It can affect every pond owner. But if you are careful you can avert problems before they occur. In the following article we would like to introduce you to the different types of algae you may meet in the garden pond:
One of the most dangerous and often underestimated algae in our ponds is the blue-green alga or slime alga. It is especially dangerous because it releases a toxin which poisons plants and fish. As with all algae, the cause is an increasing nitrate value and the rising temperature in the garden pond. This “alga”, which is really a bacterium, can be easily discerned on the smeary coating of stones, decorations and at the water line of the pond foil. Often you can also see an oily, shimmering film on the surface.
The green alga is a typical spring alga. It comes to life when the temperatures rapidly increase but the aquatic plants are not yet able to absorb the nutrient phosphate in larger amounts, leaving this fully available for the algae. JBL PhosEX Pond Filter is an excellent help here. As with all anti-algae agents a KH value above 5 is essential.
The thread alga, which belongs to the green algae, also benefits from the increasing sunlight and rising temperatures. This alga appears in various shapes and sizes. It can be in long threads, up to 9 cm in length, small bushy coverings, form cobweb-like nets but also herbaceous or clump-like nests. It is often caused by insufficient planting of the garden pond. A combined excess of oxygen and nutrients and too much sunlight also create perfect conditions for this algae. For this alga please scatter our tried and tested JBL AlgoPond Direct on the thread algae. But please avoid it reaching your aquatic plants.
Floating alga is present in every garden pond and is very useful in moderate amounts, since it is a natural source of nutrition for microorganisms. As with all algae, it produces oxygen through photosynthesis. This alga can be very dangerous in excess. It can rapidly form a thick carpet on the surface and thus prevent the sunlight from reaching the pond. Gradually everything in the pond dies off and the risk of the pond water “collapsing” increases.
Diatoms are a well-known microalgae. They are difficult to remove because of their size. Diatoms are easily recognisable by their rust-coloured coating.
Reducing the phosphate is essential after treatment with all anti-algae agents. This is possible with a filter material, JBL PhosEX Pond Filter , but also in liquid form, JBL PhosExPond Direct .
