Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Identifying plants Is this Chara?

Yep. Algae will grow first and fastest. If it was my pond, I'd try to limit any nutrients going into the pond, either by runoff or by critters, both with and without legs. I know you don't want plants, but if you can put some plants that don't spread, or that spread slowly and are easily treatable if they get out of hand, they would help utilize the nutrients that are in there, probably keeping the nutrients from being utilized by algae.

It's a void that nature wants to fill. You can continue to fight it, or direct it into some form that you can live with. Unfortunately, ponds are not the same as swimming pools, and can't be managed like a pool.

John Monroe has ponds that have very clear water, but he's also got a lot of plants in them.