Habitat - Outdoor :: Green Water? Algicides?

[Smoofish268]

I have an 8 year old RES, Rigby, who is growing out of her aquarium, and I'm in the process of looking for a larger pond to make her permanent home. We have an outdoor pond that's been up and running since the beginning of May, and after doing my research I set it up as a temporary home for Rigby until I can get her other pond. Everything was going fine, until the past week I've noticed the water getting green. There's no real algae growth on the sides of the pond, and it's not that serious yet, but I'm starting to wonder if I need to get some sort of water treatment, and if so which one that is safe for turtles and fish? The pond Rigby is in is 160 gallons with a powerful filter, and no plants yet but we plan on getting some soon. I've tried looking some products up online but I can't find any concrete answers on which is the best/safest for aquatic life. I figured my best bet would be to turn to those who have experience with outdoor ponds, and so here I am!

I appreciate the help in advance!

[GunnerMan]

Well it sounds like you have some Planctonic algea growing or "blooming' You can use an algeacide such as AlgeaFix to stop the problem, also having about 70% of your pond in shade by water plants and a balance pH are great deterents for algea. Alas ponds by nature have algea bloom in them so I need to say for a pond if you want clear water, the best thing for you to do is go buy a UV clarifier. It is a strong UV light that is in a sealed box. The water is pumped through the box and is thus exposed to the UV light. The UV light kills all algea and bacteria that is living in the water. It will make your pond look like the day you first filled it up in terms of water clarity, also great for killing parasites that may just be waiting to get on to your turt or fish.

So as I said you can use an Algeacide but it is a costly and not 100% effective solution, i use it a little bit to make sure the algea on the walls and rocks stays in check and string algea is killed.

Also keeping a balanced pond in terms of shade, temp, pH, and nutirents are some of the best things to combat algea and keep your pond healthy all around. These should be done even with an Algeacide or UV clarifier.

The last and most expencive upfront is the UV Clarifier. You can find many makes, sizes, wattages, and setups. You need to find one that works for you and your pond setup. As with filters get a UV light that is made for a pond that is larger than yours. The uv light puts nothing into the water, is never seen and is 100% efficient when it comes to planctonic algea and microbes.

[DavidY]

That's excellent advice. How often does the UV light bulb need to be replaced in the Clarifier?

[Smoofish268]

Wow - I had never heard of a UV Clarifier before you suggested it, GunnerMan. It sounds really neat, and probably a good investment -- definitely something we will check into. Our pond does get sun from 10:00 in the morning to around 6:30 at night. Until we get our landscaping done around it (whole backyard renovtion, basically -- the pond was the first step) we have umbrella's to provide shade for now. I knew we would have some sort of algae growth, I just didn't expect the water to turn as quickly as it did.

If it kills all of the bacteria, though, will the fish and turt be all right? I was always lead to believe that you need some amount of bacteria in the water, for the fish at least, to have a happy, healthy pond. With the UV clarifier is that not true, however?
DavidY asked two other questions that popped into my mind. Also, do they vary in size like the filters do, or do they fit any size pond?

Thanks so much your help!

[DavidY]

I think I can answer your bacteria question...The beneficial bacteria that you want for the biological filtration of your pond is the kind that attaches itself to any hard surfaces in the water, especially where there is good water flow and high oxygen levels. Usually pond and aquarium filters have a section for biological media like ceramic rings, stars or a sponge with a lot of surface area for the bacteria to colonize. Once established, a UV clarifier won't have any effect on them. So it's probably best to not use that kind of sterilizer until the filter has been fully cycled. They also come in different wattages and flow rates so you need to find the right size for your pond. And like GunnerMan suggested, go with one that is rated for a pond higher than what you have since a turtle pond tends to be messier (more waste/nutrients) than a fish pond would be.

[GunnerMan]

Yes, we always turn our light off for 24 hours after adding bacteria to give it time to establish.

Replacing your light bulb should be done once a season. We have used a bulb for one and a half seasons though they start to loose efficiency after a season or so. By a season I mean the time when your pond is not frozen over or water temps are to cold for any thing to actively grow. When not in use take the light inside, we have spent over $400 on units because we left them in the pond for the winter.

Also one more thing I forgot to add, is having good water flow is a must to keep your pond algea free, a UV light can not work if water is not flowing through it. A lot of pre-made ponds sell pumps that are way to small for the size of pond, in realistic terms you can never pump your water through your pond fast enough. We have a 1500 Gal pond and we run a 1800 Gph pump. I would not hesitate to buy a 2000 Gph pump either if my 1800 bit the hay, pumps loose capacity over time...

[Smoofish268]

All right, I understand it better now. Thank you both for you help. I think we're going to the store where we got our pond tomorrow, so I'll do a little more research online and look into everything you've suggested. I do know our pond has good water flow. I'd have to get the box it came in to be exact, but I'm pretty sure our filter pumps 500 Gph, and the pond is 160 gallons.

Once I get the water cleared I'll be sure to post pictures, too.

Thanks again!

[GunnerMan]

Sounds good!

[reptilegrrl]

What you really need is better filtration. I have never had green water in my pond for more than a few days, because I have a LOT of filtration.

[Holiday Rambler]

pumps loose capacity over time...[/quote]

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When I first got started with ponds,I almost replaced a perfectly good pump.
The problem was the hose going up to the waterfall was slowly getting clogged.
Every once on a while unhook the hose and stick the garden hose in there and watch the gunk come out.