DocRodConrad
Koi Lover
Jul 3, 2004, 8:16 PM
Post #10 of 12
(2675 views)
Shortcut
|
Using a copper bar in a koi pond to control algae is an accident waiting to happen. Yes, the copper will leach out and control algae to improve water clarity. No, the koi will not die right away. But if the following conditions occur, then the entire pond will die suddenly from the algae bar:
Event 1: Ponder adds algae bar to pond.
Event 2: Ponder is very pleased to see water clear from use of algae bar.
Event 3: The ponder does not maintain the water quality adequately, and the pH becomes slightly acidic.
Event 4: At slightly acid pH values, more copper dissolves, since the solubility of copper is much higher at lower pH values.
Event 5: The copper in solution is much more toxic at lower pH values, as well as there being more copper dissolved at the lower pH values.
Event 6: At the higher levels of copper from the low pH, and the higher toxicity of copper at low pH values, and not much water exchange, all the koi die.
Event 7: The seller of the algae bar will come back to this thread with all the testimonials of how well it works for some ponds, and the answer back to him is, yes, if the pH is kept dependably above 7.5, the algae bar probably won't ever be toxic to the koi. But not all of us are such good koi keepers to keep the alkalinity and pH so well controlled in the upper end of the preferred range.
By the way, the koi are most likely to die from the algae bar in the middle of the night when pH and alkalinity are always at their lowest values.
Roddy Conrad, Charleston, WV, USA
|
MAIN
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
Re: [philliu] algae bar
[
