Pond algae questions are our most asked questions. The main question asked about pond algae, is how to kill it. Like lake weeds, or any other problem, the best answer is to prevent it. In most cases the algae problem is filamentous algae.
Pond algae treatment
Filamentous algae can be killed in a number of ways, of which, the most common is copper sulfate. Copper sulfate eats tiny holes in the plant causing it to bleed out chlorophyll, die, and drop to the pond bottom where it is degraded.
Pond algae killers
Copper sulfate comes in several forms and derivatives, a crystal, and various liquids with a variety of properties. Pond scum, or blanket weed pond algae can also be killed using contact aquatic weed killers like diquat.
Pond algae removal
Some of our most prominent questions relate to pond scum removal. Pond scum can be removed by skimming it from the top of the pond using mechanical means, or hand rakes. This can be a slow and tedious process, and if it is treated with copper products or other types of herbicides, the actual removal of pond scum is not needed. The mats of pond algae will turn brown and sink to the pond or lake bed where they will degrade.
Pond algae control warnings
If you use chemical blanket weed control and the blanket weed covers the majority of your pond or lake, do not treat more than 1/3 to 1/2 of the area at one time. After each treatment, give the algae time to drop and break down before proceeding with the next section. As plants degrade, they use oxygen, and too much at one time will kill fish. Take this warning seriously!
Pond algae control follow up
Pond algae begins at the bottom of a lake when sunlight reaches through the water. If the water is clear, there will be pond scum. After pond scum treatment, measures should be taken to color the water with phytoplankton. You can learn more about that here:
