Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions From Beautiful to Ugly in 1 month.. help please!

I recently purchased a home and 8 acres that "had" a great pond that was viewable from the home and pool. When I made the offer on the house it was beautiful... now covered in Green and looks horrible. It is about an acre.. 4-5 feet deep from what I am told. Do I have all the green stuff taken off then add an aeration system and chemicals? The wife would like a pretty fountain in it, will that be sufficient for aeration?

I have been reading and trying to learn, any guidance appreciated! I will post pictures when I learn how.

thanks

Here is a picture.

Before Picture

There's a ton of links on this site on how to control the unwanted plant life. You still have a pretty place--- a little herbicide will go a long ways to clearing it up.

MetalSpine, first off welcome to Pond Boss, we're glad you found us. What we need is to identify what you are dealing with. Pull some of the weeds out of the pond and take close up photos of the plant and post it here on Pond Boss. Once the plant is identified then a solution can be recommended. And don't panic, almost any weed problem can be overcome with the correct solution.

The first step would be identifying the weed causing the problem and most likely followed by physical removal if possible. Secondly, because it's shallow, surface agitator type aerators or horizontal aerators will probably be best. The high oxygen transfer agitators aren't really fountains...forms more of a rolling frothy boil about a foot high but the pretty fountains help, just not as much for the power consumed. Third, you'll probably need to apply a chemical suited for the weed identified.

Hi MetalSpine,welcome to the forum.Dont get in a panic,once you identify the problem it wont be that hard to fix.Are there fish in the pond?
A few other things inquiring minds want to know...
1)Does the grill work?
2)Is the grill hot?
3)Is the beer cold?
4)What time do we eat?
5)Can me,Jeff and Sunil show up early?
If the answer to1,2,3 and 5 is yes,we'll help ya fix yer pond.

And if the answer is no, Tom G will still fix your pond, and it'll be bigger and deeper, too.

Welcome, Metalspine. We're glad you found us.

What are your pond goals? If you're shooting for really big LMB, a heavy stocking of tilapia might be an option, depending on the type of weed, and what's already in the pond.

Up close, does it look like Filamentous Algae?

Its filamentageous algea. the only thing that could cover a pond in a month is algea.

seems to be pithophora like. If so it will take some effort to rid of but it can be done. You have some great water qaulity in NW Arkansas. It can grow big fish if you can keep the algae out of it. Aeration just might be a great long term investment.

I agree with Greg about it being pithophora-type. Taking care of a pond requires a tool box. A carpenter will have a tool box that includes hammers, screwdirvers, saws etc. He will not use a saw to pound in a nail but he still has that saw in his tool box for use when he needs it.

That being said, a pond will require tools like chemicals, dyes, aeration, plants, fish and off-water management like keeping the lawn fertilizer at least 10 feet from the pond's edge. Getting the right mix of all of these tools and using them how they are designed to work by mother nature will allow you the perfect pond you desire.

If I had that pond, I would start with a tretment of copper and diquat to treat the algae (if that is what the problem weed is), followed by a small planting of native plants like arrowhead, pickerlweed, bullrush, iris, placed in monocultures to allow windows of access to fish. I would add aeration based on a design by one of the advertisers on this site, followed by a fish stocking again designed by one of the consultants who advertise on this site. Lastly, I would do my best to reduce the nutrient loading created on land, i.e. fertilizer, wash in from the driveway and off the roof of the house. Keep us updated on how you proceed.

Wow.. already all this help.. you guys are some friendly folks. I will take some close up pictures today of the pond to get a view of what is growing in there. There are some fish but probably not a lot the crane had a feast and a year ago the previous owner said there was a fish kill for unknown reason. We expect to have to restock the pond after we fix it.

We have some people coming today to "net" out the green stuff covering the pond, after that what would y'all do first?

Chemicals? if so what kind.
Dye? if so what kind.

Aeration, the wifey really wants a pretty fountain in this pond so will it be enough or would I buy a bottom based diffuser aeration system also?

I know everyone may have a different opinion, and I certainly appreciate all!

Ok, it is relatively cleaned out.. 6 guys all day 95 degrees.. ugh. Here are pics to help identify what is growing.. it is long and stringy.

Next step?

If I add a fountain will it get clogged fast due to residual algae?

MS, you are tougher than I. Manual removal of alage is not for me. If you want to rid of I suggest for now mix of copper and diquat to remedy. Pihthophora is a tough alage to tackle. If you cna not find the product local feel free to source our herbicide page. Good luck.

Longterm no a good fountain will not be clogged by algae.

MetalSpine, Consider two bottom airstations designed for shallow water and operate them with at least 1.25 cfm each. Chelated copper with diquat and surfactant is a good short term approach and will knock down your symptoms but will do little about your problem.Lift all of your water at least twice per day and keep a good UV inhibitor applied. Get your DO level up prior to herbicide application and dont add dye until algae is under control. Copper and diquat will show results fast if applied during full sun and I suggest doing it in the AM with sun in forecast if possible.Add a fountain for looks if wanted after problems are corrected.Gregs comments are right on.

MetalSpine - I've been in your shoes and spent many long hours raking algae, determined to be chemical free. Forget it! Its like raking leaves in the forest. You can do it forever and they'll keep coming back. Since this is your first year, and with a new home you have other priorities, consider hiring a local acquatics company to treat your pond for you. Others on this forum may think this is sacrilegious, and it costs more than doing it yourself. But then you can devote your time to deciding on an aerator, edge plantings, talapia, etc. After observing the pros you'll be better equipped to do the chemical treatments yourself next year. You'll be surprised how quickly it will look beautiful again.

Tilapia is the answer to an algae problem if avaiable in your area. They are a magic bullet - no chemicals for me.
A good aeration system is a must.

Tilapia are not only legal, Arkansas encourages stocking tilpia and now stocks most public lakes with them.

My thoughts on fountains vs aerators.

Fountains are like race horses and beauty contest winners. They are nice to look at but are only good for looking at. They don't do a whole lot of work, are expensive, and should be avoided.

Aerators are unseen, require some maintenance, but do the work you need done.

If necessary, buy both. It might be cheaper in the long run.

The fish kill was most likely caused by the weed infestation causing an oxygen crash. Look around here and you can find a lot of info, usually after the fact, about O2 crashes.

Dave, that is one of the funniest and most relevant fountain vs. aerator comparisons I have ever heard. Well done sir.

Ok.. got the FA, and Duckweed under control.. now it appears the Water Meal is going crazy... I need recommendation's on killing it and suggestions on Water fountain source that can act as an aerator.

Where do I buy Tilapia in Arkansas?