Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Fertilization fertilization

Will early fertilization help in a pond with a history of filamentous algae problem help as long as it is fertilized before the algae begins to grow.

By help, do you mean help the algae to grow?

Assuming that is not the case and that you prefer to discourage the algae, then by all means do not fertilize...in my experience, you will make the problem worse, much worse possibly.

Some of the pond management publications actually recommend fertilizing to get rid of weeds and algae under the theory that by fertilizing, you foster plankton blooms which makes the water green and in turn allows less sunlight penetration which in turn (in theory) gets rid of algae and weeds...a miracle..only it was a disaster for me. It was a miracle of explosive weed growth and algae mats so thick you could walk across the pond. What the theory fails to account for is that existing weeds and algae can and do utilize the fertilizer quicker than the plankton can generate enough shade to stop them...at least that is what happened to me. Some say well you didn't fertilize enough, some say well you fertilized too much...the point is that fertilizing a pond with existing weeds and algae is at best a high risk situation, and at worst a disaster waiting to happen.

I don't pay much attention to those publications anymore.

Well I did it. I wasnt sure if I wanted to but.. its done. I added a 1/2 gal of the Dunn's liquid fertilizer today. The water has been hovering around 60 and has been over 60 for 3 days.

I know the feeding program has helped very much, I know liming the pond should help a lot, so this is why I was wondering if I should even bother with ferilization. I want to try to keep a light fertilzation program and hopefully I like it...

Thanks ML, having a terrible FA problem in my larger renovation that started in January I had been wondering how fertilization could help. I didn't see how and you just confirmed. I hope there's no DO crash before the Tilapia are ready to stock. The mechanical harvest is a pain in the butt at best.
Man I didn’t realize how old this thread was, Joey must have been digging in the basement.

My experience parallels ML's. I fertilized 2 years in a row and had 2 DO crashes. Haven't had a crash since I quit trying to get 10 pounds of fish in a 5 pound bag.

However, others have reported successfully using fertilization to kill water weeds. I've had darn good luck with Grass Carp on all vegetation.

After sleeping on the fertilization thing.. after it was applied. I really dont think I want to do it. I doubt I will reapply it. Between the tons of lime I just put in the fall and a good feeding program I should be ok. I did think about it before I applied but you just dont feel danger till after you apply it.

Anyone need 4 gal of Dunn's liquid.

Joey, I think of fertilizer as a tool. I can't drive nails without a hammer but I have to be careful about hitting my finger. In your area, you may have use for the tool. I think Greg Grimes uses it.

I have a bunch of FA in my main pond; more than I have ever seen. However, I also have murky water. In this pond, I have no carp but am considering it. I need to get some for another guys place so may get a couple for mine. They don't particularly like FA but I figure they will eat it or starve.

Here is what I seen or observed since I got the place. Last year, I though the water was kinda clear, I did have (FA) green slim on the bottom. I started a feeding program because I felt the need to boost the forage. After learning a lot here I thought maybe fertilize it this year. But at the cost of a crash, I am not sure if its worth it. I already see or it seems much more bugs and the place just looks rich to me, I was thinking because of the lime. I just put the fertilizer yesterday so that has nothing to do with what I am feeling as far as the ponds health. I got tons of baby sunfish, I culled some bass, I have other fish in there but want to manage my sunfish and whatever benifits from that is where I want o go. I want to get mosquito fish to add another level of forage but the closest supplier has been blowing me off since before Xmas.

From my experience in Ga. a fertlized pond is the only way to go, some carp will probably be helpful but an unfertlized clear pond is no fun in this area the ponds just seem to die with no food source. Just remember to keep the visability at around 24 inches. You have spent the time and money on lime so might as well give it a try. My experience after going years with no fertlizer and now is 100% positive to keep a light bloom on the pond as soon and as long as possible. Just remember to start slow and give it time to work.

I put the fertilizer 4 days ago. Its been 80 here every day since I put it. The water I saw as high as 68. How long does it take?? I think I see a less visability then I did. Or is a bloom going to stick out odvious...

sometimes it works in a day or 2, but usally the first bloom on the year takes a little longer and even a second application is necessary (after 2 weeks)..a stake or yard stick with a shiney object attached to the end lets you monitor the clearity of the water on a weekly basis.

Once I see what it looks like then I will try to keep it as a light bloom all summer.