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Thread: Floating algae

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    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai Sez's Avatar
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    Floating algae

    I’ve got a 7000l pond with a diy filter (Wrighty’s) which uses K1. The water if being filtered perfectly and the moving bed water is gin clear before it returns to the pond. My issue is the pond water is full of floating algae which reduces visibility. I can only see about a foot down whereas before I could see the bottom clearly. The filters are fed by a pond pump which is good for 20000l. Any idea what I can do?


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  2. #2
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai Sez's Avatar
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    P.S. It’s not pea soup kind of water, it’s lots of tiny floating green bits that are floating around in the water but also clump together on the surface in full sunlight.


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  3. #3
    What's the water intake points; are you pumping from a bottom drain or skimmer etc, and what turnover rate do you have (time for pump to pump the volume of the pond).

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    //Kevin

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    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    No expert on Algae but I had the same thing last year and again earlier this year.

    Each time I got within a day of ordering a skimmer and it suddenly cleared up by itself.

    I was going round the pond surface with a fine net scooping it all up for a few days, then it just stopped.

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    Senior Member Rank = Kyusai hippo's Avatar
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    Do you have any blanket weed on the sides and bottom of your pond . I had a similar thing last year - I think it might be a form of B/W .
    Colin

    2500 Gallon Fibreglass Pond
    Draco Solum 16 , 400l Bio Chamber

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    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai Sez's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Keveke View Post
    What's the water intake points; are you pumping from a bottom drain or skimmer etc, and what turnover rate do you have (time for pump to pump the volume of the pond).

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    The pond is 5 metres long, there is 1 pump in the middle which is also the deepest point. I’m not sure what my turnover rate is, probably once every hour or 2 at a guess)


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    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai Sez's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RS2OOO View Post
    No expert on Algae but I had the same thing last year and again earlier this year.

    Each time I got within a day of ordering a skimmer and it suddenly cleared up by itself.

    I was going round the pond surface with a fine net scooping it all up for a few days, then it just stopped.
    I’ve had this problem for weeks now. I’ve been using a pool net to skim all the floating algae but it’s about as useful as herding cats as there’s so much in there!


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    Quote Originally Posted by hippo View Post
    Do you have any blanket weed on the sides and bottom of your pond . I had a similar thing last year - I think it might be a form of B/W .
    I’ve cultivated lots of lovely thick green wavy stuff on the walls. I get millions of little Mexican waves every time I look in the pond!


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    Quote Originally Posted by Sez View Post
    I’ve cultivated lots of lovely thick green wavy stuff on the walls. I get millions of little Mexican waves every time I look in the pond!


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    Yes , sounds like blanket weed . If you get rid of it , I think you`ll get rid of the floating stuff as well . I`m guessing the floating crap is bits of the B/W breaking off .

    There`s several products for controlling B/W . I use Cloverleaf Blanket Answer , which is pretty good . I also maintain a low level of salt in my pond , which seems to help keep it at bay .

    Also , make sure your UV light is working OK .
    Colin

    2500 Gallon Fibreglass Pond
    Draco Solum 16 , 400l Bio Chamber

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    Quote Originally Posted by hippo View Post
    Yes , sounds like blanket weed . If you get rid of it , I think you`ll get rid of the floating stuff as well . I`m guessing the floating crap is bits of the B/W breaking off .

    There`s several products for controlling B/W . I use Cloverleaf Blanket Answer , which is pretty good . I also maintain a low level of salt in my pond , which seems to help keep it at bay .

    Also , make sure your UV light is working OK .
    Thanks hippo, the uv is working and the bulb was only replaced in spring.

    I’ll get some cloverleaf, see what that does. The frustrating thing is, the water leaving the filter system is crystal clear!


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    Senior Member Rank = Kyusai hippo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sez View Post
    Thanks hippo, the uv is working and the bulb was only replaced in spring.

    I’ll get some cloverleaf, see what that does. The frustrating thing is, the water leaving the filter system is crystal clear!


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    You`ll probably find that while the weed is still alive , your filter wont take much of it out . Its only once it starts dying off and sinks to the pond bottom , it`ll get removed

    . Keep an eye on your filter and pump to make sure it doesn't get blocked - especially if there`s a lot of the stuff . Might be worth removing what you can manually from the pond , using a pond-vac or net or whatever you can .
    Colin

    2500 Gallon Fibreglass Pond
    Draco Solum 16 , 400l Bio Chamber

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  20. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by hippo View Post
    You`ll probably find that while the weed is still alive , your filter wont take much of it out . Its only once it starts dying off and sinks to the pond bottom , it`ll get removed

    . Keep an eye on your filter and pump to make sure it doesn't get blocked - especially if there`s a lot of the stuff . Might be worth removing what you can manually from the pond , using a pond-vac or net or whatever you can .
    Thanks, I’ve ordered the cloverleaf which should be here tomorrow. I’ve got a pond vac so if all goes well, I could be looking at cleaner water by Sunday whilst I vac out all the muck!


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  22. #13
    Senior Member Rank = Kyusai hippo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sez View Post
    Thanks, I’ve ordered the cloverleaf which should be here tomorrow. I’ve got a pond vac so if all goes well, I could be looking at cleaner water by Sunday whilst I vac out all the muck!


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    Sounds like a plan !

    Don't be discouraged , if you don't get instant results , though . Blanket weed can be tough to get rid of , once its established - its much easier when its just starting to sprout . Keep at , though , and you`ll beat it in the end !

    Also , take it easy with the treatment . Although I`ve never had an issue with it , it can cause stress to the fish - as with any chemical . Start with a 50% dose , and use plenty of air to keep things oxygenated . Don't treat last thing at night , or before you go out , so you can monitor things . Don't over-do it and you`ll be fine
    Colin

    2500 Gallon Fibreglass Pond
    Draco Solum 16 , 400l Bio Chamber

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  24. #14
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    My floating algae problem also went on 3 or 4 weeks before suddenly stopping.

    Another thing I have done is add a small amount of salt to deal with a nitrite problem, and as a side effect all the weed died off.

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  26. #15
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai Sez's Avatar
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    Hi guys,
    A quick update Floating algae. So far I have, vacuumed the pond, then did Cloverleaf treatment.......then vacuumed again as well as cleaning the submersible pump and making sure there were no blockages through the pump cage. I’ve cleaned the filters thoroughly as the Cloverleaf left them FILTHY!

    Still green, so next I’m going to replace the UVC even though it’s only 3/4 months old as I’ve run out of ideas.

    Also, when cleaning the pump, I checked what size it is, and to clarify it’s 14000lph which is still double the volume of the pond so if the UVC doesn’t clear it, there may be some pond equipment, liner and fish going spare!


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  28. #16
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion RS2OOO's Avatar
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    Maybe you are flowing through the UV too fast.

    My 55W tends to have a sweet spot of around 8000 lph to completely stop a green tinge to the water.

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  30. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by RS2OOO View Post
    Maybe you are flowing through the UV too fast.

    My 55W tends to have a sweet spot of around 8000 lph to completely stop a green tinge to the water.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

    Thanks, how do you slow it down though? Floating algae


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  31. #18
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    Yep my 55w is similiar a flow rate of 7000lph manufacturer claims is optimum.
    Sez you can slow down flow by slightly closing ball valve on output side of pump, or better is to switch to a variable pump, there are a number out there. A variable pump to me is great, as I can speed or slow the pump down as circumstances need.(slower in winter) faster in summer etc..

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  33. #19
    Your UV won’t stop your issue with Blanket Weed, that’s for green water, algae. Try the Blanket Answer first.

  34. #20
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Sansai Sez's Avatar
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    Another update.

    Have replaced UV bulb (I have a 25w bulb). Not seeing a lot of difference.

    On first inspection, with the fish on the surface, the pond looks clear. I can get a cup of water out of it and looks good, however I still can’t see to the bottom and as the fish go deeper they’re gone! I’m going to try a bigger bucket and see how clear that looks (more water, might look different)

    The blanket weed that I killed is now powdery stuff clinging to the side walls. It doesn’t move unless I rub it. Should I brush all of the pond or leave it?

    Any other suggestions.


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