new ponds go thru "succession" (scroll to the bottom to see a synopsis of sand dune
succession)
http://weloveteaching.com/spring2005...evolution.html

when the pond is first filled most water is going to be full of nutrients. It is
also going to be cold. as the sun warms it up algae bits float in or are brought in
on insect and bird feet. this part can be speeded up by seeding with a LOT of algae.
as the algae grows there are 3 main types (with good aeration), algae on the side of
the liner, algae free in the water and string algae. if there is no aeration there
is also bubble algae. ponders like the algae on the sides we call it sweater algae.
with no fish or nutrient run off eventually the free algae (pea soup) and string
algae die off for the most part (some hangs around) leaving the algae on the sides of
the pond. the pond is now "balanced". even if iced over the algae keeps growing.
somewhere during this first phase the filter of our choice is added. it takes about
a month for a filter to mature. I use a veggie filter
http://weloveteaching.com/mypond/mypond.htm
in the shade, shade loving plants will be needed. I hear some people use hostas.
Once the pond is clear, temp of the water is warmed up is the time to add fish. Fish
need to be added a few at a time, the smaller the pond the fewer the fish. it takes
a mature pond a mere couple weeks to adjust to the new load of fertilizers. The
reappearance of pea soup (free algae) usually means too many fish have been added.
pea soup is an indicator of excess nutrients in the water. Actually, I have seen pea
soup clear in a couple days when the water was moved in the shade. algae likes the
sun so it is important to use test kits if shade prevents algae blooms due to excess
nutrients.
In fall I remove my plants, the tender ones go into the house under lights. In
spring I start running the veggie filter empty and string algae quickly shows up and
grows removing nutrients. during the year when the plants are in the filter I never
see string algae. String algae is seen in clear creeks as the snow and ice melts.
freezing does not kill algae, algae continues to grow under clear ice.
A UV filter can be used to kill the pea soup algae. I dont start using it until I
see my veggie filter is really up and running. I would rather have the excess
nutrients used up by the algae than toxing out my fish. please dont use algaecides,
they are toxic to some degree and getting to the cause of the algae is better for the
pond. Ingrid

"captain039-recponds" wrote:
I should have asked if below zero weather will kill the algae we now
have, or if it would be wise to use an algaecide or something else?



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