Algaecide Use in Ponds

Learn how algaecide can free your pond of excess, unhealthy algae.

As spring rolls in, it will be time to start working on your pond or water garden. The weather warms up, and your pond is exposed to more sunlight. With the increase of sunlight and rising temperatures, your pond turns into the perfect breeding ground for algae.

Keeping Your Pond Algae Free

There are benefits of algae growth in a pond. It provides a natural food and oxygen source for fish, and can give your pond a more natural look. It’s normal for ponds to have a growth of algae in the spring. If this is your case, give the pond four to six weeks for the algae to reduce. By adding new plants to your water garden, they will provide natural shade to help prevent algae growth. Clean your filters and pumps. Use waterfalls, fountains and pond pumps to get the water rotating and filtering with oxygen.

Of course, these options will not always work, especially if algae is still growing late in the season. There are a few culprits for late season algae growth. Excess sunlight and warm water temperatures paired with high levels of carbon dioxide and phosphate can increase the amount of algae growth. Imbalance of nutrients in your pond can easily be solved in a couple ways. One of those ways is algaecide.

What is Algaecide?

Algaecide is a chemical substance that biologically controls the growth of algae. It can be used in pools, fountains, and ponds. Pond algaecide,when properly used with fish and pond plants, such as water lilies, is a great solution to algae management. When using an algaecide, make sure to follow the directions on the container. Only use the recommended amount. If you use too much, it can deplete the levels of oxygen in your pond, causing plants and fish to die.

When using algaecide, remember that aeration is needed to keep your fish alive while the chemicals are working. We recommend you begin the algaecide process early in the day, so you can keep an eye on your fish throughout the day. This way you’ll be able to add more aeration throughout the day if needed.

A balance of shade and proper filtration and aeration will ultimately help you have a healthy, functioning pond. For more guides and how-to’s, check out Blain’s Farm& Fleet’s Pond blog.