Is your backyard fish pond green? Isn't it frustrating when you try everything under the sun but you still end up with green pool water after a few days? You could try adding all the filters in the world and still end up with green water. The only way to treat it is to understand the cause and then deal with it with the right tools. That journey to get clear pond water begins with understanding something as small as single-cell algae.
What Causes Green Pool Water?
Most algae are single-cell photosynthetic creatures, which means they don't classify under plants, animal, or even fungi. They're among the earliest forms of life on the planet. Algae is the root cause of green pool water. This tiny, microscopic creature is the main reason why your pond water turns green. The more algae in the water, the greener it gets. Keep in mind that not all algae are green. some are brown, amber, red, and orange. This is why you might not end up with a green pond but one with a murky brown color.
No, You Can't Filter Out Algae
Go back a few years, before the dawn of the Internet, and amateur fish enthusiasts and pond hobbyists couldn't understand why their ponds were green as
pond aerator pump didn't exist back then. To that end, they tried to filter out the garbage and weed in their pools, hoping this would make the water clearer. No amount of regular water filters will keep algae out. Most algae are single-cell organisms, which means they're too small for a filter to catch. You can't kill them either because the chemicals could harm the good bacteria in the water. Those chemicals could also kill the plants and fish you have in there too. The best way to get rid of algae is to starve them and to make the water less of an optimal choice for them to reproduce. That process
starts with aeration.
Proper Aeration
Aerators diffuse oxygen into the water, meaning these machines bring more direct contact between oxygen and water. This achieves two important results that lead to the reduction of algae blooms:
- Faster decomposition
- Water movement
The reason algae grow in number is because of an abundant food source. Fish waste, fallen leaves, leftover fish food, and natural organisms in the water increase the level of methane, chlorine, carbon dioxide and other gasses. These are all viable food sources for algae and this makes their population explode. With aeration, the gasses in the water drop down to normal levels and the organic food sources for algae decompose before they can eat. This starves the algae and they eventually die off, never reaching a point to repopulate. Water movement is also crucial. By keeping the water moving, algae doesn't get a chance to settle, feed, and populate.
Installing an aerator isn't difficult and once it's in it will keep your fish pond clean and clear for a long time. The best part is that aeration machines are easy to maintain and don't cost much to manage over time.
Good Bacteria
Aeration is the main tool against to fight but it isn't the only method you should turn to. You should supplement the work of your aerator by seeding the pond with good bacteria. What kind of bacteria are you looking for? Koi clay, barley straw, and commercial bacteria products are all good options to start with. They all work in a similar fashion: they eat what algae feed on. This means the good bacteria keeps the water clean and clear. It does all the cleaning while also starving out the algae. Not only will this keep the water clean but it also helps regulate the chemical composition of the water. It is important to note that good bacteria is a waste of time if it's the only method you rely on. No amount of bacteria farms will get rid of algae if you don't have aeration systems in place.
Less Fish Feeding
A major cause of green pool water and the abundance of algae blooms is fish feeding. You have to feed your fish but don't overdo it. The leftover food can cause algae blooms. You can also expect fish that eat too much to leave a lot of waste as well. Their feces can cause a growth in algae populations too. If you want to have cleaner pond water and you want to help the aeration process, it is safer to only feed your fish when needed. Most fish breeds are fine with only one feeding per day. Exceed this and you risk giving algae a viable food source.
Proper Cleaning
None of this will work without proper cleaning. You need to transfer your fish out of the pond and into a tank for a few hours and give the pond a good workout. Remove all the mud, muck, and decayed material. Once everything is gone, you can apply a few chemicals to get everything washed right. Put water back into the pool, cleanse it once with some chlorine and let the water return to its natural chemical composition in a few hours. When the chlorine is gone and the water is clear of all chemical obstacles, put the water and fish back in. Turn on your aeration machine and other tools like water filters and a fountain to keep algae from growing. You can also add floating plants to help clean the pond. These floating pads will infuse oxygen into the water and help reduce carbon dioxide, again preventing algae from overgrowing in population.
Get a Cleaner, Clearer Pond Today
Tired of dirty, green pool water? You don't have to settle for ugly, murky pond water. With the right aeration system in place, you can enjoy clear, clean water that lets you and others enjoy the view. Now you can see your fish as they swim about! Not sure which aerator is good for your pond? Not certain how to install or how to maintain your system? Feel free to
contact us today! We'll answer any inquiries and help you install the right aeration system for your pond.
