote algae growth rather than plant growth. The nutrient level of the pond’s water can be minimized by frequent water change. Adding some algae eating fish is also a good form of natural algae control. It is necessary to avoid over feeding the fish to be able to control the fish waste and the decay of the food. However, other scavengers like tadpoles and snails helped consumed excess fish food. Barley straws are gaining publicity for success in algae control in ponds.
It was found that fungi decompose the barley in water. This in turn releases chemicals that prevent the growth of algae. The barley straw reduced phosphorous concentration that serves to reduce phytoplankton growth. Barley straw will control severe problems at 200 – 400 lbs. per acre. Algae are the greatest oxygen consumer in the pond. The microscopic algae also called phytoplankton gives pond water its green color.
There are a variety of options that may be used for its control. One is to deepen shallow areas to keep light penetration from reaching the soil at the bottom of the pond. Planting shrubs around the sides of the pond to serve as buffers from nutrient laden heavy rain run off to entering the pond. Putting on grass carp serve as biological control for pond algae. Herbivorous grass carp feeds on algae and soft plants. Filamentous algae can be controlled by literally removing large floating clumps with a rake. The new Lemna pond biology encourages this small floating aquatic plant called duckweed. It doubles mass in three to four days making it possible for the plant to cover the entire plant from sunlight. Devoid of light, the algae dies.
Brown algae normally occur a result of the curing of live rock introduces silicates and nutrients. A brown film introduces silicates and nutrients. A brown film soon coats everything inside. Controlling brown algae is easily done by adding Trochus or Astraea snails to the wildlife sustained in the garden pond. They are definitely the brown algae cleaner workhorses. Swans enhance the wildlife effect of your garden and helps maintain the ecological system of their habitat.
A pair of mute swans is known to keep 0.4 hectare of pond clean and free from algae. They just love the taste of algae and feed on it. Mute swans are one of the largest waterfowl in the British Isle and northern Europe. They significantly reduced biodiversity in the wetlands. Filamentous algae are also consumed by other waterfowls like ducks and coots. An unusual form of biological control is planting flowering plants like pickerelweed and American pondweed. But this only works in shallow areas. The growth of algae can be unsightly. It subsequent decomposition generates foul odors.
