Pond Boss
Posted By: Brian S. Algae keeps coming back - 08/28/09 02:08 AM
Have treated my 1/2 acre pond three times in the past 6 weeks to kill my algae problem. Have been using 2 gallons of copper sulfate liquid and mixing each gallon with 2 gallons water and spraying around the edges. It does rid the pond in a few days and I keep getting my hopes up, but in a week or so it keeps re-emerging. For some reason this summer I can't rid my pond of the stuff for any length of time. I read a post above that mentioned using Hydrothol may cause more algae growth and I did treat my pond a few months ago with 40 pounds to rid it of a major pondweed problem. It killed the pondweed and I tried to remove as much of the dead stuff as I could with a garden rake. I know any nutrients just cause more fuel so I try to keep the dead weeds and algae removed as well as I can. Am I alone with an algae problem this summer?? It has been very wet and my pond has been overfilled a few times with drainage.
Posted By: CoachB Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/28/09 05:12 AM
This was the first year with my pond by Ann Arbor. I have had a thick ring about 6 feet wide most of the summer. Just this last week it started to break up a bit on one end. I have treated with GreenClean with some success, but it has been a problem.
Posted By: Rainman Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/28/09 07:41 AM
Michigan must have something unique going on this year. A customer there will be getting his BT around 10am even though it's so late in the season. He only had minnows so I sent some starving youngins that want to grow a bunch fast on the algae.
Posted By: 2catmom Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/28/09 11:15 AM
No Brian, you are not alone. Our lakes have had more algae this year too, even the ones that have no storm drains have had some algae they normally don't. A wierd brown algae that grows on the bottom, and floats to the top with hair like things in it. Michigan weather just wasn't normal, I'm so angry that the Summer of Fun did not have the weather it should have. Too much rain early on, no spring and look at summer in the 50's at night in July and August? I feel robbed.
Posted By: Brian S. Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/28/09 02:36 PM
 Originally Posted By: 2catmom
No Brian, you are not alone. Our lakes have had more algae this year too, even the ones that have no storm drains have had some algae they normally don't. A wierd brown algae that grows on the bottom, and floats to the top with hair like things in it. Michigan weather just wasn't normal, I'm so angry that the Summer of Fun did not have the weather it should have. Too much rain early on, no spring and look at summer in the 50's at night in July and August? I feel robbed.


2cat,
Your description of the weird brown algae pretty well describes mine also. Don't recall seeing this type before and just doesn't want to go away, even with treatment. I've also had the typical FA that floats in mats, but this other type seems to be more of the problem. I agree this was the summer that wasn't!! And according to the forecast it appears to be the summer that went!!

By the way, your signature pretty well describes the way my wife thinks I believe!!!

Brian S.
Posted By: CoachB Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/28/09 04:11 PM
time to unpack the parkas! I'll get my ice fishing rod!

I am going to try to rake the last of the gunk off of the surface. I also have the brown stuff on the bottom.
Posted By: 2catmom Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/28/09 04:57 PM
It will be impossible to keep my tan up for the conference, really makes me mad, this is crappy isn't it?
Posted By: CoachB Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/29/09 09:40 PM
I wish I could go to the conference. It is in the middle of my football season. I hope the next one is at a different time of year.
Posted By: 2catmom Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/30/09 07:58 PM
I think we need the Michigan Contingent all together at the conference, don't you? Well, this is sad: how can the summer be over, I can't stand it! It is 64 for the high and going down to 47 tonight - this is just not fair! I hope we don't cancel our last lake treatment, I won't be able to say goodbye to the BOS.
Posted By: Brian S. Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/31/09 01:43 AM
I would take 47 tonight, 43 predicted here and 40 tomorrow night!! Thank goodness for global warming!!
Posted By: CoachB Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/31/09 01:45 AM
I think we should have a michigan area pond boss meeting somewhere. Maybe Brighton. Easy to get to. We could choose a time mid winter.
Posted By: CJBS2003 Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/31/09 01:55 AM
You can have our heat... I think we are finally gonna get a break from it tomorrow.
Posted By: Brian S. Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/31/09 02:24 AM
I just made a new post with some pictures of what I think is my algae problem!! Some new kind I don't recall seeing before. Usually just the FA strings and chunks that float and removed with a yard rake. The rake does remove this, but it does seem to break up and leave some floating. Sure would like to know how to get rid of it!!

A Michigan pond meeting of the minds would probably be a good thing! I live halfway between Port Huron and Flint. Seems there is always something new very year to figure out!!
Posted By: 2catmom Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/31/09 11:42 AM
Brian S:
I live in Troy. I don't see any photos? Do you have a pool skimmer? I can't live without mine.
Posted By: Brian S. Re: Algae keeps coming back - 08/31/09 12:56 PM
 Originally Posted By: 2catmom
Brian S:
I live in Troy. I don't see any photos? Do you have a pool skimmer? I can't live without mine.


2cat,
The photos are in another post. The title is Algae Identification and Control and is in the same forum that we are in now, "Controlling unwanted plants". Should be three photos showing the algae I am having my problems with. Let us know you find it??
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