Click to learn about the types of pond algae and how to control it.
Algae control types of pond algae.
Filamentous algae also called pond scum pond moss string algae hair algae frog spittle or water net begins growing on the bottom of ponds on surfaces like rocks and logs and resembles green fur.
Chemical algaecides can provide short term control of most types of pond algae but this is not an ideal long term solution.
There are basically two types of pond algae.
Limit mowing around the edges of your lake or pond to help.
If conditions are right meaning there s plenty of nutrients and sunlight as many as five million algae cells per milliliter of pond water can be present.
For pond algae or lake algae control we recommend the copper based algaecide mizzen to help control nearly all types of planktonic algae filamentus algae and chara.
While many types of pond algae are unwanted because they look unsightly our experts agree that blue green algae bga is the worst type of algae to have in your pond because of its ability to cause harmful algae blooms habs toxic algae incidents around the world.
In order to help you identify the type of algae you may have we put together a list of the 5 most common types of algae you find in freshwater lakes and ponds.
The worst type of algae.
Avoid grass clippings leaves fertilizer and other nutrient loaded organic debris from getting into your water body.
Mizzen is an epa approved algaecide that is safe for most fish however it is not recommended for use where there are koi trout or channel catfish.
Blue green algae blue green algae also know as cyanobacteria is a phylum of bacteria that obtains its energy through photosynthetic prokaryotes that are able to produce oxygen.
The main goal of a successful algae control plan is to limit and reduce the nutrients in the water that can cause unwanted algae growth.
These single celled organisms which remain suspended in water are so tiny they pass through even the finest filter.
Green algae belonging to the family chlorophyta is the most diverse group of algae encompassing over 7 000 species.
Dealing with different types of pond algae.
These algae are present in most healthy pond and lake ecosystems as they are at the base of the food web.
The two most common forms of algae that pond owners struggle to control are filamentous algae and planktonic algae.
First of all the most basic option once you notice an algae bloom will be manual scraping.
Although there are a great multitude of algae types and even more varieties of algae within these types there are some common means and methods to deal with this menace.
Although bryozoans are a type of small animals rather than algae many people often confuse them with algae.