Pond Algae...

[Sandman]

There is a 5 acre pond that I frequent to fish bass on days like today. I have noticed that the algae there is getting out of control. It's almost hard to fish it now. Has anyone had experience getting rid of the algae in this size of an area? I would want to protect the fish already there. I have read all kinds of advice but it seems like no one has actually tried it on a pond of that size. Any help would be appreciated.

[Guest clsutton21]

My cousin and I, when we were about 12, had the same problem with my granddad's pond. We rigged up our own lures for fishing on top of the algae and called it skid fishing. It worked out pretty well.

[Guest TargetShooter84]

Get some wetsuits and dive into the pond and start pulling those algaes up....

[Sandman]

Get some wetsuits and dive into the pond and start pulling those algaes up....

Not a chance. Who knows what's in that pond. I saw a carp there bigger than me (a few actually). If you are feeling up to it, I will watch you. Maybe I could hook up something to a tractor and dredge it some how.

[Guest TargetShooter84]

Not a chance. Who knows what's in that pond. I saw a carp there bigger than me (a few actually). If you are feeling up to it, I will watch you. Maybe I could hook up something to a tractor and dredge it some how.

Like this?

[Currently]

I don't like snapping turtles and will not go wade in any water I can't see through.

Is that carp picture a photoshop? Holy Carpola!

[Guest TargetShooter84]

I don't like snapping turtles and will not go wade in any water I can't see through.

Is that carp picture a photoshop? Holy Carpola!

No, I googled "Carp" and hit Images link on top of the screen and it gave me results. I just picked out a good one to match up his previous comment as humor but there are actually quite large ones out there for real.

[Smith]

When i worked for swimming pool company we would sometimes deal with ponds. There is some good stuff that will clear it up and it's not terribly expensive. Tetra Pond works well as does Muck Pucks. It's gonna run about $50 - $120 a month or more to treat, but you should only have to treat when water temp is 55 deg or above.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Tetra Pond works well as does Muck Pucks.

Are either of these harmful to animals?

The reason I ask is every algae killer I have bought says not safe for use around animals or humans. I will not risk my dogs or cats. I have asked every store dealing with pond type stuff and nobody can confirm or will deny that they will seriously harm or kill animals.

Thanks

Dolomite

[Smith]

Are either of these harmful to animals?

The reason I ask is every algae killer I have bought says not safe for use around animals or humans. I will not risk my dogs or cats. I have asked every store dealing with pond type stuff and nobody can confirm or will deny that they will seriously harm or kill animals.

Thanks

Dolomite

Not if used properly. We used them in Koi ponds and ornamental ponds mostly. All of them had high dollar fish. We never lost any fish. I would say make sure you read the directions and warnings. Some of the problems people encounter with fish when they remove algae and other water plants is actually due to the loss of habitat, food, and gas (water, CO2, nitrogen, ect.) from the algae and plants they removed. It's better to start slow and work up than the other way around. It's always a god idea to test water before you add anything. Sometimes just getting the PH balance right will solve a lot of problems. It is also a lot cheaper to fix PH than other issues. Soil conditions around the pond can also greatly influence the water. That's is usually easy to treat was well with fertilizer and things of that nature.

[-Bristol-]

I'm familiar with those products and have used them in my pond along with other products. I have bass, bluegil, carp, red-eye. If a product is likely to kill the fish, it will be stated clearly on the label. And yes, it is expensive.

[Dolomite_supafly]

I am not too worried about the fish. I would hate to have something happen to our cats or dogs, all of which regularly drink from the pond.

Dolomite

[machinist]

In an old High School animal husbandry text book (1961) it states that copper sulfate at 1 part in 500,000 parts water will destroy most forms of algae and the water will still be fit for animal consuption. The copper sulfate is put in a cloth bag and stirred thru the water untill disolved. It can be lethal to any fish in the pond tho.

You're on your own finding copper sulfate. I don't know if the CO-OP sells it or not.

Edited June 1, 2010 by machinist

[Guest BEARMAN]

In an old High School animal husbandry text book (1961) it states that copper sulfate at 1 part in 500,000 parts water will destroy most forms of algae and the water will still be fit for animal consuption. The copper sulfate is put in a cloth bag and stirred thru the water untill disolved. It can be lethal to any fish in the pond tho.

You're on your own finding copper sulfate. I don't know if the CO-OP sells it or not.

+1....machinist beat me to it. I too, have heard copper sulfate is the prescribed remedy for killing pond algae.

[Guest yellowsulphur29]

Another option would be to add Israeli grass carp also known as white amur. They take care of vegetation in most ponds. While they are an invasive species in our lakes around here, they are well known to be used for farm ponds. Not to mention, these beasts get 50+ lbs and are heck of a fighter when they get big.

[enfield]

I would bet that grass carp and other invasive species are illegal to import or own in Tennessee as it's impossible to keep them out of the streams and rivers due to flash flooding.

[Mike.357]

All the golf courses I ever worked at had grass carp in the ponds to help with algae.

Don't how you catch them things though. They seemd only i nterested in eating the algae.

[ttocswob]

White amur, commonly called grass carp is another fish species that may be stocked into ponds that have aquatic plant problems. Grass carp feed almost exclusively on aquatic plants and therefore can be an effective biological control method when aquatic plants become a nuisance. Although aquatic plants are beneficial to natural functions in fishing ponds and lakes, they can interfere with the owners preferred use of the pond when allowed to spread unchecked. Triploid grass carp may be stocked with other fish species at recommended rates and may be obtained from commercial fish producers. Only triploid (sterile) grass carp are legal to stock in Tennessee, so pond owners should obtain verification from the sellers that they are purchasing triploid grass carp.

TWRA link

My dad stocked his 4 acre pond with these years ago - they help with algae and grasses, but don't eat water shield (lily pads)

[enfield]

OK, I remember that - the sterile ones are OK.

[Superposed]

Do you have an algae problem or an aquatic weed problem? There are different treatments for the different problems. I would first check with TWRA if you want to use sterile grass carp or add any other fish to the pond to check on the laws/restrictions/legality. They may also be able to help you with any chemical treatment of algae or aquatic weeds. Just be aware that grass carp will clean out a pond completely of weed if overstocked.

Superposed

[Guest RRM]

Contact the university of TN agriculture dept and see if they can assist in any way. i remember my papaw having alot of issues with algae and grass in his pond (which is pretty good size also). If i remember correctly they done some testing and recommendations.

[Sandman]

Ok so I talked to the owners and here's the update. Copper sulfate...apparently doesn't work (they tried it). The carp...those are the ones that are huge. There's at least 20 small-human size carp (not kidding). UT came and did some tests and they followed what they said...nothing. So here's what they told me to do. $1000 for whoever can clean it up. I don't care how you do it. You can scuba dive down there, you can dig the pond deeper, you can use chemicals, you can borrow a manatee...

Couple of things:

1. Can't kill the fish

2. If you use chemicals, and they work, you will have to tell us what chemicals you used.

3. If it does clear up, it would be expected to be clear from here on out. We will do monthly chemicals (with whatever worked). Basically, most, if not all, of the algae will need to be gone.

[Guest MERRILL]

All the golf courses I ever worked at had grass carp in the ponds to help with algae.

Don't how you catch them things though. They seemd only i nterested in eating the algae.

Mike.357, I have caught them using willow leaves on a hook. Grass would probably work also. Copper Sulphate will lower the ph of the water- make it more acid. It will also kill snails and other aquatic life.

[Guest mn32768]

Just my $.02 as a koi pond owner... you can use chemicals to kill algae put it will come back, and chemicals may kill fish as well.

The only long-term way to eliminate or reduce algae growth is to remove its food, that is, excess dead matter and nutrients. The best ways to accomplish this are preventing debris and runoff accumulation into the pond, and aeration, which means pumping oxygen into the pond. There are pond aerators you can find on Google, including wind and solar powered. They are atrociously expensive though, starting from $1500 for a pond of that size.

Hope this helps...

[molonlabetn]

Pond scum eh... shouldn't have let the president go swimming.

But, until the 2012 election, this site might help: Battling Pond Scum