Pond Algae is very small microscopic, floating vegetation that is an essential component of a healthy food system for a pond or lake. Algae is the major food source for zooplankton which in turn is an important source of nutrition for fish.
Pond Algae can turn the water green or brown if it grows to excessive levels, and can result in levels that are no longer controllable. This leads to poor water clarity, surface algae blooms, smelly odors, unhealthy pond water and an overall reduction of the lake or pond recreational value.
Pond algae grows into unhealthy levels which are called "blooms" of algae when nutrients in the pond, especially phosphorus, are at very high levels.
A very effective way to ensure that these levels of phosphorus and other nutrients remain in check is to dissolve oxygen into your pond. The process by which is called pond aeration. Superior Windmill Aeration Systems have been solving this issue for pond owners for years. Pond Aeration helps burn off excess nutrients and reduce the levels of phosphorus remaining in your pond or lake, thus cutting down on levels of pond algae and reducing the likelihood of algae blooms.
Pond Aeration is the safest, most affordable and environmentally friendly way to dealing with the issue of Pond Algae. There are pond chemicals in the market place that are sold in order to control pond algae growth.
A common solution to treat Pond Algae is adding copper-containing compounds such as Cutrine Plus or copper sulfate. This approach is know to be effective for short term control of algae, but these chemicals kill off many of the other organisms in a pond that are important food sources for fish such as zooplankton and insect larvae. When treating your pond with such chemicals it will be necessary to treat your pond or lake several times each year, making the long-term buildup of copper in the lake sediments an environmental and health concern, not to mention the costs of each treatment from a dollar perspective.
The Centre for Aquatic Plant Management (CAPM) in the United Kingdom supports another method of controlling Pond algae. It involves the application of barley straw to ponds or lakes. According to studies, as the straw decomposes in the lake, it releases a chemical which inhibits algal growth.
This method seems to be much more environmentally friendly than the copper approach but the fact still remains that if you are providing adequate levels of oxygen in your pond to begin with - none of these issues should arise.
Pond Aeration remains an excellent pond maintenance activity and is a clear winning approach to reducing the levels of Pond Algae.
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