Preventing Algae in Backyard Ponds

More and more people are installing backyard ponds these days. A water feature of this sort is very soothing to the eyes and ears providing a relaxing environment for anyone looking for serenity. It can be supplied with fish and plant life to give it a more natural feel all year round.

Installing a backyard pond can be a bit intimidating for the beginner gardener. Often the biggest problem faced by many is keeping the pond clean and the water clear. This is partially due to the lack of knowledge and planning. Without proper maintenance and planning, the ponds fall victim to algae which causes the water to go rancid, murky, not to mention smelly.

When planning a backyard pond of your own, you need to create the ideal ecological atmosphere by integrating natural elements that work together in the fight againts algae. By doing this you will have the perfect balance which will keep the algae under control and the water clean without much effort on your part.

Algae is the main reason pond water goes bad and excessive growth of it can be very conducive to the breeding of mosquitoes and other lingering bugs. If left untreated, your beautiful garden pond will turn into an infested swamp of critters. However discouraging this may sound, there are ways to prevent or at least slow the growth of algae.

Algae thrives on sunlight. If your are just starting to plan your backyard pond, then this is the time to look for a location that receives as little light as your comfortable with. If your pond is already established, then adding floating plants or other buoyant decorative element will help block out the sun, preventing the undo growth of algae. Water lilies are an excellent example of such a plant. Keep in mind that although blocking out the sun is a good preventative measure in keeping your pond clean, there exists different species of algae that need very minimal light to thrive, knowing which algae is in your pond will help decide the best treatment.

Another way to control algae is by paring it up with algae eating fish. The type of fish you add will depend greatly on whether or not you have koi or goldfish in the pond. One popular algae eating fish is the Plecostomus, however, this algae lover is very territorial. It is known to strip off the scales of Koi at night. Another popular choice would be tadpoles and there are even some algae loving shrimp available. Of course, these all need to be carefully considered. I strongly suggest you go to your local gardening store or pet shop and get expert advice on what ideal animal life can be safely added to your pond.

Flying debris and falling leaves also encourage the growth of algae. Algae feed on decaying matter, so removing these as soon as you can will help. There are a variety of chemicals that can be added to your pond, but again, consulting with an expert is advised, especially if you have animal life in the pond. If your algae problem is persistent and you have an army of bugs surrounding your pond, adding plant life around the pond rather than just inside will attract wildlife, keeping this problem to a minimum while you spend your efforts controlling the algae.

These tips are provided to you as a guideline and are not in any way definitive as each pond varies according to it’s environment. Always do your homework and ask questions. As intimidating as it can be to start backyard ponds, the effort you put into will be very rewarding for years to come.