The Truth About Algaecides

Hi Paul,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

You make a good point and I agree with you in that algaecides or herbicides(chemicals) when used prudently, can be useful, particularly in larger ponds.

If one looks at what we offer on our site you’ll see that every item isn’t necessarily “natural”. However when it comes to a “chemical” offering they all are highly targetable and can be limited in the amount used to alter the course of a pond problem. We always suggest using no more than is necessary and targeting them very precisely to limit any unwanted negative effects. So I think we pretty much preach the same message in this regard.

Kudos to you for sharing this message with your customers and others…more companies need to do this.

A problem I see however is that too many pond management companies, chemical salesmen, and other entities don’t tell the whole story. They make it sound like an algaecide is the one and only, or best way to go, and often it’s not. If fact, it’s rarely, if ever the cure the pond owner is desperately hoping for.

The average pond owner needs to know the possible effects of using a chemical in their pond. And by chemical, what I’m referring to is the copper based algaecides primarily. As someone once said, for-warned is for-armed. A pond owner may opt to avoid a chemical additive and that’s quite alright. There are other worthy options to try. And if they do decide to use an algaecide, they will know the possible issues with doing so at that time. Not after months or years of taking a pond in an entirely bad direction, or losing their fish in the process.

Just my two cents and something I felt was worth sharing.