Pond Algae

This has been an interesting story to follow. It seems that due to high levels of phosphorus and other nutrients, some toxic algae blooms are now affecting the drinking water of millions of people in Northwest Ohio.

Over the years, we’ve talked about algae blooms that can affect drinking water and usually, ever once in awhile, you hear about a toxic bloom that has killed livestock or pets. Sometimes even wildlife.

But in truth, it’s been rare to hear of an algae issue affecting so many people. But today, millions of folks are now being impacted by the problems on Lake Erie.

This is a serious issue because we all know how important clean drinking water is, and when that get’s fouled up, well, what other options do you have?

Right now, water is being brought in for folks in Toledo and other locations. And it will probably be an issue until the weather cools off.

You see, this kind of algae, is just like any other type that you might run into in your pond or water garden. Granted, most of these aren’t toxic but when blue green algae get’s dense enough, you can run into some toxicity issues. Algae is always present in these waters, but what spikes the growth and really makes them potentially dangerous is the nutrients that feed them.

And in the case of Lake Erie, the sources of those nutrients are numerous.

Fertilizers used by farmers is one catalyst.

Researchers largely blame the algae’s resurgence on manure and chemical fertilizer from farms that wash into the lake along with sewage treatment plants. Leaky septic tanks and stormwater drains have contributed, too. Combined, they flush huge amounts of phosphorus into the lake.

Environmental groups and water researchers have been calling on Ohio and other states in the Great Lakes region to drastically reduce the amount of phosphorus flowing into the lake. Ohio lawmakers this past spring took a step toward tackling the algae problem when they enacted a law requiring most farmers to undergo training before they use commercial fertilizers on their fields.But they have stopped short of mandating restrictions on farmers.

It’s really hard to tell at this point whether these meager steps will be enough to curb the seasonal problems that the algae blooms might create. Time will tell on all of that.

In the meantime, you can use this example as further evidence and inspiration. If you think there is a better way to keep algae at bay, over and above nutrient control, you’re mistaken. It is the best way possible. And it’s the first method that should be employed before chemicals are even considered.

The approach is simple. Clean up the water. Clean up the pond. Reduce the nutrients (primarily with beneficial bacteria )that go into the water and more often than not, the algae will reduce too!

If you’ve got some green water showing up in your pond and you’re kind of feeling freaked out about, you’re not alone. In fact that’s a common response.

For many pond owners, the next logical thing to do would be to think that something is going way out of kilter with the pond and that they did something wrong when they added water to it. After all, just a few days ago things looked pretty good and now it’s a green swamp.

So what seems to make the most sense would be to start over. Drain the water out and add some fresh stuff and see if this time, things will go better.

But alas, this is not the right thinking at all.

You Can’t Keep Changing All The Water Out And Expect A Different Result

In fact, in almost every case, you’ll find that in a few days, your pristine, freshly filled pond, will be turning green again!

No matter how many times you drain and fill it, the results will usually be the same.

You see, green water isn’t all that unusual in a pond, and in a newly started pond, it’s quite common. The reason this little single cell algae can grow so well and so quickly is that the basic biological processes that help keep a pond cleaner and clearer, aren’t really evolved enough yet.

Here’s What You Should Do For Green Water…Be Patient!

In fact, after we fill a new pond, or refill an old one, we always add some beneficial bacteria to the water as soon as possible. We might also get some plants going in the pond, and then we give it some time. The good microbes will start to build up, and if you have a biofilter, they’ll begin to colonize inside it. And often, within about 6 to 8 weeks, you’ll most likely have much clearer water.

If beyond that point you still have a problem with greenish water, there are other things you can do (such as consider a UV light) but this initial startup process will work a lot of the time.

I would caution anyone to not do two things. Don’t change out all the water as this whole process is getting established (or you’ll have to start all over again). And secondly, don’t add an algaecide to the water just to keep it looking better. Some of these will harm good bacteria and set you back in that way too.

One simple little trick, ad you’re going through this patient “wait and see” start up, is that you can do some partial water changes and not hurt a thing. Try changing out something like 10% of the water with some fresh stuff every few days, just to see if it will help lighten the green goblin. Quite often you’ll find this to be helpful.

Just remember to leave most of that good, established water in the pond where it will eventually do you a lot of good!