Koi Forum (Nishikigoi - Japanese Koi Fish): KOI Talk: Pond Water Quality: Algea control

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Algea control

RichardD
Koi Lover

May 8, 2002, 9:19 PM

Post #1 of 24 (3331 views)
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Algea control	Can't Post

What's the best way to control algea. I have been looking at the uv lites. If this is good what the best place to put these, In line before or after the biofilter, or on a separate pump.

Mark
Koi Kichi

May 8, 2002, 11:04 PM

Post #2 of 24 (3320 views)
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Re: [RichardD] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

You may either put it at the outlet of the biofilter system or have it run separately with another pump.

chrisamos
Koi Lover

May 9, 2002, 12:33 AM

Post #3 of 24 (3314 views)
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Re: [Mark] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi

Maybe putting 1 or 2 sucker fish will help.

Beng

newgen
Koi Lover

May 9, 2002, 1:04 AM

Post #4 of 24 (3312 views)
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Re: [chrisamos] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Beng!

Sucker Fish won't helps alot incase that you don't know, Sucker fish only eat up algea, but they don't eat what they poof, and the poof will make your water parareters bad...and will cause continuesly algea growth, and maybe will become worst!

Richard! Why don't you built a TT or 2 to help to control algea growth? Or you can work out more on your filter system Cool

as it's not so good to keep a sucker fish in the pond Pirate

And becareful of the UV lights, may be dangerous to you and your kois, and when algea is killed by UV, they will become brown substances, make sure your bottom drain and filter system is good enough! Angelic

Hope you will make up your mind Richard!

Regards,

John

Lynne USA
Koi Lover

May 9, 2002, 7:05 AM

Post #5 of 24 (3303 views)
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Re: [newgen] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

Richard I agree with the TT idea and its allot cheaper. I have 2 UV's on my pond and they still didn't stop the a;gae growth. I think its been 3 weeks now since I installed my TT. My water was thick and green and looked like there was cow manure floating on top of the water. I am now a firm believer in TT's, if fact I just finished a second one today that I will install tomorrow. I now call it the Amazing TT. Cool

Lynne

Mark
Koi Kichi

May 9, 2002, 7:27 AM

Post #6 of 24 (3301 views)
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Re: [Lynne USA] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

I used to have 2 units of large filter box and "powerful" UVs running up the monthly electricity bills. Since added my TT, the water is not only crystal clear but the walls and bottoms of the pond has very minimum algae on them too. The most satisfaction arising out of the TT is I could appreciate my Hajiro and other blackies swimming around.

I have since disconnected the UVs (which cost S$2000) and my electricity bills is halved now.

KevKoi
Member

May 9, 2002, 8:26 AM

Post #7 of 24 (3298 views)
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Re: [chrisamos] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

Gee, that won't help if it's the pea soup kind of algae.... Oh and if our friend comes from a temperate climate, the sucker fish (Pleco) won't survive the cold of winter. Unsure

Oh and btw, u have NO CLUE how much Pleco's cost in Australia!!! AUD45 for a tiny little plec at 3inches (cost like RM1!)!! Anyone want to go into pleco (suckerfish) trading in Australia?? Laugh

Lynne USA
Koi Lover

May 9, 2002, 8:53 AM

Post #8 of 24 (3293 views)
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Re: [KevKoi] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

KevKoi, the TT is working great on mine, like I posted above my water was thick pea soup with what looked like cow manure floating on top of the water. I can now see the bottom 5 feet down. Here in CA our electricity rates have tripled, so the TT is a perfect solution to the UV. If you would like I could post a before and after photos.

TT's are so cheap to make, I think I spent all of $20 a piece to make.

chrisamos
Koi Lover

May 9, 2002, 8:57 AM

Post #9 of 24 (3293 views)
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Re: [KevKoi] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

OK Sorry abt the Sucker fish suggestion. I like algae a lot cos green algae will make my kois more shine and is also good to Hi. Wink

Btw the topic is control algea not get ride off algea.

(This post was edited by chrisamos on May 9, 2002, 9:56 AM)

RichardD
Koi Lover

May 9, 2002, 10:11 AM

Post #10 of 24 (3288 views)
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Re: [RichardD] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for your responses. Now i have another question, since I am new to ponds, How do you make a TT. I have only seen one pic that someone made from a giant pot. I would like some plans to make one and I will get started on it right away. To let you know right now I don't have an algea problem yet, but am looking for ways to prevent one. BTW I don't like sucker fishes. Sly

RichardD
Koi Lover

May 9, 2002, 10:15 AM

Post #11 of 24 (3287 views)
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Re: [chrisamos] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

I actually do not want algea. If I get some I do want to get rid of it, or at least get it down to a minimum

newgen
Koi Lover

May 9, 2002, 1:09 PM

Post #12 of 24 (3276 views)
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Re: [RichardD] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

The best way to prevent ang get rid of algea is, SET UP TT!!! Thats the best idea i do know! Cool

patrick123
Koi Kichi

May 9, 2002, 7:37 PM

Post #13 of 24 (3262 views)
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Re: [Lynne USA] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

Lynne,

Not that I don't believe in TT (I have a DIY TT myself), but I find it hard to believe that you have 2 UV lights and your water is still green. How many watts are your UV? How do you install them? The green water does not go away within a day or so after you turn on your UV. Depending on the size of your pond and the wattage of your UV, and the flow rate, etc. It can take up to 2-3 weeks to clear the water.... especially you have cow manure floating Wink

The best way to tell whether it is your UV light that clears the water or the TT is by measuring the nitrate level in the water. If you nitrate remain high 100mg/l or more and your water is crystal clear, it could mean that your UV is doing the job. By switching it off, you will have green water back in about a week.

For me, I use both TT and UV. My TT seems to take forever to mature. My nitrate reading is still around 120mg/l. So I'm using my UV for now to keep my family from making complaining while waiting for the TT to mature. Once my nitrate level is down to 20mg/l, I will switch the UV off. I think this is a win-win situation. Who wants to wait for 2-3 months with pea green water while waiting for their filter to mature?

Cheers,
Patrick

Lynne USA
Koi Lover

May 9, 2002, 8:18 PM

Post #14 of 24 (3257 views)
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Re: [Lynne USA] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Patrick,

I'm sure that the problem is that my UV's are too small. I have 2 40watts for 9000 gal pond, that is also way over stocked, 65 very large koi and I don't know how many smaller ones. The UV's are installed at the end of the system. I was having high nitrite levels so I built the TT, nitrite is now gone and so is the algae. It is much cheaper to run the TT off the existing system than to burn the UV's here in Calif with our high energy costs.

I'm happy and the fish are happy now living in good water. Everyone is reporting the same clear algae free water and good water quality.

Cool

Lynne

chrisamos
Koi Lover

May 9, 2002, 9:49 PM

Post #15 of 24 (3251 views)
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Re: [Lynne USA] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey why nobodys like algea??? Unsure

Algea are very good to kois. Unimpressed

Beng

newgen
Koi Lover

May 9, 2002, 10:13 PM

Post #16 of 24 (3250 views)
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Re: [chrisamos] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Beng!

Algea is good for kois! i agree! Kois eat algea too! BUT algea produce oxygen too?(read it from magazine, is this true?)

Anyway, sometimes, a little algea in the pond is not harmful, right? BUT, too much algea will be the problem of alomost everything, it will clog the filter system, clog the pumps, make the pond looks like a swamp... YUP! That's why! Crazy

Any advice, fellow seniors? Wink

(Please correct me if i'm wrong)

Regards,
John

KevKoi
Member

May 9, 2002, 11:17 PM

Post #17 of 24 (3247 views)
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Re: [chrisamos] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think we do like algae.... Smile

We like the algae that's stuck on to the walls and floor of the koi pond forming this nice lush green carpet. The type of algae that we DON'T LIKE is the unicellular type that turns the water so green u don't know how many fish you have in the pond or if there are any problems with the fish. (ie visibility underwater = 0 )

The whole point of this hobby is to SEE the koi right? So that's why the UV's and TT's come out. Wink

Unless of course you'd just want to send your kois for competition and net them out with superb HI once a year for the competition, we could do a little compromise with the clarity and HI quality don't you think?

chrisamos
Koi Lover

May 10, 2002, 1:15 AM

Post #18 of 24 (3235 views)
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Re: [KevKoi] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hello friends

the topic was algea control why become green water control. Pirate

Beng

Lynne USA
Koi Lover

May 10, 2002, 2:09 AM

Post #19 of 24 (3233 views)
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Re: [chrisamos] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

The algae is good in the day time but at night it use the oxygen that our koi need. And besides I didn't spend all this money on koi that I can't see Wink

I want to see my fish not nothing but green water. Wink

Lynne

TonyG
Koi Lover

May 10, 2002, 10:09 AM

Post #20 of 24 (3219 views)
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Re: [chrisamos] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Beng

Algae by the wall, green water are all the same, they are all algae. As mention by kevkoi, most ppl can tolerate when algae blooms by the wall of the pond but when it starts to turn the water green, than it is a different issue.

Tony

abcdef
New User

May 14, 2002, 3:03 PM

Post #21 of 24 (3167 views)
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Re: [RichardD] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

What's the best way to control algea. I have been looking at the uv lites. If this is good what the best place to put these, In line before or after the biofilter, or on a separate pump.

In Reply To

patrick123
Koi Kichi

May 15, 2002, 2:05 AM

Post #22 of 24 (3147 views)
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Re: [Lynne USA] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

Lynne,

2x40w of UV should be sufficient for your pond (I thnk). It also depending on the flow rate. Are you using the pass-through type of UV with a casing and with the water inflow/outflow or you just stick the UV light in the last chamber? The thing is that it takes several seconds of continuous close range contact in order for UV to kill the algae. If you just install a UV light on the top of the last chamber, it will not provide enough energy to kill the algae. This is why UV light with a long casing and a water inflow and outflow is more effective.

As for the nitrate reading, I'm talking about nitrate, not nitrite. Nitrate is the end product of nitrite in the nitrogen cycle. Nitrite does not help to promote algae growth but nitrate does. I have seen TT to be very effective in lowering nitrite as well, but this can also be accomplished by our bio-chamber. I guess the reason for building the TT for most of us is to get rid of nitrate, which is the food source for algae. Without nitrate, algae cannot grow and green water is gone.

I'm curious about what is your nitrate (again, not nitrite) reading. Do you know what is it right now?

Cheers,
Patrick

KevKoi
Member

May 15, 2002, 9:36 AM

Post #23 of 24 (3133 views)
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Re: [patrick123] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

eh Patrick, are u sure the exposed uv light above the last chamber not effective. I find mine to be extremely effective leh. Cleared up the pond in a week (and u know how much water in my pond) when it was new. Wink

I run 2 tubes 9W/hr each. That works out alot cheaper to run in the long run than your flow thru UV at 40W/hr x 2. Also buying the 9W/hr tubes cheaper than the flow thru tubes.... both of them need changing every year u know. Only advantage in the flow thru system is safety I gather.

Really expensive maintaining big koi ponds you know.... If the koi food won't drill holes thru your pocket, the electricity bill will...... so that's why must cut cost where possible. Wink

QBW1
Koi Lover

May 15, 2002, 11:02 AM

Post #24 of 24 (3123 views)
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Re: [KevKoi] Algea control [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi, KevKoi & Patrick,

I think there are pros and cons for both UV set-up. It is ready hard to say which way is better, the bottom line is it works. Crazy

For flow throught type, the contact distance is near and contact time is short (a few seconds, depends on flow rate).

For suspension at last chamber type, the contact distance is variable (UV intensity is higher near water surface and weaker as it goes deeper down). But the contact time is long (if your last chamber contains 5% of pond water and filter flow rate is 1 turn/hr, than the contact time is approximately 3 minutes).

Happy Kois Keeping ! Smile

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