What should I try next?

[Simplehope]

In my newbe intro I told about my attempt at an outdoor pond. At the location I chose there had been part shade but now that the tree is heavy with fruit the shade doesn't reach as far. So I have an alge problem. I filled the pond for the first time in march, and have done several part water changes. I have river rock and white play sand on bottom. It is 14ft long and 7ft across and aprox. 3 1/2 ft. deep in different levels with a cap. of about 1200 gal. I suppose. My plants weren't growing well so I put in a few goldfish, some died possibiley because it started getting alot of frog eggs and then alge. I tried blue shade (explained in intro.) and decided to put 16oz. of carb. and lauva rock in my filter. I made my filter by getting planting basket at lowest point and filling with filter type sponges and some of those little black balls. Inside I also put my pump. So I figure the pump draws the water through all the stuff I put in the basket then out of the tubing a few feet over pond. I have also built some chinesse looking screen to help shade but still alot of alge. What next?

 

[ryan]

Have you tried a UV clarifier? Another tatic a have tried in extreme cases when they are no fish is to cover the pond completely with an old sheet for a week and all the algae is dead but you have to then remove it all and keep the filter running.

 

[bribones]

im having the same problem and other than chemical treatments a uv filter seems the way to go ,problem one is it does require a large pump to work effectivly,problem 2 is its external so you need somewhere to house it and the electrics,you havent said how big your pump/filter is,you need one thats going to handle the size of the pond a small pump just wont do the job in 1000gallons or more my current pond is only about 600 and ive 2 pumps and a ecofilter but im still getting algea even though the water stats are near perfect ,im busy building a new one and will be using a uv so fingers crossed and good luck

 

[Simplehope]

I've seen the mention of a UV filter but I don't understand what they are or how they work. I have a medium size pump. I did not know my exact water amount at first. It can empty my pond out in less than two hours (if I had nozel outside pond) Is that enough agatation? When my children were young I had an old lard making kettle in the yard, I coated it with concret and put in a lily pot ond tossed in a fish. It lived for several years even though it froze almost soild during the winter. No chemicals no problem.

 

[ryan]

UV lights need to go in the filter so they shine on the water passing through. But they must not be able to be seen from outside as they can harm you and your fish. UV light is absorbed by the cells in the algae. The UV light rearranges the genetic material, this stops the algae cells be able to multiply abd they are considered dead.

 

[Fire534]

I have a 1300 gallon pond and i had a big problem with algae until i got a uv light last year. No more problems the algae. Its under control now.

 

[Cat]

We have a uv light and we have no alge,just blanket weed at moment but thats clearing now.

 

[George&Ade]

Sorry to "but in"......but i believe your pond holds approx.2,058 gallons

 

[Opcn]

G&A its probaly not a box so it probably doesnt hold quite that much. As for algea UV would be your best bet and it would free up the nutrients for your other plants also if you keep close track of your ph you could add something to produce tanninns and effectively provide shade (Oak chips in a cloth bag, make one giant cup of tea perhaps?) Alternatively you could add some barley straw which breakes down into H2O2 and kills anything W/O peroxisomes. I curiouse if you built your filter in a basket how do you know that the water doesnt come in the sides of the basket and not throught the filter media?

 

[jclif1995]

same problem with my new pond. it is only 60 gal but algea was the most sucessfull thing growing. got a new canister filter with UV clarifyer and within two days, my problem was gone. nice thing about the set up is that it will handle up to 250 gallons. this will allow me to expand the pond when i become more proficient.

 

[Simplehope]

Well I must admit that I let someone else come up with my possible water capacity.I had not thought out that it was going to be very important, now maybe I have not the right amount to figure correctly. I have not seen the UV clarifers in the fish store or pet stores carry very few pond products if any. What size UV would I need?
My basket with the filter at the bottom does have slits to allow water to enter so that it can go through all the plastic balls, lauva rock and fiber material the pump is packed in the middle of all that. Does that sound wrong? And should I not have sand on the bottom of pond? And how can I tell if my water is being agitated enough?
I have to work out of town during the week so i will check back next week-end. Thanks

 

[bribones]

go for one that will handle 1000 gallon + ,do a google search for uv filter/pond plenty of places to order online,you dont say where you are(country) so i cant really suggest an outlet

how can I tell if my water is being agitated enough?

your pond needs to circulate the water at least once every 1>2 hours