Author Topic: String algea soloutions IT WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Read 2204 times)

Jerry · « **on:** April 15, 2014, 11:00:58 PM »

I almost never had that nasty stuff, but I do now. I have been removing it manually with a brush. It slows my leaf catcher and I must clean it out often. getting down there is getting tougher these days. Hopefull as lillys mature they will give shade and end the problem.
I am told stuff in a bottle is waste of money! :'(

Any great suggestions out there? Thanks!

Kat · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2014, 04:11:06 AM »

Manually pulling & I used to use barley pellets. Didn't know if the pellets really worked but when I ran out of it the string algae seemed to get worse. Last year I started to pour hydrogen peroxide directly onto the patches of SA. It would turn a yucky color right away. After knocking it back several times & the temps warming/lilies getting bigger the SA wasn't nearly as much of an issue. Just be sure to not splash any on plants you want to keep. Good luck.

Jerry · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2014, 04:23:38 PM »

I saw a guy on YouTube. he had the answer. he said so himself! he used a darn twick instead of a brush! Sure it works but not as efficient.

finnpond · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2014, 08:36:29 AM »

I have been using large bundles of barley straw in nylon bags, like they use for swim fins, in my "Skippy" type filters for 7 or 8 years and I think it works for me... Water is always very clear and minimal string except under the 2 falls where there is a lot of oxygen, I guess. I picked up a bale of barley straw from the local feed store for 12 bucks and it has lasted me for 3 years now and I've still got a third of it left. Got the first batches from the fields in Eastern Washington and Montana when I was traveling frequently. I know there is much disagreement on this subject, but I'm not going to stop using it now, as prior to usage I had bad infestations of string. Could be my pond has reached an equilibrium and the straw just keeps it there. It wasn't a quick fix, but after a few months it seemed to help. They eventually break down after 6 or 7 months and then I refill the bags with fresh stuff.

Dave

Jerry · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2014, 08:48:59 AM »

Good info Dave, thanks. I will try a feed store and see if I can get lucky.!!

turtlemike · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2014, 01:48:07 PM »

I have 2 pools in my greenhouse. One has Pond Snails and Ramshorns, filtration and string algae, the other pool has trapdoor snails. There is never any algae in the pool with trapdoor snails. No filtration. Pots with lilies in both pools.

Your turtles might be added fertilizer more than your Koi were but the main difference is that you no longer have Koi eating all of the algae. now you need something else to eat it. Trapdoor snails. You probably never had snails because your fish just ate any. Now you need some snails. they WILL NOT eat any plants.Also VERY cool !

Jerry · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2014, 01:55:21 PM »

Thanks Mike. Have I heard the clog the impeller?
Sources? Yes many on internet, but I want one you like.

Lynda · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2014, 05:20:41 PM »

This stuff works and you don't use a lot. You sprinkle it on the algae. You need to do water changes afterwards, but it's inexpensive and works great; used in moderation it doesn't hurt fish. http://www.chemistrystore.com/Chemicals_S-Z-Sodium_Percarbonate.html

Jerry · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2014, 05:29:46 PM »

Thanks Lynda. I picked up a few trap door snails today at Sunland Water Gardens. They are local.
I understand they are big breeders. I wanted to say fecund, but my wife lacks my sense of humor!

2vetts · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2014, 07:05:21 AM »

bought a product named '' pondcare algaefix'' last year and really like it . the day after using it there is a little foam on water which i skim off . water stays crystal clear and it bothers neither fish nor plants . i try it a slightly lesser rate than directions state and add a touch more if i think it is needed . . .peace

Jerry · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2014, 01:12:43 PM »

I have 4 pounds on the way! how much do i use in a 4000 gallon pond?

thank you all

I have the trap door snails as well

Lynda · « **Reply #11 on:** April 21, 2014, 10:29:53 AM »

When I've had to use it (which is not real often) I just lightly sprinkle it directly on the algae. I have a dedicated koi pond with very large koi and I'm leery of using anything that could even potentially hurt the fish. Basically it's powdered highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide which is an oxidizer that can harm fish in larger quantities. In the last couple of years I haven't needed it anywhere but on my waterfall. I've also used it in pots where I keep itty-bitty lilies with no bad effects to the plants. Four pounds should last you a very long time.

Jerry · « **Reply #12 on:** April 21, 2014, 11:46:05 AM »

Lynda thanks, but most of it is on the pond floor. How do I sprinkle there? I guess just let it settle?

Lynda · « **Reply #13 on:** April 22, 2014, 09:13:27 AM »

Yup, just let it settle. It will bubble and kill a good deal of the algae; then remove as much as you possible can (including scum that floats to the top that can be scooped up with a net), do a water change and flush your filter(s) and wait a week or so to do it again. In no time at all the algae will be pretty much gone. Unfortunately it will also kill or knock back the good green algae that grows on the pond walls - but that will come back. Watch your fish closely for a while right after you use it and do a quick water change f they start to act affected. The real key is moderation, as it is in any chemical we add to a pond with fish. Less is better even if it takes longer to completely solve the problem.
EDITED TO ADD: Remove as much of the algae as you can by hand (or rake) before you use the chemical. This will limit the amount of by-product (icky scum) you have to skim and also speed up the process of ridding your pond of the algae completely.

jimr · « **Reply #14 on:** April 22, 2014, 10:59:02 AM »

Jerry

I have had very good results using Hydrogen Peroxide . It is available in any drug store and is cheap.
I use about half a quart for my 1500 gallon pond and it take 2 or 3 treatments about a week apart to kill off the String algae.
Just mix it with a gallon or so of water and add it at your falls. It's a good idea to pull out what string algae you can before treating it so it doesn't just rot in your pond. I've not had any problems with my plants or my goldfish using it. Good luck!

Billy · « **Reply #15 on:** April 22, 2014, 11:10:14 AM »

I use Baquacil Oxidizer that I get at the pool store. It's 27% hydrogen peroxide. So I don't have to buy all those little bottles at the drug store.

Jerry · « **Reply #16 on:** April 22, 2014, 11:59:43 AM »

Thank you all. I ordered some from the chemical co above, Lynda's post.

I see now how much cheaper it can be, geesh I am paying 18.00 for frt! I it was to late to cancel. :'( :'(
It is a learning experience.

Billy · « **Reply #17 on:** April 22, 2014, 12:06:41 PM »

I've used Sodium Percarbonate but prefer Baquacil Oxidizer it does a better job for me.

Jerry · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2014, 04:11:51 PM »

Thanks Billy I will try it next time BUT Thank you LYNDA! the stuff came today "Sodium Carbonate" from your source.
The bottles of peroxcide did not work. Your stuff did...FAST TOO!
my water fall is hard to get to. i will put some in the spillway and see what happens. here is why it is hard to reach.. oops its on my iPAD I will post later

Bob_A · « **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2014, 09:55:31 AM »

Any updates, Jerry?

Jerry · « **Reply #20 on:** July 08, 2014, 10:13:28 AM »

It helped for sure, but the huge coverage of water hyacinth gave a lot of shade. Shade works!

Bob_A · « **Reply #21 on:** July 08, 2014, 11:41:02 AM »

The water hyacinth is also using up a lot of the nutrients in your pond, resulting in less nutrients for the algae.

Jerry · « **Reply #22 on:** July 08, 2014, 11:45:50 AM »

never thought of that