Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants How to get rid of FA before fertilizing

I have a small 1/4 acre fish pond in South louisiana. The soil composition is mostly clay, so this pond stays crystal clear. The first few years, i fertilized the pond to create an algae bloom. Now, i have filamentous algae that starts growing in early spring. I have been using pond dye and cutrine plus to control and kill it, but i cannot get an algae bloom after that and i think that my fish are suffering b/c of the lack of feed. What is your recommendation of getting an algae bloom without causing more FA growth?

If I remember the label correctly cutrine plus is actually MORE effective on planktonic algae than on filamentous algae.

Since your pond is small, I might focus on mechanical removal of FA as this method would be guaranteed to selectively remove it!

Tilpia?

I'm pretty sure it is illegal to raise tilapia in a regular fish pond in Louisiana.

So, you think i should fertilize the pond in order to get an algae bloom, then just manually remove the FA? Will the bloom block enough sunlight to inhibit the growth of more FA?

I manually removed the FA over the course of 2 weeks last year, but that was after i poisoned it with the cutrine plus.

I'm not qualified to answer that one but a real expert will be along soon.

Welcome to the forum
I think I would sneek some tilapia in and call it good, they do a great job on that stuff

870,
Welcome to Pond Boss...tons of good info and helpful folks here. Which Parish in So. Louisiana are you in? Post some pics of your pond when you have time.

It depends where the FA is. If it's in water less than 24" deep, Cutrine Plus Liquid should do a number on it if it's applied according to the label.

If it's FA in water that is deeper than 24", then use Cutrine Plus Granules according to the label.

If you don't kill the FA, it will explode if you add fertilizer.

If you can't use Tilapia, then maybe a combined chemical/mechanical removal plan is an option too.

FA grows because of excess nutrients. If you can get the FA knocked back enough, I'll bet you will see a bloom get established. One other thing. Have you checked the alkalinity and pH of the pond water? That could be limiting the bloom too.

VERY Illegal in LA!! About 5 years ago, LA rotenoned an entire bayou when a single tilapia was discovered in it...probably killed every fish EXCEPT tilapia!

Thanks Guys. I am in St Landry Parish and here are pics of my pond showing the clarity and what i am pretty sure is FA. I went to my pond for the first time in a while and see FA starting to show up.

esshup, i have successfully got rid of the FA in the past, but was never able to establish a bloom. If i apply Cutrine now, do you think i will be able to establish a bloom sometime this summer?

Or, i just will have to live with clear water?

That is FA. Typically a bloom is starting to establish 2-3 weeks after killing FA. If there is any FA growing, and you fertilize, it will just feed the FA.

Have you had the water tested for alkalinity, hardness and pH? If not, don't do anything until you do.

Why Pat W I am absolutely appalled that you suggest someone do something illegal. Shame, shame, shame!! Not too long ago Scott chewed poor John Monroe pretty harshly for John suggesting that someone use a weed killer in an illegal way. Ya better hope Scott doesn't get in a foul mood and unload on you. I'd get some ear plugs and very dark glasses just in case.

Well Bob,
Pat W. is a SE Texas fella...a good guy overall. You know, a getter done kinda guy, but at times I think he could border on a li'l suspect...

Nawww, trouble makers from Texas?

Bob,
.....not a trouble maker per se. Perhaps a "rule bender" would be more apropos.....Ha!

Well Bob
I remember that post ......
It wouldn't bother me to stock tilapia even if they were not legal.

Yeah I thought that was a little uncalled for also

Maybe Scott was having a bad day. LOL Thought it was over the top too.

But Bob......you still gotta respect a guy that'll go in the brush on his knees after a wounded hog with just a pistol...

That's why us sissy boy Yankees hire guides.
Once while bowhuntin I poked a Coyote. I got down and started trailin it. Was'nt very long before it had gone into an extremely thick bunch of thorn trees. Only way in was crawling. I'd gone about fifteen ft before analyzing the situation. I backed out, drove home and got my sawed off dbl barrel. Felt much better the second time in.

Bob
Finish the story.... Did u find the yote?

Like ta keep ya on the edge of yer chair. Was the yote dead upon arrival or is that what happened to Bobs looks?

Maybe that's y the yote came around..... Him thunk u were dead.....

I hope you get this thread back on track and follow up on it. I am having the same problem. Where is the best place to get your water tested?

Won't crawfish and ghost shrimp also eat FA?

I take water to my fishery folks that I get my fish from and they test it.

I called someone about testing my water, but have to call back monday. I will do this and let you guys know what happens.

In the mean time, i will remove teh FA balls that i see