String Algae Invasion

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!




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