Results 1 to 20 of 40
Thread: Floating algae
-
05-08-2019, 03:27 PM #1
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?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
05-08-2019, 03:30 PM #2
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.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
05-08-2019, 04:39 PM #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).
Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk//Kevin
-
05-08-2019, 05:38 PM #4
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.
-
05-08-2019, 06:59 PM #5
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
-
freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
-
05-08-2019, 09:48 PM #6
-
freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
-
05-08-2019, 09:50 PM #7
-
freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
-
05-08-2019, 09:51 PM #8
-
06-08-2019, 08:25 AM #9
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
-
freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
-
06-08-2019, 08:29 AM #10
-
freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
-
06-08-2019, 08:59 AM #11
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
-
06-08-2019, 09:30 AM #12
-
freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
-
06-08-2019, 10:08 AM #13
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 fineColin
2500 Gallon Fibreglass Pond
Draco Solum 16 , 400l Bio Chamber
-
06-08-2019, 10:33 AM #14
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.
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
-
13-08-2019, 11:28 PM #15
Hi guys,
A quick update . 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!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
Ajm Thanked / Liked this Post
-
14-08-2019, 09:33 AM #16
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
-
14-08-2019, 09:46 PM #17
-
15-08-2019, 07:05 AM #18
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..
-
15-08-2019, 08:17 PM #19
Your UV won’t stop your issue with Blanket Weed, that’s for green water, algae. Try the Blanket Answer first.
-
20-08-2019, 10:12 AM #20
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.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Running heater at low temp?
Covering the pond with polycarb should be enough to stop water temps dipping below 6C for the most...