Plant Gardens 101

Anyone who has added a pond or water garden to their property is probably enjoying the beautification benefits such an addition provides. After all, how could exotic goldfish or aquatic plants not improve visual allure? Of course, plants and fish have to be visible in order to provide that benefit. When they are obscured or, worse, harmed by algae these benefits decrease. That is why removing algae are important. The most popular way to remove algae is through the use of algaecides. While this is a good method, it is not a perfect one. So, let’s look at a few of the pros and cons of using algaecides.

Cons

• Some algaecides such as copper sulfate can cause harm to certain fish like koi that may live the pond. This is why it is necessary to select an algaecide that has a good reputation in the consumer marketplace. Also, if the algaecide comes in granular form it needs to dissolve as soon as it comes in contact with the water. If not, it could possible be ingested by birds or pets. This could poison the animal.
• Using too much algaecide or using it in a new pond prior to proper development of an adequate ecosystem can have devastating effects. One of these effects could be an inordinate increase of ammonia in the pond while simultaneously decreasing helpful bacteria in the pond. Needless to say, this can harm plant and aquatic life.
• Some algaecides can be mildly corrosive. That is why they should not be mixed with ammonia, household cleaners, or other products that would increase the potential for corrosiveness to the pond. Also, there is the potential that liquid algaecides can burn flesh if not handled properly. That is why extreme care must be taken when handling algaecides.
• Algaecides or only a short-term solution. Typically the use of an algaecide will only temporarily kill off the algae, only to create a food source for a new algae bloom. Algaecides should be used in conjunction with beneficial pond bacteria and good filtration to help remove the resulting dead algae.

Pros

• Algaecide is proven to eliminate algae easily and inexpensively. For many pond owners, the need for an effective algae treatment must coincide with one that is simple to use and does not cost very much. Thankfully, there are a number of quality algaecides on the market that deliver on both these fronts.
• Algaecides, work in a quick and efficient manner. In fact, there are algaecide formulas, which can eliminate algae within 24 hours. This is no minor point. Algae can cause a great deal of havoc in a pond and the ability to eradicate it as soon as possible is helpful.
• Many algaecides are fish and plant safe, such as GreenClean,. In the past people primarily were using copper products, which can be harmful to fish if not used precisely.

Can ponds look good without algaecide use? Absolutely. However, algaecides can work wonders as one of many tools used for keeping a pond or water garden in proper condition. In general, algaecides are harmless although one needs to understand certain potential problems. But, if algaecide is used properly, most algae related problems can be averted.

Casey Coke is a Marketing Manager for Natural Environmental Systems, LLC, a global supplier of microbial solutions and products for pond and lake management including algae control.

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