How to Control Algae Growth in Ponds

Algae growth becomes a problem for many pond owners during the springtime. Here's everything you need to know about managing algae and achieving the desired water quality you're looking for!
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[@PondKingWaterGardensMN]

All of our team members are watching this & learning so much! Thank you Professor!

[@DetroitSportFanatic]

One of my favorite videos!!! Great job Ed! The Jordan of pond building 💪

[@johnstup4479]

Great video Ed! Perfect time for this video. This is the first spring for my pond and it just started producing string algae like crazy a few days ago.

[@pondscapesaz]

Great explanation on the cycle of algae Ed. Thank you!

[@pondandgarden]

Awesome video. I love getting in the pond and pulling out the string algae. I love any excuse to get in the pond! Thanks for the great info, Ed!

[@oasisponds593]

Great video, Ed. Shared with my customers!

[@BaruchDavidGreenman]

Ed is one of the best teachers. Glad U have the new channel!

[@hiely2]

your passion for this is so beatiful..

[@VPOMBAL]

You guys are amazing!!! Thank you Ed for all knowledge! Much love from Brazil

[@bobbybakalada3933]

I love every video ur involved in, your knowledge is priceless love it ED!!!

[@HaYNFishKeeper]

This was an awesome video Ed Thanks braddah I love when you break things down and simplify for us newbies much love and Aloha 🤙🏽🐠🌺🐠🤙🏽

[@edbeaulieu5916]

Hawaiian Peacock Glad you enjoyed it!

[@visualkeirockstar]

I have a small pond and I just pull the algae out by hand. Right now they are in a phase where they are not growing as much. It also helps to have a lot of plants in your pond.

[@saundraspringer7526]

love you Ed, thanks for sharing!

[@DanLiese]

ED you do an excellent job on explaining the algae and it's benefits and explanation on how to control it.

[@darlarodriguez2186]

Thanks for the information on types of algae and their key roles in the pond. Very helpful and a great reminder that one does not want to remove all algae from their pond.

[@annasoucek6407]

Im deaf so appreciate the clarity and wonderful presentation

[@njpondguy]

Great video Professor!

[@timhiland3908]

Excellent ! Really enjoyed the video. Like the equipment.

[@isaaciglesias1778]

Great and educational video i also love algae i think it give the pond character and a good hiding spot for Fry's as i just found out. Thanks! Awesome video.

[@edbeaulieu5916]

Isaac Iglesias I agree!

[@rosalindagallarza2989]

Thank you so much for this video...I love aquascape products the only products I use for my water features 💖💙❤

[@pondkingprojectshowcasesin4124]

Already sent for video to our team!

[@michaelhammer3863]

Great video.

[@glennferrell775]

Great educational video that I can share with my customers. Thanks a bunch.

[@edbeaulieu5916]

Glenn Ferrell Awesome!

[@lasvegasnvplumbingplomeroa5402]

Thanks 👍 for your video I love it ☺️

[@seedsofnaturewatergardens]

More of this please

[@rbohn1]

Great detail!!!

[@elisamedic]

Thank you for sharing. I have a large clay pond with Koi , Bass, and Catfish. This winter I had a complete change over of water and my water has been cloudy since then. I live near Buffalo NY and we had a lot of snow. Today I noticed the algae around the shore.

[@edbeaulieu5916]

Elisa D During spring ponds are bouncing all over the place because of snowmelt and rain which impacts the overall volume, runoff and temperature, this will cause cloudiness and algal blooms

[@jaylopez5740]

I loved this video!

[@muhammedjadeer4207]

Great video

[@noface6538]

Nice stuff. I built a pond 1 with just cheap garden liner n made like 500gallon pond tht has algae init. N have to clean it out all the time. I'll soon buy a proper liner tho. Cheers for the info.

[@NevergiveuponAmerica]

Loved your video! I have a 2acre pond and the water is brown . What do you Recommend to clear it up?

[@chriswilson5571]

🤯 Wow. Great info

[@malcolmharper9686]

Hey ed, yes I did enjoy it all of it

[@TheMackEvil]

I love aquascape 🥰

[@cjmiro90277]

I really appreciated this video, it's helped me understand my in home aquariums a little better. I don't quite dislike algae as much as I used to 😆

[@edbeaulieu5916]

CJ Miro That’s the idea!

[@karmaline]

Great video, I have a 45 gallon pond and only have algae issues in spring... any thing I can manually add to the pond during these times to prevent or get rid of it? Bleach works great before but now I have fish so can’t use. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[@sengkar555]

he made it so interesting. cheers !

[@edbeaulieu5916]

Klayden Ng Thanks!

[@This_tub]

🤣🤣

[@workplaceshenanigans5933]

That pond system gives me a KOIGASM, for sure! I hope to visit this summer!

[@t.c.baquariumfish3423]

NICE VIDEO 👍

[@BrentLagerman]

impressive pond by the way, do you have a link to your filter/circulation system?

[@cathleenbaldwinmaggi2252]

Love this kind of info! Question, is there also algae growing down in the snorkel of a Wetland system? Seems to me it would need more sun than is available at the bottom of all the rocks and gravel, on the other hand, I would think some would get sucked in through the intake. Just curious.

[@Dontdalla]

Hi, do you think that algae around a raised pond wall helps a litte with heat insulation of the pond?

[@cepontzsons]

Hey @ed beaulieu i had a smoothie once with spirogyra am i going to die?

[@TEAMAquascape]

😂

[@edbeaulieu5916]

C.E. Pontz It’s a superfood! And it’s sustainable!

[@rivercrest-watergardens]

Thank you Sir!!! Awesome information!!!!

[@edbeaulieu5916]

Rivercrest - Landscapes Hardscapes & Water Features My pleasure!

[@mikeparker826]

@@edbeaulieu5916 Hey Ed, could you at some point in time do an educational video on how to settle plants in an aquqscape ecosystem pond? Leave the plants in their soil, free their roots and put them naked into the gravel, put them with or without their soil into granulate? Difference in settling plants into pond gravel vs. putting them into wetland filter gravel?

[@meadowyck]

Great info on some of the different types of algae. I wish y’all had a filter for smaller ponds as I have a 35 and 100 gallon ponds 😢😢😢😢

[@bosnakedisniksic]

Yeah normal canister filters or sump filters would be your best option with those

[@meadowyck]

bosnakedisniksic Do you know we’re I can find those? TY

[@donniebeck6112]

Have you looked at the Aquascape small filter urn? They are made for the smaller water features such as yours.

[@bosnakedisniksic]

@@meadowyck canister filters you can buy easily on Amazon. Fluval is one of the best brands. Eheim is another good one. Marineland is ok and Sunsun is a Marineland copy that works just as well but is cheaper. Sump filters can be bought but it is cheaper to make them and it isn't too difficult to do so. Just google it or watch diy youtube videos.

[@amarjeetgarewal4086]

Thanks for video. I live in San Francisco Bay area. I have 500 Gallon round Water pond filled with 1.5 inch of stones. (Pond Radius 60 Inches, Water Depth 10 Inches) I have installed 4 Feet high fountain and circulate water with pump in fountain from 8.00 AM to 10.00 PM. Birds come and drink water from the top of the fountain. Currently I use Fountec but not happy with algae control. Algae color is light brown. In Video you mentioned aquascape automatic dosing system for fountains. Will it be safe for the birds? If not, please suggest solution. Thanks in advance for your help.

[@longtailsgal6119]

In San Diego, the regional board has forbidden the cleaning of boat hulls in some portions of San Diego Bay.ur due to too much copper in the water for antifouling paint. How do your ion generators impact water quality in terms of copper?

[@johnhildebrand8740]

Thanks Ed! Two questions. 1 - I am building a new pond that is about 12,000 gal. With a wetland and neg edge. How much of an annual water change would you recommend I do as a percentage of the total water volume? 2 - does the copper from the Iongen system kill invertebrates in the pond like dragonfly larvae? I know the instructions on any copper additive for a fish tank says get all the inverts out of the tank before treatment. I would appreciate your comments on this. Happy Thanksgiving! 😊

[@julieenslow5915]

Algae is indeed wonderful, but out of control algae can be destructive. Managing algae is awesome, thank you for the whole video, the information, the enthusiasm, the reminder of how important algae is at times and the permission to blast it when necessary. Great video, learned a lot!

[@prydzen]

algea can actually soffucate the pond. Ocean dead zones are caused by algae overgrowth.

[@julieenslow5915]

@@prydzen That's why they are teaching how to manage algae. If there is no overgrowth, there is no problem.

[@guyanes69]

That’s a beautiful place to work

[@BrentLagerman]

do you use grass carp or just koi?

[@frazicl]

Hi Ed, I’m torn. I built a 90ft long stream that starts from a little waterfall. I feed filtered roof water into the stream. Ive got algae, which I don’t mind but have to clean it out sometimes. Where I’m torn is on how to best clean it when I know the stream has baby neon skimmers and other dragonflies in it. Don’t want to destroy the natural life going on, but need to clean for excess algae sometimes. Thanks for video. I especially love your approach to algae as friend not foe!

[@stephenbrooklyn7945]

Pull it out and place beside the pond any insects will make there way back to the water

[@222mmax]

What are spirulina vs algae vs seaweeds differences?

[@sebastiansr2262]

I want to go work with the team, from Uruguay

[@ericprobinson]

I wish they would make more of the science videos.

[@isiseloise7286]

Could anyone help me with identifying this algae? I live in FL My school has a pond that seems like it hasn’t been cared for in years 10+ Maybe. The pond is about 1 foot deep. I really don’t know because of how much algae there is. The algae fills almost all of the pond. There is also a blue-ish green algae that has bubbles where the waterfall is supposed to be. It is not actively bubbling but it is thick and cover the entire waterfall system. And other thing is that there are small organisms in the algae. If I am cleaning it out should I keep the organisms? I’m not sure exactly what they are I just see small things moving in the water.

[@salemthorup9536]

With natural swimming ponds, can swimmers use sunblock? What if it was a community pool?

[@IGNlTlON]

What about algae blooms in the form of cloudy water?

[@thithien23]

Thank you Ed...very nice pond...did I just see a dead fish @ 5:08 and @ 5:46?LOL

[@aravindssekhar774]

Even I noticed, finally

[@user-bo9wp6en3c]

So if you have a huge pond you swim in how do you keep that stuff out of it?

[@fuqimhigh]

Kennan needs to watch this

[@PullingYourStrings]

If he would get a clear pond, all the turtles would be too easy to see for predators. And turtles like to hide. (wouldn't you?)

[@nietrelevant3338]

Hi ed, wouldn't copper be toxic to invertebrates? or is it released in quantities that are low enough to not be a problem for example shrimp?

[@tinah4717]

I was wondering the same thing. I hope he replies. :)

[@GregWittstockThePondGuy]

If there’s algae to absorb the copper no. Follow the instructions and use the included Copper test kit for excellent results

[@edbeaulieu5916]

nietrelevant The IonGen was specifically designed for minimal dosages, I haven’t seen anything negative effects to the invertebrate populations. As Greg mentioned the copper is quickly absorbed by algae which protect everything

[@Draft_7]

So we just got done building a 1000gal pond with a waterfall and a fountain. The water has turned a really dark green. We added a pump to circulate the water and we have plenty of filter. I was wondering since the pond was so new if the water would get clearer over time? It’s about a month old.

[@GregWittstockThePondGuy]

Draft are you adding bacteria?

[@Draft_7]

Greg Wittstock, The Pond Guy No. I was looking into it but I didn’t know.

[@PullingYourStrings]

@@Draft_7 Bacteria eat the nutrients needed to grow the algea :) Put some plants/substrate in so the good bacteria can cultivate easier. Over time it will get better. Give it a few more weeks with bacteria.

[@bosnakedisniksic]

How can I get involved and learn the craft here in STL? You can only learn so much by watching a screen.

[@TEAMAquascape]

Hi! You can always attend the Aquascape Academy at our HQ in St. Charles, IL to receive hands-on training and industry knowledge from the best in the business. We also have an upcoming regional pond build in Kansas City, MO that's open to everyone. You can register for that here: www.aquascapeinc.com/professionals/products/bb-lawn-care-bap

[@fantail7214]

Was that white fish dead?? 5.46 top right of screen

[@timewiththefather]

Top left 5:46 and yea i think soo but its prolly cuz its cold i doubt they used bleach in there presser washer

[@timewiththefather]

There not moving a lot cuz its cold to save calories and its a shallow pond too so even colder

[@GalacticPokeMaster]

Doesn't pressure washing the rocks kill alot of the beneficial bacteria living in the rocks?

[@jacquelinellewellyn85]

I saw a white dead Coy fish in your video?

[@tomw5824]

Based on your many vlogs, plant growth in the water is key to keeping algae contained. Why don't you have MORE plants in your outside/display pond?

[@deerslayer101]

did.

[@sethhalay4232]

First like

[@jastark22181]

Was that a dead fish at 5:46 on the left??

[@TEAMAquascape]

No fish were harmed during the filming of this vlog. During colder temperatures, koi lie still near the bottom of the pond.

[@jastark22181]

@@TEAMAquascape Oh ok, it just looked like that white one went up to the big fish bowl in the sky lol

[@aravindssekhar774]

It's dead buddy

[@shervinpatron566]

Sir's i've noticed in this video that your koi fishes in your front door pond are all experiencing stress..i think it has something to do with your previous powerwash works been done last episode..

[@visualkeirockstar]

He said the it was cold. Fish are less active when its cold.

[@elsonsti]

5:46 a dead white butterfly koi

[@jerricroft937]

Does this run all winter? Yes? I saw where fish don't like super cooled water in winter, on several videos. I guess mountain stream trout defy the experts

[@TEAMAquascape]

Hi Jerri - Yes, it runs all winter long. The fish can withstand the cold temperatures and become dormant in the winter. They fare well as long as there is a hole in the ice to ensure a proper gas exchange.

[@jerricroft937]

@@TEAMAquascape thanks!!!

[@0123456mc]

WHAT ABOUT PONDS WITH ALGAE GROWTH AND THE WATER IS DARK GREEN TO A POINT YOU CAN'T SEE THE FISH?????

[@TEAMAquascape]

0123456mc you Ecosystem is out of balance

[@colleenheitzler8670]

I ❤️ algae....now!

[@jodirichardson2820]

Why don't you put more plants in your falls to take the place of algae.they are the best filter you can buy

[@ts31966]

Chemicals, that is the way to go. Why control algae in a natural way.

[@37gns37]

Kenan needs help with his algae bad !

[@GregWittstockThePondGuy]

Kenzie's Krazy his Auto Doser wasn’t connected

[@workplaceshenanigans5933]

If I was rich, I would be SO broke. #PondGoals

[@wickedcityracer]

lame, years of fighting intense algae ..... the whole time a strong uv light is all it took to solve my problem.

[@peppercow4755]

i wish i could just have the nice algae, but i get pea soup instead :/