Pond Boss Forums INTRO Common Pond Q&A (archives) Filamentous Algae, aka Pond Scum/Moss - Management

Originally posted by Bill Cody:
fins, Read the topics about dealing with filamentous algae.

Cutrine & CuSO4
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=67028

Copper Sulfate vs CutrinePlus
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=34563

Copper Sulfate Buildup Discussion Thread
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=552672&#Post552672

Copper Sulfate Fate in the Sediments and Copper use Concerns
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=269325&page=1

Copper is not legal in some places and some bacterial and enzyme alternatives
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=38655&page=1

More Copper Talk and Cutrine-Plus Good Discussion
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=334884

Fish Dying Was It Copper Sulfate or Oxygen Loss
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=180003

Grass Carp Dying Was it Copper Sulfate Used For Algae?
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=35565

Copper and Grass Carp(CG)
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=552675&#Post552675

FA Problem Using Copper and Alternatives
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=548108

Dealing with NUTRIENTS that cause excess algae
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=530996

Info discussion about carp and Koi not eating algae
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=262112

Copper Sulfate or Cutrine for Chara
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=288470
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=265250
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=133933

Copper sulfate and Water Meal
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=472099

Eating Fish From Copper Sulfate Use Pond
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=410594

FA problem Responses from TractorByNet
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/pond-identity-crisis-please-help-pics.165938/

Oregon State Univ
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/archive/cuso4tech.html

https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/046923-00004-20170830.pdf
ALGAE CONTROL from COMMERCIAL LABEL, Old Bridge Chemicals, Inc - When using Copper Sulfate crystals and buffered versions (pentahydrate) to control algae, there are many factors to consider such as water hardness, temperature of the water, type and quantity of vegetation to be controlled and the amount of water flow. Algae can be controlled more easily and effectively if treatment with Copper Sulfate is [b]made soon after algae growth has started. Under such circumstances, small amounts of Copper Sulfate can effectively control algae in water. However, if treatment is delayed until large amounts of algae are present larger quantities of Copper Sulfate will be required. Control of algae in water systems is not always permanent. Usually algae is more difficult to control with Copper Sulfate when water temperatures are low. The dose rates for Copper Sulfate are based on a water temperature of 60 º F or higher. Larger amounts of Copper Sulfate will be required in hard water because the copper binds with then water hardness (ions).

https://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/plants/factsheets/CopperFactsheet.pdf
Impacts on Fish and Other Aquatic Organisms Copper sulfate is rarely used in Wisconsin, in part due to its high toxicity to invertebrates (water fleas, crustaceans, mollusks, mayflies, snails, and crayfish) and multiple species of fish (trout, bluegill and minnow) at typical application concentrations.

The chelated forms of copper have different toxicology profiles from each other and from copper sulfate. The chelated copper products can also be toxic to fish at application rates, particularly to trout and bluegill in soft water (CaCO3 <50ppm). Applications to harder water provide a greater margin of safety to fish.
Many of the chelated copper products are also toxic to invertebrates at application rates. High concentrations of copper in lake sediment can be toxic to invertebrates that live on the lake bottom, as well. These invertebrates including zooplankton are an important source of fish food. Copper does temporarily accumulate in fish, but more in the gills and the liver than in muscle tissue. The copper in fish tissues are reduced once the copper level in the water is reduced.
Treating Algae Blooms with Copper Sulfate

Commonly used copper sulfate is toxic to most aquatic species. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), copper is toxic to fish through binding to the gill membranes. By damaging the membranes, copper interferes with osmoregulation processes. The study of five Minnesota lakes reported that, after 50 years of copper sulfate treatment, lakes were “almost completely devoid” of benthic macroinvertebrates.
https://atsinnovawatertreatment.com/blog/avoid-copper-sulfate-water-treatment/

Algae both filamentous and harmful planktonic forms are the most common, and annoying, problems faced by water treatment plants and wastewater treatment plants. It’s a problem that requires swift action to ensure that it does not affect production or harmful species that can release toxins that could change the properties of the water. To combat this problem, many believe that applying a copper sulfate solution to the infected water will reduce and cure algae blooms. While this method has been widely used and promulgated, it is an ineffective and dangerous solution to a safely treatable problem.

Here are ten reasons not to use copper sulfate as a solution to your algae bloom infestation.
https://www.lgsonic.com/chemical-dosing-contributes-to-hab-occurrence-research-finds/
10 Reasons
1. It doesn’t treat the causes of algae in your pond. When it is applied to an infected water location it can treat only the visible symptoms of algae. Instead of targeting the nutrients that cause the algae to grow in the first place, it only targets algae itself. For this reason, copper sulfate becomes ineffective—it kills the algae, which then sinks to the bottom of the pond where it decays and releases additional toxins which can create more blooms, essentially resulting in a larger problem than you started with.
2. It is or can be toxic to humans. When used to combat algae blooms in water, copper sulfate can create a hazard to humans. Since copper sulfate is easily absorbed through the skin, those that dispense it must be extremely cautious to avoid even minimal skin contact with it. If contact occurs, it can cause itching and permanent yellow discoloration of the skin. Additionally, if ingested (through inhalation of the powder or through drinking it) copper sulfate can cause immediate vomiting, and if retained in the stomach: unconsciousness, burning pain, nausea, diarrhea, headache, shock, and unconsciousness. These risks are documented by the EPA who have classified copper sulfate as a class 1-highly toxic chemical, which requires a poison warning displayed on all labels. Ultimately, copper sulfate is an unnecessary risk to those who dispense it. The potential damage to human health far outweighs the benefits of curing an algae bloom.
3. It is more likely to contribute to rebound blooms. It quickly sinks once applied to water, which causes it to accumulate as a heavy metal precipitate. This accumulation of copper sulfate and the decaying algae leads to the release of toxins and can result in the accumulated mass to resurface or “rebound” to levels similar, or higher, than the original bloom. It also accelerates the recycling of phosphorus which can promote algae blooms as well. Thus, using copper sulfate will create more work in the end.
4. It does not biodegrade. As stated above, copper sulfate accumulates as a heavy metal precipitate once it is applied to water. Because of this, it does not biodegrade. A buildup of copper sulfate can lead to a sterile water bottom, which can decrease and kill beneficial bacteria. It is not natural and cannot be removed without the assistance of other chemicals or treatments.
5. It is detrimental to plant and aquatic life. The accumulation of copper sulfate after application can create a sterile water bottom where important nutrients and bacteria that fish and other aquatic life need are killed off. Copper sulfate can weaken the aquatic food chain by killing off weaker fish who need the nutrients to survive, this leads to overpopulation of some species for short periods of time (until they die off because they are without a food source). It also creates over-oxygenated water which can also cause plants to die. Lastly, animals that drink from this water may be at increased risk of injury or death.
6. Its buildup is expensive to dispose of. Once a buildup of copper sulfate occurs, it may be considered hazardous waste. When disposal is required, this hazardous waste status can make it more expense to get rid of, due to requiring professional cleanup.
7. It can make water runoff or outflow hazardous. Copper sulfate is known to build up once used, and can cause runoff water to become potentially hazardous to those who encounter it. Water that has been contaminated with copper sulfate can be harmful to crops, animals, and people. For this reason, copper sulfate is an unnecessary danger.
8. City and state officials are concerned about the safety of copper sulfate use. Concerns about the effects of copper sulfate on human and animal health have considerably changed the views of state legislatures and cities about its use. Ultimately, states want a solution that will provide them with more positives than negatives, and it will not do that.
9. It is highly corrosive. Another issue with copper sulfate is that it is highly corrosive to steel, iron, and galvanized pipes. It cannot be stored in metal containers and must only come in contact with stainless steel, Monel, or plastic. Copper sulfate’s corrosive nature makes it incompatible with cost-effective methods for storage and thus becomes more of a nuisance to use than a benefit.
10. There are better solutions. See Below
Animal and Human Health hazards from extended or high copper exposure.
https://rais.ornl.gov/tox/profiles/copper.html


Results
General
Good FA Advice links
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=222061#Post222061
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=528573

Manual and Lengthy Discussion of Treatment Alternatives plus Homemade Algae Rake
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=528559&page=all

Build an algae Skimmer Rope
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=508045

TX new pond with FA discussion
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=262078

Algae as Chara Problem
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=267948#Post267948

Owner with FA needs tilapia
https://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=291915

Aquashade
http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=001307#000005 [/b]