Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations POND RAKES/NETS

I've got a very young pond. There is already a growing number of floating algae clumps floating on the surface. I'm considering buying a net or a rake to remove most of the algae.

The pond is unstocked currently and has no aeration. However, in the coming year I plan on stocking and aerating.

My question is, should I go with just your garden variety surface net, or go for the more expensive rake? I'm thinking that all I really need to get me up to the point of stocking and aerating is a cheap net.

Do any of you find that with an aeration system and the right kind of algae eating fish you still need the $100 rake?

We have used very effectivly a large pool skimmer for the floating filamentateous algae. My wife and I go out in the kayak and scoop it up. We have had aeration system now for a year and it has done a great job keeping the algae from taking over.

Along the shore line I use a large garden rake to scoop the floating algae. Don't just place it near the shore as it is great fertilizer and will cause more algae bloom as it decomposes. I put it in my compost pile for the garden and have never had so many or large tomatoes as this year.

Thanks for the help Tuzz. I really didn't think it was necessary to buy one of those high dollar rakes to do the kind of removal I'm going to be looking at. I appreciate the confirmation.

You know, I had a feeling that slimmy muck would do great things for a garden. I'll be sure to drop it all in the 'ol compost pile.

Common garden tools and swimming pool skimmer/nets work for removing weeds and filamentous algae. The speciality tools are more costly, but work better (efficiently) and you can get more done faster. It depends on preference.

I have a Lake Rake, Beechcomber Rake and an extendable handle smelt dipping net (F.algae, leaves & floating material) that I loan out to interested customers to take home, try out, and compare with their tools . After using and comparing, just about every one buys one or both of the items.

Early on I used the numerous homemade and garden/pool tools methods. They all worked with varying degrees of success. I finally broke down and bought my first lake rake and liked it so well I started selling them. Since then I used other speciality pond tools most were worth the money in time and effort they saved me over the years.

I have yet to make the big purchase of the underwater sickle bar mower ($2200) that is currently advertised in PBoss mag; Jenson Lake Mower, San Marcos TX. www.lakemower.com.

Does anyone have one of these or have you used one? I think it would be a good item to have if want to clear just certain areas of weeds and leave other weedy areas standing for habitat and competition to filamentous algae. If you remove some types of underwater weeds before they produce seeds and winter buds you can achieve pretty good control after several years of preventing reseeding and bud formation.