What Exactly Is Algae, and How Can I Stop It?

  • March 1, 2023
What Exactly Is Algae, and How Can I Stop It? - Air-O-Lator - Pond Aeration & Maintenance Products

Algae are common in ponds. Every person who owns a pond will likely come across it at some point. Algae can grow on the surface or even at the bottom of the pond. Despite its potential to be a nuisance, algae is an essential and natural component of a pond’s environment. However, excessive algae growth can pose a challenge. This article will talk about algae and how to get rid of it.

An aquatic plant that thrives in water and the summer sun is known as algae. It is possible to include a collection of weeds and other single-celled formations. Additionally, unlike typical plants, it lacks stems or roots. Even in a pond with low oxygen levels, algae can thrive. An aeration system is necessary to keep the water moving. By doing this, you can stop algae from growing in your pond.

Algae of Various Types

The algae in your pond can be identified by its appearance. There are three common types of algae found in ponds.

  • Algae: The first type is planktonic algae, which are found in plankton. The water’s appearance can be altered by this kind of algae, which typically grows in the water column. It can, for instance, make your water brown, bluish-green, or green. If the fish in your pond are left alone with algae, oxygen levels will quickly drop, and they won’t be able to survive.

  • Filaments in algae: These algae are commonly referred to as pond muck or scum. The algae cover the pond’s surface in a mat-like or thick covering. If it is not treated, it floats on top of the water and can completely cover or turn all of the pond green.

 

  • Chara: The Chara algae is the plant that looks the most like it. It can have thorn-like growths and six to sixteen leaf-like branchlets. The branchlets spiral around the stem because there are no flowers, leaves, or roots on it. At first glance, it may appear like plants submerged in a pond.

How to Get Rid of Algae

How you treat algae varies depending on whether you have it or want to avoid it. The first step in preventing it is to put in an aeration system in your pond. Because the oxygen will keep the water moving, algae blooms will not form. Algaecides are great if you already have a lot of algae in your area. Lastly, Pond Dyes are also great at shading the pond’s surface. By doing this, the protective coating will prevent the sun’s rays from fueling algae growth.