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4 Ways to Treat Spring and Summer Ponds
Now that the ice is gone and summer is here, it is time to think about treating your pond. All ponds age and as they age, they eventually accumulate black muck on the bottom which leads to excessive plant vegetation and algae issues. Why, because the bottom of most ponds is anaerobic and things do not break down and decompose very easily in an anaerobic environment. As the muck layer grows, it releases phosphorous and other nutrients which then feed green plants and algae or pond “moss.” So how do you prevent these things from happening? Here are four recommendations: First, consider adding bottom diffused aeration. This turns the bottom aerobic which means much more rapid decomposition due to the more active aerobic bacteria. Why do you think the wastewater treatment plants churn and move their water, to add oxygen and aerobic bacteria, the same way oxygen and aerobic bacteria keep an aquarium clean. Aeration can be done with wind energy, electricity or using solar power. All are effective and all work. Secondly, add some additional microbes and aerobic bacteria. A concentrated blend of dry bacteria can speed up nutrient and organic matter decomposition. This can be in pellet form to work on the bottom muck extensively or in dry powder form to circulate throughout the water column. Use a colorant to help filter the sunlight. We have a wide range of dye’s that are all super concentrates and can help significantly, especially in ponds with shallow edges where algae is prone to grow. Lastly, you can selectively use an algaecide or herbicide to help with problem areas. Outdoor Water Solutions carries a wide range of these products to help control excessive algae and weeds in problem ponds. Have questions about maintaining your pond or lake? Give us a call 866-471-1614.
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Outdoor Water Solutions Support!
Outdoor Water Solutions Support Have a technical question about one of our products? Want to talk to a live person? Outdoor Water Solutions is pleased to offer a dedicated technical support line, the first in our industry! Joshua Flowers has recently joined the Outdoor Water Solutions team as Technical Support Lead . He has a degree from the University of Idaho in Fisheries and Wildlife Resources and has many years of experience working for the U.S. Forest Service and "The Pond Boss", Bob Lusk. In addition to providing technical support on Outdoor Water Solutions products and fielding your pond, lake and aeration questions, Joshua provides timely articles and updates on our website. You can contact Joshua at our Technical Support number, 1-479-879-2961.
Natural Algae Prevention
We recently had a question sent to us from a pond owner who is looking to prevent algae from growing and to combine “all natural” products with aeration. John Redd, Owner of Outdoor Water Solutions offered the following suggestions: Step 1: Keep colorant in your pond year around. It should have a consistent blue/dark blue appearance that is pleasing in color, but more importantly, filters the sunlight and keeps it off of the bottom. The amount of dye is dependent on pond size, pond depth, rainfall and sunlight. On a 1 acre pond that is 4’ deep on average, we would typically recommend 1 quart of concentrate to start. If 8’ -12’ deep, it would probably take 2 quarts to start assuming there is no residual colorant left from last year. Then you would add a ½ quart each month or two to keep the color year around depending on how much rain and/or dilution you might get. You can always add some, give it a day or two, then add more until you get the color you want. You should not be able to see the bottom at 2’-3’ of depth. Algae can grow anytime, even over winter, so having a colorant in your pond all year is critical to preventing algae growth. Step 2: Add supplemental aerobic bacteria every 2 weeks once the water temperature hits 50 degrees. For a one acre pond, you would add 8 packets (4 pounds) every 2 weeks. Toss it in around the edges of the pond and out in the middle. These are water soluble packets that dissolve and increase the # of aerobic bacteria in your pond with the objective of breaking down excess nutrients and organic matter. Step 3: Selectively control algae that appears. Some people use an algaecide. Others use a lake rake and pull it into shore and dispose of it. Keeping it from sinking to the bottom and adding to your existing muck is typically a good idea. Have a question? Contact us today or Call Us 1.866.471.1614!
7 Ways to Control Algae
7 Way to Control Algae It's that time of the year, when winter is holding on ferociously, spring is around the corner, and summer is not far behind. As managers of lakes and ponds its time to reassess our annual algae and vegetation management plans/prescriptions. As a professional we are always asking what, why, when, where, and how did our plan work, or did not work. We must give credit where its due. Algae’s basic function along side the rest of the terrestrial world (trees, plants, etc.), is to produce oxygen for the environment we live in. However, as the temperatures begin rising algae growth can take on a whole new meaning for lake and pond owners. That credit we just gave it, took the preferable “right turn Clyde”. Algae begins growing unchecked and becomes an ugly mess that is ruining the tranquility and beauty of your recreational pond. Professional lake, pond, or water managers are always trying to get one step ahead on algae. No one likes seeing green floating scum on their water. But did you know that there maybe many variables contributing to algae growth? Pond owners should consider the type of fish the pond holds, slope and depth of the pond, livestock that may be around the pond, the water source, and the previous use of pond. These are just some of the considerations to thing ab out when you see algae growing in your pond or lake. When addressing algae problems, start by assessing your what our the current goals are for the pond. Goals and current events will determine what methods are used to treat algae. If there is an event happening in two days, a chemical treatment that results in dead brown mats of algae won’t be received very well by guests. There is no “one size fits” all recommendation or product to control algae. It is the job of the consultant to provide all available options and information after asking and answering questions that will help you to make decisions for your lake or pond. Remember, no two ponds that are alike and a product that is labeled “one size fits all” will more than likely disappoint. So, what options should you consider? We'll take a look at seven algae control options and discuss them weekly. They include: Nutrient Reduction Sunlight Reduction Fish Chemicals Biological Mechanical Aeration Controlling algae is a process. Start with your goals for your pond or lake, discuss the costs, time and resources needed. Remember there is “no one size fits all”. Educate yourself and if needed, worth with a lake or pond professional to discuss your situation. If your lake or pond is looking great, everyone will benefit and enjoy your efforts.
Windmill and Electric Aeration for Pond Algae Control
Windmill Aeration Systems are great systems for where you do not have electricity or where you don’t want to spend money on electricity. You do need to have access to an area where there’s some wind to turn a windmill. Typically, each windmill will need 3-6 mph of wind to turn. For a windmill to be effective, you would need an average of 6-8 hours of wind each day. On some days, there might not be any wind. On others, you might have 24 hours of constant wind. But, if you can average 6-8 hours a day, you can get enough wind to aerate and circulate your pond. Electric Aerators - There are many good electric aerator options out there if you have access to electricity. You can then aerate 24 hours a day or put the aerator on a timer and aerate 12-14 hours if you want. Most electric aerators are one of three types – linear diaphragm, rotary vane or rocking piston in design. Solar is also a viable option but is about 2-3 times more expensive than using electricity or wind for a given CFM output. Another option is to integrate a windmill aeration system and an electric aerator into the same system. Both would share the same airlines and diffusers. A control box as sold by Outdoor Water Solutions could be used to manage the two by turning on the electric aerator when the wind isn’t blowing and shutting it back off when the wind starts. This option allows you to aerate 24 hours a day and to do it as cost effective as possible given you’re using wind energy as often as possible. The existence of algae in you pond may be a fact of life, but it is good to know that there are ways to prevent excessive growth of it and there are ways to control it with some patience and the right tools. Outdoor Water Solutions manufactures a wide range of pond and lake products including all of the products mentioned here for algae control. You can learn more at www.Outdoorwatersolutions.com or by calling 1-866-471-1614 for a free catalog.
Surface Aeration For Pond Algae Control
Surface Aeration All ponds and lakes will benefit from aeration. Pond aeration is just like adding air to an aquarium. With air, the aquarium stays fairly clean. Shut off the air and it starts to turn green. Adding oxygen to a pond helps aerobic bacteria thrive. They are the lifeblood of a healthy pond as aerobic bacteria are much more effective than anaerobic bacteria at breaking down organic matter and excess nutrients. Bottom diffused aeration brings water from the bottom of the pond to the surface where it comes in contact with sunlight and wind, which add viable oxygen. This water then goes back down to the bottom where the aerobic bacteria can start to eat the black organic matter and muck on the bottom. Surface aerators – effective on ponds with higher fish stocking rates. They can add supplemental oxygen needed to keep fish alive in the warmer summer months. They’re not as effective as bottom diffused aeration in circulating the water from top to bottom and eliminating stratification unless the pond is fairly shallow (< 8 feet). Fountains – they look great but are not really designed for aeration. They can help, especially in shallow ponds but do not add as much oxygen as a surface aerator or bottom diffused aerator. The existence of algae in you pond may be a fact of life, but it is good to know that there are ways to prevent excessive growth of it and there are ways to control it with some patience and the right tools. Outdoor Water Solutions manufactures a wide range of pond and lake products for algae control. You can learn more at www.Outdoorwatersolutions.com or by calling 1-866-471-1614 for a free catalog.
Pond Algae Control
Pond Algae Control Once you have a problem with pond algae, there are a couple of options for controlling the situation. The most common is to add a copper based algaecide, either in dry or liquid form, to kill the visible algae. You want to avoid not killing too much algae at one time because it will take most of the available oxygen out of the water and you may end up with a fish kill. Most companies recommend treating one-third of your pond at a time. Algaecides can be effective at controlling what you can see, but this does not address the bigger problem. As a result the algae problem will come back time and again. Killing the algae can also contribute to more and more excess organic matter as when it dies. It will sink to the bottom, adding yet another layer of rich, black organic matter that feeds more algae. Grass carp sometimes eat algae, but it is not common. They have been seen eating plants coated with algae, but their mouth and gills are not positioned to eat algae effectively. Although grass carp can be used to control some aquatic weeds, they should not be stocked to control algae. In fact, grass carp can add to a nutrient problem and cause algae to multiply if they are no longer eating aquatic weeds efficiently. The existence of algae in you pond may be a fact of life, but it is good to know that there are ways to prevent excessive growth of it and there are ways to control it with some patience and the right tools.