Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Extensive FA growth

In the last few weeks my 5 acre TBP has a healthy growth of FA in water less than about 4 feet. I am not entirely worried about it, because next year the tilapia will take care of it (right?). But for now the minnows like to use it for cover and the bass were 2 ince about 3 weeks ago so I assume they will be small enough to get in there and hunt down the minnows until the FA fades in the fall.

Should I try to take any action against it? I would say 30-40% of the surface is covered in FA and about 60% of the bottom has some amount of growth. As long as it will not hinder the growth of bass or reproduction of other fish (which I have no evidence of because small fish are everywhere) I can live with it until next year.

Any Advice? thanks

I am working on a pond that has considerable FA. The land owner would like it removed but I have no clue in how to remove it. He wasnts me to wade through the pond but there is entirely to much to remove. What is a good way to do this? Any advice?!?

Did you ever get any answer to your question JakeB?

Hi Zridd and welcome to Pond Boss. FA can be chemically treated to stop it's growth or, if they are legal in your state, Tilapia can be stocked that will (1) IIRC, eat the FA and (2) provide a forage source.

Hang on and one of the resident experts will give you a quality answer (as opposed to the dribble that I've just posted).

Make sure it is filamentous algae. This time of year, when water temps are in the 80's or higher, filamentous algae doesn't normally grow, unless it is one of the problem species, like lyngbia.
Can you post a photo of the plant so we can see it?

I have about the same problem as Jakeb. I raked a few weeks ago in certain spots, but it has come back. My minnows love it, but is this something I should worry about? I will try to post pictures in a bit.

Here are the pictures. Is this lyngbia?

mine looks close to that but much more green and more strand like. Like a ball of threads.

Mine was greener until the latest warm trend. It has started to brown the last couple of days.

Bump for an expert

Lyngbya have a protective "mucilage" that make it difficult to control with chemistry, It can appear gray,brown,geenish blue in different settings around the country, The pics in question look like "lyngbya" It has adapted seemingly in the last few years into warm to hot water conditions. Just as spirogyra now thrives in cold water that it "seemingly" did not in the past, they all adapt. I would not be concerned for what you mention as your desire for your pond. If you do treat forget copper and use either heavy rates of diquat with lots of surfactant or a diquat/ hydrothol 191 combination. Many labels state control with chelated coppers and I have not seen them work yet. Another key is to break up the mats if going to treat so more of the surface and edges can be treated again (lots of surfactant to wet the mucilage protection barrier it has.)PS They do seem to kick out some good oxygen levels during the day and provide great shade.

do grass carp or tilapia eat lyngbya? if it was the dominant weed in the pond?

amurs do not prefer it and here in the north wont touch it, talipia would be a better bet would be my guess but Greg or Todd O. or Bob can address talipia better than I can.

How would Greenclean work on it?

Also, will this be a reoccurring, or can I treat it and get rid of it?

Final thing, what can I do to confirm what it is?

It takes a "lot" of GreenClean granular to touch it. You probably have it under the floating mats so a dual application would be needed.When you start treating acre feet it isnt practical a lot of times. GC will burn out (oxidize) any plant tissue it comes in contact with. Coverage on submersed targets is the problem.If the conditions that allowed it this season occur next year it will be back. It thrives from the salt water of Tampa Bay to the frigid waters of Lake Erie.Google "lyngbya" and read all about it

From reading some of the sites, I don't think that it is lyngbya. It does not smell at all, and I have handled lots with no problems. I borrowed a bit of GC from a friend and will try it on a small patch. If it works, would this be another sign that it is just FA?

Sorry Jake if I took over the thread. I hope this is helpful to you too.

No it is keep updating.. I hope to get a pic of mine up sometime

I threw some GreenClean on some of the algae today and it quickly turned dark brown and white. It seems to have an affect on it. I will check again in the morning to get a better feel for it. Does this result confirm that I have just regular FA and not lyngbya?

With all of the chemicals, aren't you just adding to the organic muck base on the pond bottom? As the sludge decomposes, the nutrients are re-released and then more chemicals, more expensive chemicals, more frequent treatrments, etc...

Also, what about your aerobic bacteria. The chemicals kil that as well and then you may have to add more aerobic bacteria IF you have any DO2 at the bottom.

I think better to remove as much of the algae as possible which also reduces the nutrients in the pond and work to change the pond from algae based to rooted plant based to take up the nutrients. Many ways to harvest the algae now.

Howdy, waldojess, and welcome to the Forum.

For general information. Lyngbya is a bluegreen (Cyanobacteria) and can produce offensive odors, flavors and sometimes toxins depending on the species. I would be very, very suprised if any fish or critter would eat it - its too offensive.

Well how nice:
Finally an algae that I haven't had yet on my lake. Welcome Waldogess I like the way you think. If I was on a small pond I would try and remove it manually if I could. Although I do agree with the notion of "Better living through chemistry" as well.

Tilapia will consume bluegreen algaes.

I would love to do tilapia, but they are not allowed in Michigan. The algae is now all gone for the year (i hope). now I just have to battle the cattails.