Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Algae Bloom???

At least that is what I think I have?

The water in our pond has always been pristine and very, very clear. This past month, it is slowly turning a green colour. I went in snorkelling tonight and was amazed at how the clarity has diminished! I can still see bottom in about 10 feet of water, but it is murky now and I have to strain to see it. It was like a swimming pool until July rolled around. Is this something I should be concerned with?

Of course it is very hot out with temperatures around 90 degrees most days. The fish all seem to like it and I am seeing amazing growth in the SMB fry!

I realize that this crystal clear water is also somewhat sterile and was not good for the fish population, but it was a lot nicer to look at and swim in before.

Will it go back to clear? Will the algae die off naturally as the season progresses? Oxygen levels, PH, and all seem good. Typical readings are 75 to 79 deg.F on surface and cooler near bottom, 8.3 to 9.5 D.O., 8.5 PH

Note, there is very little to any FA seen anywhere.

Thanks

Yep it's an algae bloom. Nothing to worry about unless your clarity drops below 12 inches which I doubt it will since you're not fertilizing your pond.

The SMB fry are donig so well because it's feeding zooplankton. I've noticed the hot weather has intensified my existing algae blooms. If your bloom doesn't cut back when temps moderate it most definitely will this fall.

Most likely the phytoplankton (algae bloom) is taking up your nutrients and keeping any filamentous algae from getting started.

So what if your clarity is less than 12 inches like mine is in all my ponds?

Two of them are very Turbid.

Thanks

Is your turbidity due to an algae bloom or the cattle stirring up the water?

The clarity under 12 inches I was referring to only pertains if it's entirely an algae bloom. If it's an algae bloom you run the risk of pre-dawn oxygen depletion, or an overall algae bloom crash with the same effect.

if it's just muddy water or a combination of both it's not necessarily anything to worry about.

I am sure the cattle are causing the problem.

Thanks guys.
Will the algae bloom just die off? Hopefully this happens slowly I guess and does not cause a major depletion of oxygen?

I seriously doubt you will have a problem at your latitude especially if you don't fertilize. As long as you don't end up with pea soup with less than 12 inches of clarity I wouldn't worry. I doubt you've got that kind of fertility by what little I can tell about your pond.

I hope you are right Cecil! August is almost here.....and that means winter ain't too far behind. LOL
I can already see the mist rising off the water every evening and morning. It is getting much cooler at night now.:(

My water started turning green as soon as the warm started warming this spring in my new pond. The visibility has been diminishing as the algae was growing. All good and well I figured. On Saturday there was nothing on top of the water and then Sunday morning, there was green algae floating on top and covered about maybe 1/8th of the surface. Is this stuff on top also part of the algae bloom? I have not fertilized.

Thanks

John, that stuff that is floating is more 'n likely FA. Is it fine like hair (even clumped up hair)?

Hey Scott,
There is some FA but maybe only a few square yards... Whatever the green stuff on top was covered a LARGE area. Strange part is by this morning, most of it was gone..... Because of the rain and the soft bank, I could not get to it to determine what it was composed of.

I guess my question is the following: Is Algae bloom just IN the water or is it also ON the water. Or a combination???

John,
I'm starting to see a small clump of green "goo" which I believe is FA floating on the surface near where the cold water enters the pond. My understanding is that FA favours colder water than regular algae?
I sure wish things would clear up....but am I expecting too much? Maybe we need to go through a winter first?

John:

Conditions for a favorable photoplankton bloom will also favor a FA bloom. It's a fine line we walk at times! There's FA that favors cool water, warm water and water that's in between.

Are they easily told apart? Bill Cody had to look at mine under a microscope to tell what type I had.

Went down to the pond this morning to feed the fish and the water is getting greener and there is still green film like stuff floating on part of the pond. Maybe 1/8th of it. There is some FA but not much.... I did print and read that article that Bob Lusk wrote on the home page of PondBoss.com about the temperatures and corresponding changes in algae. That was VERY interesting........Also added to my confusion... There is a LOT to being a pond meister! ! ! ! I have a lot to learn and am soooo thankful for this site.

I think all of you guys are worrying to much. Lethal algae blooms are very rate in the north unless you are fertiling the pond or excess nutrients are coming in.

One thing to keep in mind is you can get a green skim of phytoplankton on the surface and it can make your algae bloom look more intense. Move the skim out of the way and your clarity will turn out to be much better.

To answer your question John, the clarity regards phytoplankton (algae bloom) in the water not on it. There can be some skim of phytoplankton on the surface but typically it is in the water column.