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Frequently Asked Questions

My pond is full of algae, what should I do?

Burns Water Gardens - Pond FAQ
All it means if you have green water is that there are too many nutrients in the water. This can be caused by too many fish, overfeeding the fish, the wrong kind of fertilizer, or lots of rotting vegetation. To combat algae, simply add more plants, decrease the number of fish, feed the fish less or add a filtration system. Don't replace all the water with fresh water... this just gives the algae a fresh supply of nutrients. Adding plants takes away the nutrients the algae needs to survive.

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT ALGAE IN MY POND?

Jungle Pond
You can expect an algae bloom in the spring before your plants have had an opportunity to grow to a size that will sufficiently remove substantial amounts of nitrogen from the water. There is no reason to be concerned, as this is perfectly natural. If you have done your spring maintenance and your pond is not overcrowded or your fish overfed, the algae bloom will subside as your plants grow.

How can I fight algae in my pond?

Frequently Asked Questions - Webb's Water Gardens Online
Oxygenating plants - one bunch for every two square feet of pond surface. Pot in pea gravel, wash gravel first, multiple bunches can be placed in the same pot. These plants thrive on the same nutrients that algae use to grow. Sufficient plants will greatly reduce algae in your pond. Plants should be fertilized with liquid aquatic fertilizer such as Tetra Florafin or Aquatic Plant Stimulant from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. Use as directed by the manufacturer.

Will MacCourt's Natural Pond Treatment get rid of my string algae or red algae?

Lawn ponds, patio ponds, goldfish ponds, waterfalls, plantai...
The Natural Pond Treatment is not an algaecide. It is a natural pond cleaning system that balances your ecosystem. As a result of using our product, water becomes cleaner and clearer.

Can I expect to see algae in my pond once I begin using MacCourt's Natural Pond Treatment?

Lawn ponds, patio ponds, goldfish ponds, waterfalls, plantai...
It is very common to see an algae bloom in your pond after you've added the Natural Pond Treatment, as it typically takes 4 to 6 weeks for the bacteria to break down the excess nutrients and for the water to become more clean and clear.

I have a lot of algae along the edges of my pond. What can I do to get rid of it?

Frequently asked questions regarding ponds, water gardens, f...
If your pond is shallow around the edges you may end up having an ongoing problem. Try to increase the water circulation to those areas. You may need to clean the edges with a soft brush in order to move the algae into the rest of the water and be sucked up by your pump and filtered by your filter. A certain amount of algae is expected, it just depends on your personal taste as far as how much is "too much". It won't hurt the fish but will just be unsightly.

How do algae grow?

M US: Frequently Asked Questions
The primary type of algae found on rooftops - Gloeocapsa magma - thrives in humid environments, often appearing first on the north slope of a roof where extra shade and moisture support its growth. Algae can derive mineral nutrients from fillers such as calcium carbonate in asphalt shingles. Increased use of moisture attracting calcium carbonate fillers cause asphalt shingles to retain moisture longer, thus promoting algae growth.

Why are algae black?

M US: Frequently Asked Questions
The organism Gloeocapsa produces a dark-pigmented sheath to protect itself from ultra-violet rays. By the time the black streaks are noticeable, the algae usually have been growing for months or years - the result of generations of dead algae cells built up over time.

What is Algae?

Algae range from single-celled organisms to multi-cellular organisms, some with fairly complex differentiated form and (if marine) called seaweeds. All algae have photosynthetic machinery ultimately derived from the cyanobacteria, and so produce oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis.Algae are usually found in damp places or bodies of water and thus are common in terrestrial as well as aquatic environments

Where should I put my pond?

King of Ponds, Pump, Filter, UV Sterilizer, Liner, Netting, ...
Place your pond in a place that will maximize your enjoyment. Consider putting it in a place where you can easily view it from rooms where you spend a lot of your time, such as kitchen or family room. Ponds and waterfalls make wonderful additions to the outdoor areas where you relax and entertain such as decks and patios. Some sunlight is good - too much can cause problems. About 1/2 day of sun is usually sufficient to ensure healthy plant growth.

Are algae harmful to shingles?

M US: Frequently Asked Questions
There are no proven damaging effects of algae accumulation on shingles. However, the dark algae streaks are the number one appearance-related problem reported to roofing contractors. Consumers commonly mistake the dark stains for faulty shingles, leading them to complain to the contractor or manufacturer about a shingle's performance.

How do algae stains spread?

M US: Frequently Asked Questions
When environmental conditions are right for algae development, the problem rapidly expands, covering an entire roof. Once algae are present in an area, airborne spores are carried from rooftop to rooftop, infesting whole neighborhoods. All roof types, including wood shakes, concrete and clay tile, and asphalt shingles are susceptible to algae infestation. Cleaning is the most commonly used homeowner defense against algae build-up on asphalt roofing shingles, but at best, it's only a "quick fix.

Where should I put my pond? How do I build it?

Burns Water Gardens - Pond FAQ
This is such a complex question that we've expanded this answer, and given it a page of it's own. So, CLICKbefore you dig!

What is algae (or fungus) found on roofs?

Roofing FAQ from hansons. Roofing, shingle, warranty and mor...
In some moist areas, algae can grow on shingles. Although the algae has no proven effect on shingle life, it does stain or discolor the shingle. Commonly called fungus, this algae staining can be unattractive. The algae-containing stains can be dramatically reduced by the use of special copper granules.

How do I clean existing fungus, moss or algae off my roof?

Shingle Shield - FAQ
For pre-existing conditions we recommend Shingle Shield Roof Cleaner, which is specifically designed to clean roofs prior to application of the roof protector strips. Other cleaning solutions may not be effective against these organisms, and may harm your roof or plants.

What causes algae?

FAQ
Nutrients - Nutrients come from fish waste, over-feeding, decaying plant matter, and dirty filter pads. Remove all leaves and other dead material from the bottom of the pond by hand or with a net. If you are not successful, use Pond-Zyme to encourage the breakdown of materials in the pond. Use marginal plants, water lilies, and floating plants to cover approximately 50-60% of the water surface. The introduction of plants also battles the algae for nutrients and will ultimately choke out algae.
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