Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Moss Problems

Hello. I have a pond that is roughly 1/2 acre in diameter. In the last couple of weeks a moss has began to cover the top of the water. In just that short time, the moss has almost covered the whole pond. It is a yellowish color and I can take pics of it if needed.

It's impossible to even fish this tank right now it's so bad. How do I get rid of this stuff without killing the channel catfish that I stocked in it?

Thanks

txfour:

Greetings and welcome to the forum.

See the archive thread on Filamentous Algae ("FA"). There are many pictures and links there that you can use to see 1) if what you have is (likely) FA, and 2) some control measures that you may find useful. Then come right back and hit us with any questions that have raised themselves.

OK. I read the post. Thanks for the link. Tilapia isn't an option for me. Golden shad may be. Dye looks like the best option for me. Am I reading right that the dye will get rid of this stuff?

Make that "Golden Shiners", not Shad. And their impact on FA is not nearly as sure a thing as chemicals, dye, or Tilapia.

Yes, pond dyes can be very effective at controlling FA by preventing sunlight from reaching the bottom of the pond where the FA grows ("mature" FA, inflated with gas bubbles, is what floats up to the surface and gives FA it's well-deserved "pond scum" nickname). Be aware that these dyes also prevent much of the beneficial microscopic plant growth (phytoplankton) that is the basis for 90% or so of the foodchain in your pond, and it's use will lower the amount of fish (and other animal life) that your pond will support naturally.

If your main goal is to have a clean pond for swimming or other reasons, dye is probably a good choice. If you want to maximize fish production, it probably is a poor choice.

If your pond has a large volume of water flowing through it (from a stream or large watershed with lots of rainfall), this will dilute the dye and reapplications will be required more often for it to remain effective.

Well, it's not so much about swimming or anything like that. It's just impossible to fish which is why I stocked the pond in the first place. I beautifully clear in the winter, but we don't fish in the winter.

Let's say I go the dye route. What options do I have to try and maintain my fish. I already feed floating catfish food.

Thanks

Also, will the dye just take care of what is on the bottom and not the mats on the surface?

At a half acre I suggest a rake. Not joking. Either wade or use a boat to rake it to shore and remove it and use it for compost. Most of the FA will be in 5 ft or less of water (unless you have super clear water). Here is the reason. The cause of the problem is fertile water and sunlight penetration. Remove either and it can't grow. With dye or chemicals the FA dies but more importantly the nutrients stay in the pond and will be used by next years FA. If you rake it out then the nutrients locked up in the FA are out of the pond.

I would not suggest dye in your situation as it will not get rid of the existing floating FA nor that which is about to float up.

ewest, thanks for the advice. However, with my fear of snakes there is no way i am going into that pond. I realize your method is probably the best one, but not practical for me. And I dont think I could buy enough beer and burgers to convince my buddy's to rake my pond for me.

I have wondered if the Sticky Rope could be used to remove floating FA as well as duckweed.

Do grass carp eat FA?

Practically never.

you could make one of my alge tools.
Read this

http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=36081#Post36081

Gene...link doesnt work for me for some reason

Works OK for me.