String Algae Invasion

[stricks760]

Hi -

I went on a five day vacation, and while I was gone it was hot (like 90
degrees, So. Cal).

When I got back, I had string algae all over - down the waterfall, in the
pond, the fish were freaking out, etc. I mean, this stuff was everywhere.

This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What should I
do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!

[BenignVanilla]

"stricks760" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> Hi -
>
> I went on a five day vacation, and while I was gone it was hot (like 90
> degrees, So. Cal).
>
> When I got back, I had string algae all over - down the waterfall, in the
> pond, the fish were freaking out, etc. I mean, this stuff was everywhere.
>
> This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What should
I
> do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!

Scoop it our where it looks ugly, on your falls etc. Toss it in your compost
heap. Don't worry about it in the future. It's normal and means your pond
has a healthy biosystem going. IMHO, some string algae is good...any plant
feasting on fish poop is a good plant if you ask me.

--
BV.
www.iheartmypond.com

[BenignVanilla]

"stricks760" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> Hi -
>
> I went on a five day vacation, and while I was gone it was hot (like 90
> degrees, So. Cal).
>
> When I got back, I had string algae all over - down the waterfall, in the
> pond, the fish were freaking out, etc. I mean, this stuff was everywhere.
>
> This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What should
I
> do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!

Scoop it our where it looks ugly, on your falls etc. Toss it in your compost
heap. Don't worry about it in the future. It's normal and means your pond
has a healthy biosystem going. IMHO, some string algae is good...any plant
feasting on fish poop is a good plant if you ask me.

--
BV.
www.iheartmypond.com

[joe]

On 3/31/04 9:39 AM, "stricks760" > wrote:

> This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What should I
> do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!

Just get in there and grab it out by hand.

Joe

San Diego



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[joe]

On 3/31/04 9:39 AM, "stricks760" > wrote:

> This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What should I
> do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!

Just get in there and grab it out by hand.

Joe

San Diego



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http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
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[RichToyBox]

A new, not used, toilet brush, the type with a ball shape, swirled around
the pond will remove lots of it. For the water fall area, I have heard that
you can turn off the water fall, salt the string algae, and then turn the
waterfall back on.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"stricks760" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> Hi -
>
> I went on a five day vacation, and while I was gone it was hot (like 90
> degrees, So. Cal).
>
> When I got back, I had string algae all over - down the waterfall, in the
> pond, the fish were freaking out, etc. I mean, this stuff was everywhere.
>
> This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What should
I
> do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!
>
>

[RichToyBox]

A new, not used, toilet brush, the type with a ball shape, swirled around
the pond will remove lots of it. For the water fall area, I have heard that
you can turn off the water fall, salt the string algae, and then turn the
waterfall back on.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"stricks760" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> Hi -
>
> I went on a five day vacation, and while I was gone it was hot (like 90
> degrees, So. Cal).
>
> When I got back, I had string algae all over - down the waterfall, in the
> pond, the fish were freaking out, etc. I mean, this stuff was everywhere.
>
> This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What should
I
> do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!
>
>

[Hal]

>"stricks760" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>> Hi -
>>
>> I went on a five day vacation, and while I was gone it was hot (like 90
>> degrees, So. Cal).
>>
>> When I got back, I had string algae all over - down the waterfall, in the
>> pond, the fish were freaking out, etc. I mean, this stuff was everywhere.
>>
>> This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What should
>I
>> do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!

String algae looks bad, but it feeds directly on ammonia so it isn't
all bad. If you have more, than you can handle scooping it out
aluminum sulfate will kill it, but the cure is almost as bad as the
disease. Aluminum Sulfate 2.66 ounces per 1000 gal. 4 oz per 1500
gal. It's 20 ppm, which is the dose recommended by the USDA. Reduces
KH removes, phosphates causes particles to coagulate. The dead algae
and snails (Yep, kills snails.) have to be cleaned out of the pond or
they will rot and cause problems also the dead algae releases what it
consumed growing, back into the water adding to the growth of new
string algae.

Another theory is to turn off the UV, add nitrate of soda, not
ammonium nitrate, until another algae becomes dominant in your pond
and turns the water black and kills the string algae. Then the
problem is to clear up the water and that may not happen until the
winter kills the black algae.

Try raking it out first.

Regards,

Hal

[Hal]

>"stricks760" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>> Hi -
>>
>> I went on a five day vacation, and while I was gone it was hot (like 90
>> degrees, So. Cal).
>>
>> When I got back, I had string algae all over - down the waterfall, in the
>> pond, the fish were freaking out, etc. I mean, this stuff was everywhere.
>>
>> This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What should
>I
>> do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!

String algae looks bad, but it feeds directly on ammonia so it isn't
all bad. If you have more, than you can handle scooping it out
aluminum sulfate will kill it, but the cure is almost as bad as the
disease. Aluminum Sulfate 2.66 ounces per 1000 gal. 4 oz per 1500
gal. It's 20 ppm, which is the dose recommended by the USDA. Reduces
KH removes, phosphates causes particles to coagulate. The dead algae
and snails (Yep, kills snails.) have to be cleaned out of the pond or
they will rot and cause problems also the dead algae releases what it
consumed growing, back into the water adding to the growth of new
string algae.

Another theory is to turn off the UV, add nitrate of soda, not
ammonium nitrate, until another algae becomes dominant in your pond
and turns the water black and kills the string algae. Then the
problem is to clear up the water and that may not happen until the
winter kills the black algae.

Try raking it out first.

Regards,

Hal

[redvudu]

For the water fall, I turn it off and spray the algae with white vinegar,
let it sit for a few minutes then turn the pump back on. You can repeat if
necessary. You will not add enough vinegar to change the pH. Turns the
algae to mush and gets filtered out.
"

[redvudu]

For the water fall, I turn it off and spray the algae with white vinegar,
let it sit for a few minutes then turn the pump back on. You can repeat if
necessary. You will not add enough vinegar to change the pH. Turns the
algae to mush and gets filtered out.
"

[Steven E. Eyrse]

That sounds good but Do you have fish? If so how do they take to the
vinegar ?

Steve E.


On Sun, 04 Apr 2004 03:29:00 GMT, "redvudu" > wrote:

>For the water fall, I turn it off and spray the algae with white vinegar,
>let it sit for a few minutes then turn the pump back on. You can repeat if
>necessary. You will not add enough vinegar to change the pH. Turns the
>algae to mush and gets filtered out.
>"
>

[Steven E. Eyrse]

That sounds good but Do you have fish? If so how do they take to the
vinegar ?

Steve E.


On Sun, 04 Apr 2004 03:29:00 GMT, "redvudu" > wrote:

>For the water fall, I turn it off and spray the algae with white vinegar,
>let it sit for a few minutes then turn the pump back on. You can repeat if
>necessary. You will not add enough vinegar to change the pH. Turns the
>algae to mush and gets filtered out.
>"
>

[Glen Harris]

Steven E. Eyrse wrote:
> That sounds good but Do you have fish? If so how do they take to the
> vinegar ?

Very reluctantly, but they have little choice in the matter. A little
salt and some chips don't go astray, either.

[Glen Harris]

Steven E. Eyrse wrote:
> That sounds good but Do you have fish? If so how do they take to the
> vinegar ?

Very reluctantly, but they have little choice in the matter. A little
salt and some chips don't go astray, either.

[Just Me \Koi\]

Use Algaefix a few days (5) before the toilet brush thing. It will be a
snap!

--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"RichToyBox" > wrote in message
news:9rLac.50623$K91.122125@attbi_s02...
> A new, not used, toilet brush, the type with a ball shape, swirled around
> the pond will remove lots of it. For the water fall area, I have heard
that
> you can turn off the water fall, salt the string algae, and then turn the
> waterfall back on.
> --
> RichToyBox
> http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html
>
>
> "stricks760" > wrote in message
> ink.net...
> > Hi -
> >
> > I went on a five day vacation, and while I was gone it was hot (like 90
> > degrees, So. Cal).
> >
> > When I got back, I had string algae all over - down the waterfall, in
the
> > pond, the fish were freaking out, etc. I mean, this stuff was
everywhere.
> >
> > This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What
should
> I
> > do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!
> >
> >
>
>

[Just Me \Koi\]

Use Algaefix a few days (5) before the toilet brush thing. It will be a
snap!

--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"RichToyBox" > wrote in message
news:9rLac.50623$K91.122125@attbi_s02...
> A new, not used, toilet brush, the type with a ball shape, swirled around
> the pond will remove lots of it. For the water fall area, I have heard
that
> you can turn off the water fall, salt the string algae, and then turn the
> waterfall back on.
> --
> RichToyBox
> http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html
>
>
> "stricks760" > wrote in message
> ink.net...
> > Hi -
> >
> > I went on a five day vacation, and while I was gone it was hot (like 90
> > degrees, So. Cal).
> >
> > When I got back, I had string algae all over - down the waterfall, in
the
> > pond, the fish were freaking out, etc. I mean, this stuff was
everywhere.
> >
> > This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What
should
> I
> > do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!
> >
> >
>
>

[~ jan JJsPond.us]

Jan kicks everyone aside to get on her soapbox.

Got a problem in your pond? Everyone say it with me now, "Check your water
quality" before you mess around. All that string algae is feeding on
something, better figure it out before your remove it and end up with
suspended algae or worst.

Why is everyone so concerned with String Algae? As a pond newbie, I was
totally thrilled when I finally had a really good collection of SA, it was
better than the suspended algae I'd suffered the year before. Plus, I
thought it was kind of cool waving in the current. Obviously we need to
change our perception, don't we? <Readjust that satellite dish> ;o)

So if you check your WQ with test kits under a year old, and everything is
cool. The vinegar idea is interesting, as long as you pull the dead stuff
out and not let it foul the pond. Vinegar is so weak that any pH change
usually won't be much nor last long, but you should check your KH
afterwards. I'd leave the SA on the sides of the pond, if the fish spawn,
they will tear the SA off the walls and you'll have live, easy to remove SA
bunnies (think dust bunnies) on the bottom of the pond.

More than likely, this will only be a 1 year event as the pond gets
balanced with a good crop of fuzz algae. This is why you want to be very
careful what you use to get rid of it, so you don't kill the good algae.
~ jan (Do you know where your water quality is?)

>"stricks760" wrote:
>I went on a five day vacation, and while I was gone it was hot (like 90
>degrees, So. Cal).
>
>When I got back, I had string algae all over - down the waterfall, in the
>pond, the fish were freaking out, etc. I mean, this stuff was everywhere.
>
>This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What should I
>do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!
>

[~ jan JJsPond.us]

Jan kicks everyone aside to get on her soapbox.

Got a problem in your pond? Everyone say it with me now, "Check your water
quality" before you mess around. All that string algae is feeding on
something, better figure it out before your remove it and end up with
suspended algae or worst.

Why is everyone so concerned with String Algae? As a pond newbie, I was
totally thrilled when I finally had a really good collection of SA, it was
better than the suspended algae I'd suffered the year before. Plus, I
thought it was kind of cool waving in the current. Obviously we need to
change our perception, don't we? <Readjust that satellite dish> ;o)

So if you check your WQ with test kits under a year old, and everything is
cool. The vinegar idea is interesting, as long as you pull the dead stuff
out and not let it foul the pond. Vinegar is so weak that any pH change
usually won't be much nor last long, but you should check your KH
afterwards. I'd leave the SA on the sides of the pond, if the fish spawn,
they will tear the SA off the walls and you'll have live, easy to remove SA
bunnies (think dust bunnies) on the bottom of the pond.

More than likely, this will only be a 1 year event as the pond gets
balanced with a good crop of fuzz algae. This is why you want to be very
careful what you use to get rid of it, so you don't kill the good algae.
~ jan (Do you know where your water quality is?)

>"stricks760" wrote:
>I went on a five day vacation, and while I was gone it was hot (like 90
>degrees, So. Cal).
>
>When I got back, I had string algae all over - down the waterfall, in the
>pond, the fish were freaking out, etc. I mean, this stuff was everywhere.
>
>This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What should I
>do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!
>

[[email protected]]

I didnt have any, so I went to my friend the Pond Lady and she let me take as much SA
as I wanted. I guess I have to go get another shot, mine dies off in the veggie
filter every year, except right on the lip of the waterfall...
-----> "All that string algae is feeding on >something, better figure it out before
your remove it and end up with >suspended algae or worst." Jan
got that? string algae starts right up in spring, it is found in all the clearest
and best streams and brooks doing its job. If it persists past spring, then there is
an obvious problem with unused wastes and time for a veggie filter. Ingrid

~ jan JJsPond.us > wrote:

>Jan kicks everyone aside to get on her soapbox.
>
>Got a problem in your pond? Everyone say it with me now, "Check your water
>quality" before you mess around. All that string algae is feeding on
>something, better figure it out before your remove it and end up with
>suspended algae or worst.
>
>Why is everyone so concerned with String Algae? As a pond newbie, I was
>totally thrilled when I finally had a really good collection of SA, it was
>better than the suspended algae I'd suffered the year before. Plus, I
>thought it was kind of cool waving in the current. Obviously we need to
>change our perception, don't we? <Readjust that satellite dish> ;o)
>
>So if you check your WQ with test kits under a year old, and everything is
>cool. The vinegar idea is interesting, as long as you pull the dead stuff
>out and not let it foul the pond. Vinegar is so weak that any pH change
>usually won't be much nor last long, but you should check your KH
>afterwards. I'd leave the SA on the sides of the pond, if the fish spawn,
>they will tear the SA off the walls and you'll have live, easy to remove SA
>bunnies (think dust bunnies) on the bottom of the pond.
>
>More than likely, this will only be a 1 year event as the pond gets
>balanced with a good crop of fuzz algae. This is why you want to be very
>careful what you use to get rid of it, so you don't kill the good algae.
> ~ jan (Do you know where your water quality is?)
>
>>"stricks760" wrote:
>>I went on a five day vacation, and while I was gone it was hot (like 90
>>degrees, So. Cal).
>>
>>When I got back, I had string algae all over - down the waterfall, in the
>>pond, the fish were freaking out, etc. I mean, this stuff was everywhere.
>>
>>This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What should I
>>do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!
>>



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[[email protected]]

I didnt have any, so I went to my friend the Pond Lady and she let me take as much SA
as I wanted. I guess I have to go get another shot, mine dies off in the veggie
filter every year, except right on the lip of the waterfall...
-----> "All that string algae is feeding on >something, better figure it out before
your remove it and end up with >suspended algae or worst." Jan
got that? string algae starts right up in spring, it is found in all the clearest
and best streams and brooks doing its job. If it persists past spring, then there is
an obvious problem with unused wastes and time for a veggie filter. Ingrid

~ jan JJsPond.us > wrote:

>Jan kicks everyone aside to get on her soapbox.
>
>Got a problem in your pond? Everyone say it with me now, "Check your water
>quality" before you mess around. All that string algae is feeding on
>something, better figure it out before your remove it and end up with
>suspended algae or worst.
>
>Why is everyone so concerned with String Algae? As a pond newbie, I was
>totally thrilled when I finally had a really good collection of SA, it was
>better than the suspended algae I'd suffered the year before. Plus, I
>thought it was kind of cool waving in the current. Obviously we need to
>change our perception, don't we? <Readjust that satellite dish> ;o)
>
>So if you check your WQ with test kits under a year old, and everything is
>cool. The vinegar idea is interesting, as long as you pull the dead stuff
>out and not let it foul the pond. Vinegar is so weak that any pH change
>usually won't be much nor last long, but you should check your KH
>afterwards. I'd leave the SA on the sides of the pond, if the fish spawn,
>they will tear the SA off the walls and you'll have live, easy to remove SA
>bunnies (think dust bunnies) on the bottom of the pond.
>
>More than likely, this will only be a 1 year event as the pond gets
>balanced with a good crop of fuzz algae. This is why you want to be very
>careful what you use to get rid of it, so you don't kill the good algae.
> ~ jan (Do you know where your water quality is?)
>
>>"stricks760" wrote:
>>I went on a five day vacation, and while I was gone it was hot (like 90
>>degrees, So. Cal).
>>
>>When I got back, I had string algae all over - down the waterfall, in the
>>pond, the fish were freaking out, etc. I mean, this stuff was everywhere.
>>
>>This is my first spring, the pond went 'live' last September. What should I
>>do, I've never even seen string algae until the past two weeks!
>>



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.