Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Alien life from has invaded my pond

Jpsdad it is Brown in color like if you put some chocolate syrup in black coffee. Fishinrod thanks for putting the pics with my post. I didn't have any kids or grandchildren to do it for me.

Some Cyanobacterial algae will produce filaments or tricomes in gelatinous spheres and roundish shapes. Just one example is Nostoc. I do not think they are animal eggs.

Hey, you use the exact same IT department that I use!

Bill Cody thanks for the follow-up is it something that I should worry about

Bill looking up nostoc it doesn't look like that very much only saw one picture that was close. Is there a way to test it or something I could do to confirm what it is?

Does anyone think I should remove the weeds that this stuff is formed on

There are numerous versions or species of Nostoc and other similar algae that can develop gelatinous balls. Nostoc can have around 120 species. Other algae with gelatinous forming balls includes Rivularia and Nodularia, each with many species. There is even a green algae that forms balls. Best way to see what's inside the gelatinous ball is crush, smear one on a microscope slide and look at it with appropriate magnification. Removal of the weeds with the growth is one option. I would not try and use chemical treatment on it because the gelatinous coating will prevent chemical penetration.

I spent some time removing some of the weeds with with whatever it is that is forming on it. I am curious what would be the best way to treat it. If I keep an eye on it and jump on it as soon as I notice it is there a viable treatment for it

Do you have a good NRCS person in your area? I don't think you can get good "internet" advice, without a proper identification.

A local expert should be able to identify the offending growth. They should also be able to recommend the proper treatment.

I will have to check on that. But I seriously doubt it here in California they don't seem to be here to help you they just want to collect your tax dollars anyway they can

Yep. I have no idea how it works in California, but some of the available resources are from federal agencies.

In Kansas, I have had mixed success with the federal and state assistance agencies. I have had some good, knowledgeable people. I have had smart people, that never followed up on completing the requisite paperwork. I have had people that were the equivalent of a bump on a log that was collecting a paycheck.

I think it might be at least worth a few phone calls. (Hopefully?)

Yes I will give it a try

I got a hold of a biologist at nrcs he was very helpful and spoke to me for about an hour then sent me an email about what he thought it might be. He agrees with Bill Cody but he wasn't sure how to verify it and didn't know of a way to eliminate it. He gave me the names of a couple of books for graduate students that might deal with it. I guess I will try to get them and see exactly how much I didn't know

We did talk about doing some research and documentation on Do levels and water temperature and ph levels. I will post any information I find out and the information I gather. Does anyone have a suggestion on DO meters or ph meters. Pond is about 30' deep

Here is a link to a thread I previously saved on DO meters and chem tests.

DO Meters