Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Algae popping up everywhere.

New1/4 acre pond filled 2/17 stocked in April. This pond is spring fed. Aerated all summer stopped aerating In nov. when water tempeture dropped to 50 degrees. Three weeks ago the pond had two inches ice on it. This week the water temp is in the upper 50s and fish are actively feeding. Problem is algae is popping up everywhere. Is it normal? I have been skimming off all I can but can’t keep up. What should I do?

Clear water during winter allow light to reach lots of bottom areas and algae grows well on the mud bottom utilizing the nutrients from the sediments. Pond dye helps slow algae growth and limits how deep it will grow. Dye to work best should be applied in fall before winter and a small amount applied each month of open water to refresh the color loss due to fading, evaporation, chemical decomposition of the organic dye, and dilution. Amount of monthly addition refreshments depend on size of pond, volume of water, and brand of dye. Some dye brands are more concentrated than others. In your case with gallon size dye brand I would add about 0.6 - 0.7 cup per month after the initial application.

Keep removing the algae because it contains absorbed nutrients. Algae that dies in the pond recycles the nutrients back for more plant growth. Having fewer fish and adding less fish food helps better manage nutrient inputs. When the water reaches 64F consider investing in some tilapia (5-7 adults) who will eat lots of the current algae crop. If the algae is getting ahead of the tilapia by July, next year use 7-10 adults.