Comments on: The Pond and More Wildflowers

By: Vince

Vince — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 15:09:18 +0000

I have a Koi pond in my back yard in Miami, Florida, which is approximately 3 feet deep by 16 feet by 17 feet. It is made from a flexible pond liner and is covered all over with Honeycut large rocks. I have two water falls; one is powered by a 5,600 gph pump as well as a 3,600 ghp pump, both are submerged about 1 to 1/2 feet from the bottom. the other waterfall is powered by a 2,800 gph pump located inside a skimmer and connected to the water fall receptacle where I have lava rocks for good bacteria to grow. I cleaned the pond last week since the water was looked murky, had a lot of dead bamboo leaves in the bottom and had algae growth. Even though the water looked murkey, it was clear, but had minute particles in it. I cleaned out the bottom and replaced the fish and put new water, adding beneficial bacteria daily. Yesterday the pond started developing algae and again the water seems a little murky. The rocks lining the sides are starting to get a green color to them and the water, although looks crystal clear when it drops from both waterfalls, does not seen clear when you look down on the pond and the bottom is now difficult to see.
Would you know what I am doing incorrectly and what should I do to correct this problem in order to be able to see the bottom and enjoy our fish? Please help. Many thanks, Vince

By: Beau

Beau — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 01:59:23 +0000

Hi Vince- Wow… that’s a tough problem. I’m certainly not an expert, especially on your types of ponds, even with a lot of Biology, fisheries and wildelife education. The thing is… you obviously live where it is warm and sunny most of the time, and the water temperatures will be warm most of the year. With the sunlight comes the algae, and the way people control it is either with filters or chemical treatments, or both. I think part of the challenge is for shallower ponds, the sun penetrates to the bottom and the algae cycle just keeps going. But just because the water isn’t “clear” that’s not all bad… there will always be some algae and growth- you’ve created a natural environment for your fish… as much as we would like it to be a perfect and clear fish tank, I doubt that’s possible. If it becomes covered in the stringy algae, or the filamentous algae, then that is the real challenge. But if it’s just regular algae, there are a few chemicals and water treatments that could help. And one of the keys I think you have already addressed… keeping as much organic matter out of the water. Leaves and other natural debris will provide a lot of phosphorous and other elements in the water that will really promote algae growth, so you definitely have the right idea by keeping it clean. Have you consulted with any of the pond specialty shops or the internet for possible ideas? It sounds like a wonderful pond though! I wish you the best… if I see any research that might help I’ll let you know. Thanks for stopping in- Steve

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:00:58 +0000

Have you tried water plants as they use up nutrients from fish and other decaying items that enter your pond. Plants also add oxygen back into the water.

By: Beau

Beau — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:24:36 +0000

Hi Greg- Thanks for stopping by; I have not added water plants much as I’m concerned I’ll make the wrong choice and have a different problem later… ! But it would be great if I could find a nice lily or something that didn’t become too invasive? Great point though…