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Home: KOI Talk: Pond Water Quality:
Green algae in plants

 





 


rbl7
Koi Lover

Jun 19, 2006, 5:41 AM

Post #1 of 9 (1249 views)
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Green algae in plants Can't Post
Hi

I have a small pond with about 15 small gold fish, and six 5 inch kois. I have added about 10 water plants to give oxygen and just for giving the pond a natural look.

The problem is that green algae is taking over the plants. The water is fairly clear and I have no algae problems elsewhere (my filter takes care of that), but the algae grows extremely well in the plants, and it seems like the plant are dying under the enormous growth of the algae.

Sometimes I try to pick out the algae from the plants, but they are all mixed together so I can't do it without damaging the plants.

Any good ideas ?

I would prefer not to use any chemicals.

Thanks


utsuri
Koi Lover

Jun 19, 2006, 8:12 AM

Post #2 of 9 (1241 views)
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Re: [rbl7] Green algae in plants [In reply to] Can't Post
YOur are right about the chemicals. Do not use any they will kill the plants as well as the algae. It sounds like you have added submersed plants. Controlling filament algae in ponds in extremely dificult beacuse of all of the nutrients available and sunlight. For that reason the only pond plants I will use are types like lillies and lotus. Bog plants are also good. Types like pickrel and catails. On all of thes types of plants the folliage is above water and will not be affected by filament algae.

Hope this helps you

Utsuri


rbl7
Koi Lover

Jun 19, 2006, 6:13 PM

Post #3 of 9 (1212 views)
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Re: [utsuri] Green algae in plants [In reply to] Can't Post
Yes, it is submersed plants.

So there is no good sollution for this problem other than getting rid of the plants ? Unsure

Hmm, then I guess I just have to live with the algae then...


zoul
Member

Jun 19, 2006, 11:07 PM

Post #4 of 9 (1202 views)
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Re: [rbl7] Green algae in plants [In reply to] Can't Post
Dear rbl7

you have 21 fish in a pond you say is small. Just how small are we talking?

Shallow ponds tend to go green very quickly, this is becouse the water warms up considerabley faster than deep ponds.

What kind of filteration are you running? Would it be possible to make yourself a vegtable filter?

Failling that if you don't have room for a veg filter you could try barley straw it dose take a while to kick in but it's very natural way of controling beard algea if of couse you know the volume of water in your pond.

Heres the thingy on veg filters.

Vegetable Filters

Biological filters convert the most toxic elements of decay and fish waste into less harmful compounds.

Two of these, "Nitrates" and "Phosphates" can build up in the water and create problems such as water discolouration, algal growth and greater susceptibility of fish to disease. Chemical filtration can be used to reduce or remove these compounds but this can be expensive, especially in the larger pond. Regular partial (Not more than 10% of total volume) water changes also help. An alternative is construction of a vegetable filter.

These are usually constructed adjacent to the pond and consist of a lined area around 10 inches to 15 inches deep (25 to 38 cm.) filled with gravel. The area of the filter should be as large as possible. Plant out with quick growing, heavy Nitrate feeding plants such as Crassula, Nasturtium Aquaticum and Eleocharis. Water from the biological filter can be fed through the vegetable filter prior to returning to pond or alternatively pump fed directly from the pond.

A great bonus is creation of a bog environment which will enhance the landscaping of the immediate pond area and attract a host of wildlife.


utsuri
Koi Lover

Jun 19, 2006, 11:38 PM

Post #5 of 9 (1200 views)
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Re: [rbl7] Green algae in plants [In reply to] Can't Post
There are solutions for the problem. However they are very complex and would require many restrictions. As mentioned in this thread a bog filter is good idea to help to complete the filtration process. Also you would need to greatly reduce your numbers of fish.
The water source you are using would need to be filtered through reverse osmosis or deionizer before being used. This will remove most of the fertilizing agents that are present. With all of that bieng said. Lets look at the final problem.

Koi are vegetarian fish. This means they will constanly pick at foliage causing damage. This will weaken the plants considerably and cause them not to flurish. As for oxygen that is best attained by airstone, venturi, waterfall or surface agitation. Plants do provide oxygen but only during daylight hours. At night they produce carbon dioxide. Which can be very harmful with warm water temps. This will lead to greatly varying Ph levels as well.

Using plants to finish the filtration process is a good idea. The biofilter is only going to get you so far. Then you need to remove the byproducts of that. Nitrogen and Phosphorous. Water changes will do this as well. But if you want to make a more natural environment, go with a bog filter. I use one of these as well as a large biofilter and still have phosphorous and nitrogen present. Simply because my pond has several very large koi in it. Those guys put off a huge amount of waste. I must say that water is clear like a pool.
I have never tried the barley trick. Never needed to. Not in my first 15 years of koi keeping anyway.


rbl7
Koi Lover

Jun 20, 2006, 2:42 AM

Post #6 of 9 (1192 views)
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Re: [utsuri] Green algae in plants [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi, Thanks for all the suggestions.

Well, the pond is small compared to the big koi ponds that I have seen around on the net. There is about 1800 US Gallons (Approx 7000 litres) of water total.

The main pond is about 11 feet long, 8 feet wide and about 3.3 feet deep at the deepest place. I am quite sure that there is enough space for the fishes. Most of them are less than 4 inches. The biggest ones are the 6 koi (5-6 inches). They can all hide in the plants.

Here is how the design is:
1 pond with 1600 gallons where all the fish are. A Hozelock Titan 5500 pump pumps the water about 2 feet up to a Hozelock Bioforce 9000 UV and from there into a smaller pond with only 200 gallons (no fish there). The water is then lead back down to the main pond by a waterfall with a 2 feet drop (of course :-)). The pump is placed in the opposite end than the waterfall to ensure circulation. Additionally I have an airpump with 2 airstones to add oxygen to the water. Btw the algae problem is far worse where I have put the 2 airstones.

I have plenty of space to expand with filters (if my girlfriend allows it). Do you have any links to a guide on how to build these filters you suggested ?

Thanks
Rasmus / Denmark


utsuri
Koi Lover

Jun 20, 2006, 3:34 AM

Post #7 of 9 (1187 views)
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Re: [rbl7] Green algae in plants [In reply to] Can't Post
You should have no problem with oxygen. There are lots of way to build a bog filter. Mine is 18 inches deep and 4ft*4ft. I lined it with 45mil liner. I created a chamber under the gravel so the water is forcedto go down through the gravel and comes out of it from under the gravel. I did this with plastic eggcrate,2 inch PVC and plastic mesh.

There are 4 straight lengths of 2 inch PVC. Each has several 1 inch holes drilled along the length to allow water to flow through them. Directly on top of this is the eggcrate and then plastic mesh. This creates the chamber underneath the gravel. I left an area open about a foot wide at the return end off the bog. In this I put 3/4 marine grade plywood. This forms a wall to attach bulkhead fittings so the water can exit the filter and be directed.to my bio filter. Then fill with pea sized gravel. Gravel should be slightly above the water level. I planted my bog plants directly into the gravel without any pots.

Basically you are building a hefty under gravel filter with plants in it. I planted cattails, pickrel and parrots feather.


rbl7
Koi Lover

Jun 20, 2006, 3:53 AM

Post #8 of 9 (1182 views)
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Re: [utsuri] Green algae in plants [In reply to] Can't Post
Hmm, although I am fairly good at english (I'm from Denmark in Europe), I don't completely understand the concept you describe.

Do you know anywhere I can find pictures and further explanation of this ? I am sure I will understand it, if I see how it looks :-)

Thanks
Rasmus / Denmark


utsuri
Koi Lover

Jun 20, 2006, 4:05 AM

Post #9 of 9 (1180 views)
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Re: [rbl7] Green algae in plants [In reply to] Can't Post
Sorry no pics of the contruction. Here is a rough diagram of what I have done. This is a side view. This is pretty crude but should help.


(This post was edited by utsuri on Jun 20, 2006, 4:13 AM)
Attachments: bog filter box.JPG (20.1 KB)

 
 
 



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