How to resolve Green Water in a pond
What does it look like?
- Green discolouration to the pond
- Pond has fluorescing green tint
- Unable to see the contents of your pond
- Water appears similar to pea soup
What are the fish doing?
- Fish may be gasping at the surface in severe cases
- Unlikely to cause behavioural changes
What should I do?
- Test your water to identify any pH or waste problems which can cause algal blooms
- Treat the pond with your chosen treatment – as recommended below
- Encourage plant growth by cutting away dead plants and adding good nutrients in plant food
- Cut out light by planting floating pond plants (Lilies) or create some level of shade over the pond to prevent an over exposure of sunlight
Why does this happen and how do I prevent it?
Green water (or ‘Pea Soup’) is caused by an algal bloom suspended in the pond water. There are several factors that can cause excessive growth of algae and although a Green Away Pond Water treatment will remove algae the causative factors must be addressed to prevent further outbreaks.
Major influencing factors are :
- Excess sunlight so you may benefit from adding floating plants – e.g. Lilies and water soldier – to cover up to 50% of the pond surface area or use planting around the pond to create areas of shade across your pond. You do not want to completely shade the pond as this will discourage good plant growth, however finding a balance could reduce the recurrence of Blanket Weed
- More nutrients than your existing pond plants can use which stimulates algae growth. Nutrient levels can be controlled by encouraging plenty of healthy fast growing pond plants and regularly removing waste and sludge from the pond.
Always use Sludge buster after Algae control products to safely break down and remove dead algae.
Other areas to consider to help prevent further outbreaks and aid treatment:
- Test water regularly (high nitrate levels will encourage algal blooms)
- Keeping plants healthy by feeding with Flora Boost
- Using preventative products like Clean Pond Pods once a month to steadily break down waste.
If green water is becoming a frustrating and common problem in your pond you could consider using a UV Clarifier and filter in your pond. You will need a pond pump to circulate the water in the pond past a UV light which will kill the algae. The dead algae then clumps together and settles out in the pond or is removed by the mechanical media in the filter.
What treatment should I use?
Blagdon Green Away
Fast acting flocculent
Blagdon Barley Straw Bales
Natural, slower acting, longer lasting
Blagdon Extract of Barley Straw - Only Available in store until August 2020
Natural concentrate
Use with any of the above
Blagdon Clean Pond Pods - available in stores March 2020
Blagdon Sludge Buster
Safely break down and remove dead algae
Blagdon Flora Boost
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