Koi Forum (Nishikigoi - Japanese Koi Fish): KOI Talk: Pond Water Quality: Algae bloom

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Algae bloom

moorejuls
Koi Lover

May 19, 2007, 5:29 AM

Post #1 of 7 (2442 views)
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Algae bloom	Can't Post

Okay, so this is my second time coming to the board with my pond problems.

First my PH was crazy, but I think the leaching has finished.

I had the pond stable with all ph, nitrites, nitrates etc in good shape. I added two 26 cent goldfish and they were happy too. Which are named 9 and 10 since 1-8 trial fish died.

I went out of town for 10 day, with friends stopping by to give 9 and 10 a little food every day. On my return I came home to a brown algae goo pond with lots of foam. After two hours fishing out 9 and 10 I gave the pond a muraitic acid bath and let the pond run for a day. The ph was high, so I thought I could kill all the algae and get any last leaching over with.

So after cleaning, cleaning, emptying, cleaning, emptying. I went and added a proflo external filter and a terta pond uv clarifier. I let the pond run for a few days and all is great. I add back the plants. Then add back 9 and 10. Now I am 5 days back with the fish and the algae is blooming again. Both on the waterfall rocks and in the pond. Frown

My ph is is about 7.2, alkalinity is about 60, total hardness is 150, nitrates are 0 but nitrites are .5 closer to 1.0. I have not fed the fish today and added a little pond salt to take the stress of them. I don't know why my nitrites is rising or the bloom.

What am I doing wrong now?

Hopefully the photos will attach.

koiguyoz
Member

May 19, 2007, 2:51 PM

Post #2 of 7 (2426 views)
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Re: [moorejuls] Algae bloom [In reply to]	Can't Post

You have a new pond syndrome.

You see, ponds which are clear and do not run a UV light often have two things going for them:

1. a large filter capable of housing enough biomedia to raise enough nitrifying bacteria to convert wastes from the pond water; and (this sounds to be enough with your current fish load)

2. Time to allow the nitrifying bacteria to grow (anywhere from 3-12 weeks).

Washing and cleaning everything will remove all trace of nitrifying bacteria that begins to develop. Your pond will restart when you do the clean and will bloom until a biological balance is made between your pond water and biofilter.

moorejuls
Koi Lover

May 20, 2007, 9:20 PM

Post #3 of 7 (2408 views)
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Re: [koiguyoz] Algae bloom [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have to learn to be patient.

If I were to add two small koi how long should I wait to do so?

koiguyoz
Member

May 22, 2007, 2:30 PM

Post #4 of 7 (2348 views)
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Re: [moorejuls] Algae bloom [In reply to]	Can't Post

Define small?

I would recommend the new koi's addition after your green water clears up.

moorejuls
Koi Lover

May 24, 2007, 8:51 PM

Post #5 of 7 (2321 views)
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Re: [koiguyoz] Algae bloom [In reply to]	Can't Post

4 to 5 inch

Now I am having a ph issue depending on time of day. It is fine in the morning, but spikes towards the end of the day. Nitrites, nitrates and all else is wonderful now. Waterfall and all rocks in the pond are algae covered and the actual water is clear. The only thing that is left is a collection of foam that seems to have algae in it at the surface. Which I can scoop out with fish net.

Any suggestion to ph or foam would be great. Crazy

koiguyoz
Member

May 24, 2007, 11:14 PM

Post #6 of 7 (2320 views)
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Re: [moorejuls] Algae bloom [In reply to]	Can't Post

For the foam, read up on DOCs (dissolved organic compounds). These are foamed depending on the waste load in your pond and often occurs early in the life of the pond and disappear once the biofilter biomedia mature.

As for the PH, although it is normal for a pond to experience some PH fluctuation, from what it sounds, yours is going to extremes. On this note, how wide is the PH fluctuating?

For example, 6.0 to 9.0.

moorejuls
Koi Lover

May 25, 2007, 12:32 AM

Post #7 of 7 (2316 views)
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Re: [koiguyoz] Algae bloom [In reply to]	Can't Post

As for the foam, you are correct. I read a little more on it and have noticed that the surface is clearing nicely. So my bio filter is starting cycle nicely.

For the ph.....I use strips so I don't have great reading, but it is between the 7.6 and 8.0 in the morning and by midday it is reading 8.4+. My little goldfish are doing great though. The plants look great. Even the algae is starting to look good.

The pond was built with liner that has been covered in rocks and held together by cement. If it still leaching why did it take so long to show up this time? Can the algae coating on everything help or do I need to empty it and do another acid wash... Unsure

...not something I want to do. I feel like I am so close at getting it right.

I have tried to upload a photo with no luck. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

PS. Where do I get a better water testing kit???? I live in Dallas and all I have is petsmart for product. Crazy

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