Cleaning green ponds

Credit: Brand X Pictures- Gardening- Sandra Ivany

In any body of water that is not chemically treated, a biological process takes place where natural organics begin to grow. This is a healthy, natural process that you want to encourage in a water feature, and a large proportion of the oxygen in our water is generated through the growth of these organics.

However, the unattractive process that is creating your green water is both controllable and unnecessary. The cells that are suspended in the water simply need to be removed through filtration and treatment. Just as in nature, where creeks and streams act as filters to remove suspended solids in lakes, filters have the same effect in ponds.

You should realize that if you can see green water, your problem actually began four to six weeks earlier. When the water temperature reaches 12°C (54°F), algae cells begin splitting and multiplying by the millions. They begin their life as invisible microscopic cells (1/2 micron), of which your pond can contain billions. Over the course of four to six weeks, these cells consume nutrients and grow, but it is during the microscopic stage that it is easiest to control them.

If you treat your water with a UV clarifier, the algae cells will become sticky and adhere to the filter, the walls of the pond and any other surface, preventing them from floating in the water. As a result, you will eliminate the cause of the green water while still maintaining the cells’ oxygen-producing benefits. Look for manufacturers that use this system and are capable of offering clear water guarantees for the life of the pond.