Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Brian Loberger

Brian,

Under this thread there is a heading "How To Control Algae" which was started by Dave Keyes. In that topic you posted that you used an ordinary pool skimming net followed by some chemical control to attack your algae problem. Its been awhile and I'm just curious if you are still using this approach in your pond?
The algae in my pond is beginning to acquire some water real estate and I'm gving some thought to trying the net skimming approach. With a 10-12' pole I could probably skim off 90%. My ponds is only about 1/3 acre in size.

Russ

Russ, I'm not the Brian you're asking, but I have had good luck raking out filametaious algae (sp?) I can tell you this it is better to rake it out than to use a chemical. Chemicals kill it in the water then it sinks and then can feed the next bloom of algae. It decomposes on the bottom and after a period of time will create a black stinking sludge on the bottom of your pond. During decomposition it is also putting off carbon dioxide and burning up O2. My pond is small right now so I rake it if it gets bad, but I also use a small amount of blue dye, along with having deeper banks to keep down on the algae and haven't had to rake anything in the last 3 years. The pool skimmer should do well. Good luck.

The best net for filamentous algae removal is one that has 3/16" to 1/4" mesh. We have found that a smelt dipping net with extendable handle works great. It has long reach and algae does not stick to the mesh which helps in dumping each collection. For large jobs a 1/4 mesh seine works good for skimming floating algae. I don't get concerned to remove filamentous algae until it floats or is in the process of breaking lose from the bottom.

While still attached to the bottom it is absorbing, removing and binding up chemicals and nutrients from the pond ie purifying the water. When the algae breaks lose it is bascialy done growing and removing nutrients. Then floating on the surface it is waiting to die or be sent to the bottom and decompose to recycle the previously absorbed chemicals ie polluting the water.

Removal is the best method for filamentous algae management in smaller ponds but not always the most practical or time efficient. However the excercise is good for you and the algae is good nutrient rich compost.

LD and Bill,

Thanks for the comments. The algae in my pond is getting to the point it needs some attention and I'm not overly receptive to the use of chemicals. I've got some 1/4" mesh hardware cloth so I'll fashion some type of homemade net and see how it works.

Russ

Sorry I missed this post. I have never seen my name in the subject line before. I still skim it a few minutes each day. If you keep up on it it works great. The best time to skim out the mats of floating algae is on a windy day that it all collects in one corner. You can pull out the net full and heavy that way. It is good exercise and gives you some quiet time to observe your pond. Many of the critters living in there I would be totally unaware of if I didn't do this. The biggest consideration here is that you are removing matter from the pond. Leaves and insects ect. enter it all the time and aside from catching fish it doesn't leave.

The pool skimmer net works great. I can never complain about it. The algae falls right out when I flip it. It also has a telescoping handle and as I remember was not that expensive. Do not throw the algae on the banks. You need to get it far enough away so that the nutrient doesn't wash back in as it breaks down.

Good luck.

Brian,

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to build a net for skimming and see how it works.

Russ