How Much Pond Algae Growth Is Normal?
Every pond owner in the world has experienced some sort of pond algae growth at some point.
It's essentially inevitable.
Why? Because it's natural.
If you want a pond that's algae-free from Day 1 through Day 1000, then you're basically telling nature to stand on its head.
It's not going to happen - so you should probably give up on that dream now before you drive yourself into an insane algae stupor.
If algae is indeed natural and unavoidable, how do you know when you have a problem? Obviously there must be a point when the amount of algae is no longer natural.
When does it cross the line from normal and acceptable to becoming a detriment and danger to your pond ecosystem? That question is exactly what we look to explore...
Understanding Algae Growth Pond algae grows as a result of excess nutrients that build up in your water.
These nutrients are mostly unavoidable since they come from so many sources - fertilizers, grass clippings, fallen leaves, animal excrement, street and home runoff, etc.
Don't stress too much about trying to keep it all out, because it's basically impossible.
When these nutrients build up at a rate faster than natural, decomposing bacteria can break them down, they result in algae or other aquatic overgrowth.
This is a natural process, and means that your pond's ecosystem is functioning.
About 10% algae coverage is normal and healthy.
This generally occurs around the outside of the pond, near the shore where the water is shallower.
If this is the type of pond algae that you see on your pond, you shouldn't be worried.
Your pond is healthy! Controlling Algae Growth When is your algae growth becoming a serious pond problem? When your algae coverage is much greater than 10%, OR you're experiencing growth in the deepest parts of the pond.
Algae should not grow in the middle of your pond.
What to do when your algae growth is getting out of control? You don't want to let your pond become overgrown with algae for too long.
This can "choke" your pond by not allowing sunlight to penetrate to the lower layers and generate photosynthesis (and thus oxygen) via pond vegetation.
The best solution I can offer for a pond in this predicament is to add oxygen and mixing to the water.
And the best way to do this is with a pond aeration system.
Oxygen will give natural, decomposing pond bacteria the fuel it needs to break down algae-forming nutrients.
Without enough oxygen, the pond bacteria is incapable of breaking down the nutrients as quickly as is necessary for a sustainable pond environment to endure.
However, when the bacteria is efficiently and effectively breaking down these nutrients, pond algae will decrease significantly.
And you can go back to enjoying your pond! Learn more about how to keep your pond healthy with our POND MANAGEMENT GUIDEBOOK
It's essentially inevitable.
Why? Because it's natural.
If you want a pond that's algae-free from Day 1 through Day 1000, then you're basically telling nature to stand on its head.
It's not going to happen - so you should probably give up on that dream now before you drive yourself into an insane algae stupor.
If algae is indeed natural and unavoidable, how do you know when you have a problem? Obviously there must be a point when the amount of algae is no longer natural.
When does it cross the line from normal and acceptable to becoming a detriment and danger to your pond ecosystem? That question is exactly what we look to explore...
Understanding Algae Growth Pond algae grows as a result of excess nutrients that build up in your water.
These nutrients are mostly unavoidable since they come from so many sources - fertilizers, grass clippings, fallen leaves, animal excrement, street and home runoff, etc.
Don't stress too much about trying to keep it all out, because it's basically impossible.
When these nutrients build up at a rate faster than natural, decomposing bacteria can break them down, they result in algae or other aquatic overgrowth.
This is a natural process, and means that your pond's ecosystem is functioning.
About 10% algae coverage is normal and healthy.
This generally occurs around the outside of the pond, near the shore where the water is shallower.
If this is the type of pond algae that you see on your pond, you shouldn't be worried.
Your pond is healthy! Controlling Algae Growth When is your algae growth becoming a serious pond problem? When your algae coverage is much greater than 10%, OR you're experiencing growth in the deepest parts of the pond.
Algae should not grow in the middle of your pond.
What to do when your algae growth is getting out of control? You don't want to let your pond become overgrown with algae for too long.
This can "choke" your pond by not allowing sunlight to penetrate to the lower layers and generate photosynthesis (and thus oxygen) via pond vegetation.
The best solution I can offer for a pond in this predicament is to add oxygen and mixing to the water.
And the best way to do this is with a pond aeration system.
Oxygen will give natural, decomposing pond bacteria the fuel it needs to break down algae-forming nutrients.
Without enough oxygen, the pond bacteria is incapable of breaking down the nutrients as quickly as is necessary for a sustainable pond environment to endure.
However, when the bacteria is efficiently and effectively breaking down these nutrients, pond algae will decrease significantly.
And you can go back to enjoying your pond! Learn more about how to keep your pond healthy with our POND MANAGEMENT GUIDEBOOK
Source...