Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Fertilization First Bloom

First time pond bloomed, a greem film stays on top of water at the shore line in the direction the wind is blowing. Is this normal or an indication of too much fertilizer? The water clarity in these places is very limited.

Without a more detailed description of your situation it is difficult to say what is "normal"

However, a green film is not at all uncommon on ponds I have owned and managed. It is caused in springtime by excessive tree pollen, especially pine trees. On other occasions, it is caused by a form of algae. It usually disappears quickly especially after a rain.

This film did not show up until the pond bloomed, on a five acre pond I put 3 bags on a rack and scattered 4 bags around the shore edge. The directions said to use 1-2 bags per acre so I decided on using 7. The water clearity was at 22 inches and went to 14 on the side of the pond the wind was blowing from, but with the film forming on the other side the clearity is about 4-5 inches at the most. The film covers about 1/8 of the pond. I live in Georgia and the management book says to fertilize when clearity is over 18 inches and try to maintain bloom for 12 to 18 inches for this area. With all the rain this year and the red clay in this area it took a while for the pond to clear this year. The film that is forming is a light green and looks kinda like a food coloring. No problems with weeds. Thanks for any comments.

A green film, as meadowlark has noted, is in and of itself nothing to worry about. If a Secchi disk in my pond disappeared at 14 inches, however, I would be very nervous, indeed, that a stretch of several cloudy days in a row might be the beginnings of disaster. I try to keep mine just under 18 inches, using the AAT (Auburn Arm Test).

You might want to consider using the finely granular, instantly dissolving fertilizer which is now widely available in the future. It is much easier to control how much phosphate is going into your pond and when. It is also good to remember that phosphate doesn’t go away until it is washed away.
Lou 13.5

Thank you for your comment and suggestion, the forcast is for sunny days with evening thunderstorms, maybe with good luck we'll get some rain to help with the situation. What is the deal with meadowlark and what can be done to rid it?

Part of my last post is missing sorry, what is the deal with the green film? and to rid it?

DNR is now working on new pond guide to say keep 18-24 inches. It will also mention "new" water soulble fertilizer. THisis much easier to use than granular. Where are you located?

It is overfertilization. Treat the green film with 2% solution of K-tea or smiliar copper based liquid algaecide. You should not neeed more than a quart of product ot rid of this.

Thanks for the info. I'm in middle Ga. near Milledgeville. Is there anything else I can do to help if I have over fertlized? You suggest one quart of 2% solution of K-tea or smiliar copper based liquid algaecide for the green film only? It did wash away with a heavy rain we got, but the water is definately too dark. only about 10 inches at most.