Author Topic: My "Jerry Built" idea for stopping String Algae. (Read 2378 times)

Jerry · « **on:** May 05, 2007, 01:40:59 PM »

I have a stainless steel spillway. The water cascades over a huge boulder. The SA accumulates on the rock as you see.
I said to my self. "Self" I said, "What if the water missed the boulder?" "Maybe then the SA wouldn't grow?' (picture a light bulb icon here)
So I crafted an extension for the spillway. Only a temporary one. Now if the SA dries up, It will have worked. I can either remove the "C" clamps and resume tho old way. Hopefully it will take SA a long time to come back. Then I do my Jerry Built extension again.
The other option is to have sheet metal guy build me a Stainless Steel extension.
Understand the spillweay is diguised with hanging plants normally.
See 2 shots below.
A pal tells me galvanized will last 20 years, "You don't need stainless>"

SheilaJ · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2007, 02:14:18 PM »

Interesting theory. Keep us posted. My guess is the evil algae will find a different way to invade...

Jerry · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2007, 03:19:44 PM »

I fear you are right Shelia, but i gotsta try.

Teresa · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2007, 03:44:16 PM »

If you manage to kill what's on the rock, it's a start! And when you pull the extension off and let it dry, the sa on it will die too.

happyoutsidegirl · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2007, 04:37:26 PM »

Well aint you the smart one! I hope it works for ya. You'll have to keep us posted on this one! So now we have the queen of PVC and the king of stainless steel!

Jerry · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2007, 04:51:26 PM »

So far it's just an old piece of Galvanize sheet metal for a sign. if it works we can go Stainless.
I think Shelia was right, the stuff will find another way. Seems like it's worth a try.

perplexed ponder · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2007, 05:36:54 PM »

I dub thee Sultan of spillway

Jerry · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2007, 10:21:51 PM »

Thank ye me lady.

Seriously the rock is now dry. We will see what becomes of the String Algae

andrew davis · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2007, 11:11:22 PM »

If you are willing to stop the fall for a day or two....

If you calculate a .1 ppm total pond dose of copper sulphate, waited for the falls to stop dripping of water, applying that small dose solely in the area of the string algae, it will absorb it and drop stone cold dead.

Left for two days the focussed toxic dose of copper sulphate will combine with calcium carbonate to form insoluble copper carbonate (benign)

As copper is commonly present in water at levels tolerable for aquatic life at levels up to 1ppm, the .1 ppm dose focussed only in the area of the string algae will be a very effective algaecide with an after effect of being a trace mineral perk for plants when you flush the falls

Regards, andy
http://www.members.aol.com/abdavisnc/swglist.html

Mikey · « **Reply #9 on:** May 06, 2007, 12:06:56 AM »

Hey Jerry. A pond without string algae is nothing but a pool.... Real ponds have string algae, scum on the bottom, some debris floating on top and some dead lily leaves...... or at least that's what I keep telling myself since I have all those things....

Esther · « **Reply #10 on:** May 06, 2007, 05:13:35 AM »

Jerry, you aren't fooling me by trying to say that SA only grows on rocks and spillways. I know different. A couple of summers ago, my pond was neglected terribly and it almost totally filled up. The fish had little tunnels in the SA.

Jerry · « **Reply #11 on:** May 06, 2007, 07:31:13 AM »

Yes, Esther I know, but the falls are the main spot. It hangs like garlands.
Andy, how the heck do I measure 1 ppm?

happyoutsidegirl · « **Reply #12 on:** May 06, 2007, 08:40:54 AM »

If it kills the Algae wont it kill other plants as well??? I'v always been told to keep copper out of the pond?????

Jerry · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2007, 08:54:20 AM »

This morning the big rock was only half dry. I guess there is enough spladhing to keep the growth on the bottom part happy. Not too good :'( :'(

andrew davis · « **Reply #14 on:** May 06, 2007, 09:07:19 AM »

Hi Jerry

ooh, don't try if you are not familiar with calculating precision doses.

If you know a pharmacist, chemist, say Roddy Conrad they would likely do the sum and double check the accuracy

To do it

Calculate, volume of pond WxLxD in cubic feet

Convert the cubic foot volume, to cubic metres

(I use centimetres to calculate final doses, easier to measure by volume)

I cubic centimetre = 1,000,000 part of a cubic metre

Suppose I have a koi pool 2160 cubic foot, that is 61.16 cubic metres.

A one millionth part would be 61.1 cu cm

a one tenth part of that would be 6.1 cu cm. As that is calculated to be one tenth part of what is known to be a tolerable level of copper sulphate for that size pond, I would not worry about applying that specifically to one small area of algae in a controlled way, dissolving the copper sulphate in a cup of water and gently dabbing that accurately onto the semi dry algae with a sponge, so more or less every drop is absorbed only by the algae

6cu cm of copper sulphate might cost all of 4.5c from a standard bag of copper sulphate

Hi Happy,
Copper is normally present in freshwater and is a vital trace mineral that plants absorb. It is one of the ingredients of Osmocote. Copper levels in freshwater are considered safe below one part per million. Above that, and levels become toxic.

Regards, andy
http://www.members.aol.com/abdavisnc/swglist.html

Craig · « **Reply #15 on:** May 06, 2007, 11:30:32 AM »

If you want to go with a copper algaecide, there are aquaculture supply houses that sell aqueous solutions of copper based algecides. You don't need the slide rule that way, just mix per directions and serve.<g>

But copper can build up in the system if it is used repeatedly, but the beauty of the supply house source is they will provide the manufacturer's msd sheet to help avoid problems.

andrew davis · « **Reply #16 on:** May 06, 2007, 11:51:04 AM »

The thought of paying the retailers mark up on their version of 4.5 cents worth of copper sulphate is, ummm beyond comprehension

Regards, andy
http://www.members.aol.com/abdavisnc/swglist.html

Jerry · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2007, 01:14:46 PM »

I hear you Andrew, but I am glad to pay for a simple solpoution

perplexed ponder · « **Reply #18 on:** May 06, 2007, 01:47:56 PM »

OMG ANDREW! that seesm to much like MATH to me! boo hiss!!

We get the algae on our rocks in the falls too. it hangs like garlands too and the water then travels down it instead of flowing nicely over the rocks. Matt pressure washes it off every few weeks. We were told we get it because of not having enough bio filtration, so I'm waiting to see if this new filter helps. I have my doubts.

The frogs really like it though! we visited a pond at a nursery that was toatlly full of it and there must have been 100 frogs there all peeking thier little eyes through it.

happyoutsidegirl · « **Reply #19 on:** May 06, 2007, 07:55:11 PM »

Thanks Andrew for clearing that up for me but you lost me after To do it????? I'm with kathey on this one.

Jerry · « **Reply #20 on:** May 07, 2007, 02:22:20 PM »

Here is shot of the big rock almost dry. i made it a point to not clean off the algae. We will see what happens

Jerry · « **Reply #21 on:** May 11, 2007, 04:54:20 PM »

More pics tomorow , but the rock is dry, no more SA! The SA is dust.
I got it right for a change!

karen J · « **Reply #22 on:** May 11, 2007, 06:57:21 PM »

John Johns suggested OxyClean last year. It works, but you still have to find a way to dispose of the dead stuff.