Does your pond look like a large bowl of pea soup? How about long strings of algae overpowering your stream or waterfall? Does it perhaps look like someone dropped a few packs of tea bags in you pond? Have no fear, we have the information you’ve been looking for.
Patience Is A Virtue!
If your system is new, understand that it takes up to six weeks for bacteria to colonize and actually begin to do their job. Creating a balanced ecosystem doesn’t happen overnight. Like fine wine, ponds mature with age, so don’t be surprised or concerned if a new pond begins to grow some algae. Once the plants, fish and bacteria are established, the algae will decrease.
Annual Cycle
Most ponds undergo an algae cycle every year. In colder climates, both plants and bacteria go dormant due to lack of oxygen in the cold water. This creates less competition for nutrients and proves advantageous for algae to grow unchecked. The pond may turn green like pea soup, tea colored, or become full of string algae in late winter or early spring. Once the temperatures warm up, the plants and bacteria will begin to establish themselves once again and your water will begin to clear.
Why Do You Have Algae Problems?
In addition to the normal annual cycle, there are many other reasons for algae problems in your pond. The most common problems are due to over stocking or over feeding. Fish stocking levels should be kept to 1” of adult fish per 20 gallons of water.
Under filtering is another big reason for water clarity and algae problems. If your biological filtration is not sufficient and your water is not circulating at least the volume of your pond every hour, you most likely will see problems with water clarity and string algae.
Runoff and rain may also cloud your water or provide excess nutrients that will cause an imbalance in your ecosystem. This usually results in an algae bloom or tea colored water.
How To Get Your Pond Clean And Clear Again?
Take a look at this table below to assist you finding the best solution for your particular water clarity problem.
Beneficial Bacteria Water Treatments
| Product |
What it Does |
What it Fixes |
| AquaClearer Extreme Dry |
Contains microbes and enzymes that are effective at reducing sludge, uneaten fish food, fish waste, and excess nutrients. |
Green Water (Pea Soup) |
| AquaClearer Extreme Liquid |
Faster acting than the dry formula. Contains microbes that are effective at reducing ammonia, nitrites and excess nutrients. |
Green Water (Pea Soup) |
| AquaClearer Extreme Cold Water Liquid |
Contains cold water microbes that are effective at accelerating the digestion of organic matter such as leaves, seeds, branches, etc. Excellent at reducing ammonia, nitrites, and excess nutrients. Great for Spring start ups. |
Green Water (Pea Soup), Tea Colored Water |
| AquaClearer Extreme Wetland/Pond & Lake |
Contains a highly concentrated blend of beneficial microbes that are effective at reducing ammonia, nitrites, and excess nutrients. |
Green Water (Pea Soup) |
| Ecosystems SAB Extreme |
Break down and reduce debris in a pond. |
String Algae |
Non-Bacteria Water Treatments
| Product |
What it Does |
What it Fixes |
| EcoBlast |
Breaks down debris in streams and waterfalls |
String Algae |
| EcoCarbon |
Removes odors and any discoloration to the water. Good at removing tea colored water |
Tea Colored Water |
| EcoFloc |
Clumps suspended particles in the water for easy removal by the filtration system. |
Cloudy Water |
| EcoFoam Away |
Removes foam from the water |
Foamy Water |
| EcoShade |
Colors the water dark blue so light doesn’t penetrate through, thus preventing algae growth |
Green Water (Pea Soup), String Algae |
| Eco Barley |
Decomposing barley releases peroxide which reduces algae growth. |
Green Water (Pea Soup), String Algae |
| Pondless Waterfall AlgaeBlast |
Attacks and prevents algae growth in Pondless Waterfall. Not safe for live plants, snails and other invertebrates. |
Green Water (Pea Soup), String Algae |
In a nutshell, here is what is going on while using these products. You use EcoBlast on the stream and waterfalls when the algae are bad. Then it breaks down, changes forms and runs into the pond. Once in the pond, it is looking for something to attach itself to. Before it has to chance, you add the S.A.B Extreme and AquaClearer (be sure to wait 48 hours before adding S.A.B. after adding EcoBlast). This keeps the “bad” bacteria colonies from forming, in turn keeping your water clear. Of course, this is the short version of what is really happening.