Question from Gayle
I live on a pond that is experiencing a huge overgrowth of alge and vegatation. I can’t help if this is due to the extreme heat that MI has experienced , and the lack of rain. The homes around the pond wish to “treat” it. Is there a company whose products you promote as being “environmentally friendly” and as “nontoxic” as can be for this type of treatment? Thanks so much, Gayle
Debra’s Answer
Readers, any suggestions?
One environmentally-friendly, natural option to try and rid your pond of algae overgrowth is to place bales of barley straw in the water. Here is one link to more details on this method: http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/fw/warmwater/barleystraw.pdf
Never add any species of fish or plant to a natural pond unless you know it’s an appropriate native species. If it’s a protected wetland or riparian area, you shouldn’t be adding anything, including chemicals, without permission from the appropriate regulatory agency. People can destroy an ecosystem with ignorance. Please do research before doing anything.
if you get a badminton racket and a bucket and scoop the algae into the bucket, klaus you can put the algae in your garden and have free fertilizer.
I suggest that you go to Raymon Grace’s website and treat some water in a container using his application, then put it in the body of water. You would have to treat repeatedly until water is clear.
I have used a product called EM•1® Microbial Inoculant in garden applications. In looking at their website
http://www.emearth.com/NewFiles/WatrQuality.html
I see the product is helpful for water quality. Perhaps this would work to balance the pond.
Heat and lack of fresh water are probably the reasons, and both are short-term issues. The only long-term, environmentally-safe answer is to provide aeration. It needs to circulate water all the way from the bottom of the pond, not just ripple the surface. You can find solar aerators if there’s no power supply nearby. Check with nearby community colleges, as ours offers a periodic class on pond maintenance. They may know of someone in your area who could recommend the right aerator(s)for your situation. Don’t let others talk you into going the chemical route. If it works, it won’t be for long, and you’ll end up spending more over the long run than if you’d invested in aeration in the first place. Another consideration – wildlife. Undoubtedly other creatures depend on your pond, and to use anything harmful would be tragic.
Certain types of algae are very toxic to both humans and animals causing rashes, sickness and even death within a few hours especially if ingested if I remember right. I would do some research on it before I started scooping with a tennis racket or letting your furry friends in it. Park lakes and ponds have been closed here in the area before due to toxic algae blooms. I found some info on the CDC website about Harmful Algae Blooms but couldn’t find a link. Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Colleen
Algae and vegetation overgrowth is usually due to runoff of nitrogen from lawns. Adding carp to your pond will help clean up the vegetation as they are plant eaters.
“How Do Algal Treatments Work?”
EzineArticles Expert Author Dr Richmond Loh
Seaworld in Queensland currently uses blue food dye in combination with other management measures to help curb algal overgrowth in their dolphin pools.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6884901
Our local park (Barboursville Park in Barboursville WV) uses the food dye as well. I’ve not had any reaction to it. You may want to contact them
Shelter ReservationsPO Box 266Barboursville, WV
(304) 736-8994 XT 27 This number is for shelter reservations but they may know where to direct your call to find out about what they use for the algae.
Hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Colleen