Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Non-Petro Discussions Non-petro Discussion and Showcase Anyone Have A Pond?

I have a small pond on my property which has a good water supply and is also spring fed. I have lived here for 20 years and I havent had a problem with weeds or algae. Water is cold, (was) crystal clear and supports a healthy trout population.
This year I am having a problem with algae. I believe it is because the inlet got plugged during hurricane Irene so I didnt have fresh water coming into the pond until I could fix it in the spring.
I am wondering if anyone here has used any natural products for algae control. I have read I should not use copper sulfate because I have trout. Someone told me to use Barley bales or cakes.
Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
J

We here in WA State, have been using sterile Grass Carp to try and clean up small lakes.

Since they can't breed, they can't overpopulate a lake and/or pond....

State game and fish commission guys will test ponds here,help you with info as what needs to be done,stock new ponds, this is all a service free of charge. Maybe in your stste they do the same.

Whether your State Fish and Game department or though the Coopertive Extension Service in your county, you need to figure out what other causes might be.

Is there a nitrogen source that wasn't there before (like someone fertilizing nearby) or maybe as you said, without that influx on fresh water, nitrogen from the trout built up.

It's also possible that there was no algae in the pond, but it was recently introduced (ie on duck feet) and you may just have to manage it.

They should be able to confirm or help you find the source.

I grew up on a Tobacco farm in Maryland. We had several spring fed ponds that in the heat of summer would delevope algee. We used Bluestone Algecide from the local farm store. At the time, we placed it in a burlap sack, and while walking around the pond, dipped it into the water to desolve and release all the algee fighters. Hope this is of use? Paul www.severngaspumps.com

Thanks for the suggestions guys, and Nicole.

Grass carp are good for weed problems but they do not eat algae. The lack of fresh water and lower oxygen levels would increase algae growth.

Metro69, grass carp do eat algae...

http://nisquallytrout.com/ntfwebsite_005.htm

I guess I got some bad info from some local "experts"

I've got a half acre pond and have tried various things to keep the algae under control. Here's some things I've learned:

Triploid white amur's are a much better choice for algae than grass carp. Most pond owners around here dislike carp in their ponds.

You can use copper sulfate as long as you don't go crazy with it. I get it in powder form and mix it in a pull behind sprayer and spray it on the surface. You can get it in rock form, put it in a pillow case and pull it through your pond. I use it a couple times a year and never lose any fish.

In my experience...don't waste your time, effort, and money trying barley bales. They have never worked for me and most of my friends claim the same result.

Aeration is pretty important. I've got a real nice unit that kicks on 3 times a day.

Aquashade or equivalent is important as well. Keeping the water tinted so the sun doesn't penetrate into the water column helps keep growth under control.

And...I'll throw some Cutrine in once in a while between copper sulfate treatments if needed.

Here's a pic of the shallow end of the pond..just got the platform put out for swimming.

Now that's a swimmin pond!

Beautiful pond there Ohio Oil. I am harvesting by hand now and may try some copper sulfate. Grass carp are illegal in VT, so that isnt an option. I have tinted the pond, so maybe that will help a little. I checked out the farm "upstream" of my place and I dont see any changes. Just a hay field as it has always been, so dont think fertilizer use is the cause.
Thanks again everyone