Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Algae problem

My lake is about 4 acres and just finished filling and unfortunately I seem to have an algae problem. After reading several posts I think what I have is what everyone seems to call filamentous. It is a thick bright green slimy looking algae that is starting to surround my shoreline. It seems to start anywhere and everywhere and ends up at the banks. I just stocked the lake last Spring and the fish are doing great and I don’t want to harm them but the algae is not great to look at. Most everyone out there seems to like cultrine plus for controlling this problem. I just wish there was a product out there that would last longer and still be safe for the fish. Any advice before I start would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks:: Vince

If the problem isn't too bad yet you could try barley straw.

you didn't read this from me but, i put 100 lb's hydrated lime in acre pond spring and fall. it will kill the algae on contact, you cannot use alot or when the fish are spawning. i'm sure it kills other things in pond too (?) try it in some spots, you kill too much to fast could be a problem. i've used it since i made the pond and the fish look great as does the pond, has nice blueish green tint with 2 ft. visibility, plus i aerate.

ken - continual or long term application of 100 lb twice per year of hydrated lime in one acre will eventually cause water quality problems.

bill, tell me , hows that. thank you

Vincent, I've used cutrine and have great sucess with it. You shouldn't have any problems this early in the year if you kill it all. During the summer it's virtually gone within a week I don't know how long it'll take this time of year with the variable temps. Just remember that with algae cutrine isn't a one-time cure. Probably within a month or two you'll have to re-apply it depending how much nutrient rich runoff your pond receives. However, applying now should help keep things from getting to bad.

your right Bill , i did some seaching and found nothing good about it with fish in the pond and can kill them. shame , does great job on the algae. guy sold me my fish told me to use it to help with my leaves. guess i have to cut even more down . thanks for info

Green Head, I ordered cutrine from a place in CA yesturday and it was $150 for a 4 gallon case. Is that normal?

Tacoma Bill-Yeah, that sounds about right. I think I pay about $35-39 a gallon for liquid.

Sorry Bob, didn't mean to call you Bill.

tacoma bob/green head

try calling dodge city farm supply for your cultrine plus,i paid 26.00 gallon about 2 months ago.not sure what shipping would cost to your area but it might be worth a call.225-664-3351

Thanks Lee. Sounds like a pretty good deal.

Looking for the straight "skinny" here...

Was told by one of my fish suppliers that the Triploid Grass Carp will control filamentous algea...read here and on other sites/pub that they won't control it...also been told and read that the M-Tilapia will control and eat it...

I'm looking for a way to control without using chemical applications...

Bottm line...will either of these species control the algea problem ? If so, are they effective, are there problems associated with them ?

I've got a 1 acre pond (tank) about 30% covered with the stuff...the pond is going to be expanded to around 3.5 acres this summer and aerated as well at that time...currently stocked with CNB and Redears, being fed 32% four times daily (small amounts each time) ...got some !@#$ bullheads and "Greenies" in it as well, but my 8 year old is working them over...will be adding F1s and Channels soon as I'm able to control the algea problem...

Anybody out there have some input or suggestions ?

Torchy

Bill , when you get time , i would appreciate more info on using high calcium hydrated lime in the pond , about 100 lbs in an acre pond , 25 lbs here and there , through the course of a year. could you be more specific on the long term or short term effects ?

Vincent,
Be careful with the frequent applications of Cutrine to your pond. This product has a copper base (heavy metal buildup) I was informed of this by a local fisheries biologist. He always preferrs to control weeds with biological methods first and chemicals second. The best is to get your water color "right" 18" visibility, by keeping the phytoplankton bloom going. This stuff, if it is filamentous algae, grows on the bottom and produces oxygen, and when enough of the bubbles build up under the mat of algae it breaks loose and floats to the top creating a green mat of scum.

i'm not one to stop using something that works very well , so i took the lime thing further. i talked to 2 chemical engineers about what i was doing with the lime , spreading about 25 lbs when i see it growing , around the perimeter of the pond , they said on an acre pond it will not hurt anything. only way it would , is to use way too much and raise the PH level fast. i mentioned copper bass products to control algea and both said NO , without hesitation. the lime changes the PH in the algea immediately and kills it. theres a product on the market(Greenclean , $150 for 50 lbs) that kills algea immediately. I wonder whats in that ?. high calcium hydrated lime , at 5 bucks for 50 lbs , very cheap solution. my pond has got to be the only pond around here with very little algea. there is some , i only use it when it gets out of control. i used cutrine granular once and it did nothing. lime is everywhere in the environment and does one way or another end up in water sources.(from both engineers) i just thought i would pass this on. if somebody knows otherwise i would appreciate hearing.