Starting the dig...
- Thread starter nero6370
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ok, thanks for the plant i.d.; any thoughts on the algae bloom? I know without the u.v., nature's course will eventually clear the water to a point, but by that time I will have the pond close to, if not ready for the fish. I would rather not transfer dark green water to the new pond if I can help it...I noticed some barley pads in the lfs the other day, but did'nt find any info on it's benefits...Could some pads be a help with getting rid of the algae? Thanks again folks. Tom
Barley works, but takes 4-6 weeks to work. I use a product that has several straines of BB and Barley in a powder form. It is activated in a bucket of warm water, then I pour it in the pond. It is only good once the pond water reaches 60 degress and high oxygen levels. The cycle is three doses the first week, then once every 10-14 days there after til the plants and floaters start growing and can out compete the algae.
It may sound a little extreme but the best way to remove algae is to starve it of light, 48 hours should do, I don't know how practical it is for you to do it though. I've had the odd mega bloom in my tanks from time to time and lots of towels over it with the lights off usually does the trick.
On the pond front my dad's pond has had some major problems in the past and obviously the above is not easy to achieve. The last huge problem was about the years ago and as the pond has a waterfall I suspended a large fine filter pad with 2 pieces of wood and placed it below the waterfall and rinsed it off 3 times a day. I was working nights at the time so it was easy for me to do this(the folks were away btw), rinsed at first light when I got back from work, again when I got up and again before I went to work, took about two weeks to clear up. Since then they've got UV on the intake to filter with no problem. Again not sure how practical it is for you but you could suspend something under the return?
Hope it all works out
On the pond front my dad's pond has had some major problems in the past and obviously the above is not easy to achieve. The last huge problem was about the years ago and as the pond has a waterfall I suspended a large fine filter pad with 2 pieces of wood and placed it below the waterfall and rinsed it off 3 times a day. I was working nights at the time so it was easy for me to do this(the folks were away btw), rinsed at first light when I got back from work, again when I got up and again before I went to work, took about two weeks to clear up. Since then they've got UV on the intake to filter with no problem. Again not sure how practical it is for you but you could suspend something under the return?
Hope it all works out
Good feedback; thanks for the ideas. I will try blocking the sunlight with a canopy tent for a couple of days and also the barley powder. I have already put 6 pads in the water; but I was not aware of the time factor for them to be effective. I will also rig a fliter pad under the outlets; I originally had one under the intakes in the sump, but it was clogged within the hour and not practical as I am not home due to work, etc. in order to change it out. I may have to rig a setup that once one pad is clogged the overflow feeds a 2nd pad and so on...
a bit of bad news; I lost one of my plecos today... he was stuck to the intake
I have no idea...I just checked the parameters the day before; everything was o ppm, but the water was alkaline, around 8-even so they are used to slightly alkaline water. 
I have been using Algae fix for the bloom prob, but I don't think that is the cause as I have used it before with no problems. He was well fed, no sucked in stomach; a bit plump as a matter of fact. I am gonna have to find the other plec and see how he is doing...
a bit of bad news; I lost one of my plecos today... he was stuck to the intake
I have no idea...I just checked the parameters the day before; everything was o ppm, but the water was alkaline, around 8-even so they are used to slightly alkaline water. I have been using Algae fix for the bloom prob, but I don't think that is the cause as I have used it before with no problems. He was well fed, no sucked in stomach; a bit plump as a matter of fact. I am gonna have to find the other plec and see how he is doing...nero6370;1834568; said:Good feedback; thanks for the ideas. I will try blocking the sunlight with a canopy tent for a couple of days and also the barley powder. I have already put 6 pads in the water; but I was not aware of the time factor for them to be effective. I will also rig a fliter pad under the outlets; I originally had one under the intakes in the sump, but it was clogged within the hour and not practical as I am not home due to work, etc. in order to change it out. I may have to rig a setup that once one pad is clogged the overflow feeds a 2nd pad and so on...
a bit of bad news; I lost one of my plecos today... he was stuck to the intake
When I was changing the pad suspended under the water fall it was a 72 inch by 36 inch pad doubled over so 36x36 and it would clog in a few hours hence why I cleaned it three times a day, not alway practical for most but it did work. Starving the pond of light should kill it off but it will still need good filtration to get it all out, best of luck.
Shame about the pleco
I found the other pleco; he was dead as well
. I still have no idea why. The goldfish are still alive, so I believe the other fish are okay; I just can't see em due to the water. Well I hung a poly fiber pad under my outlets; hopefully I will see an improvement soon. I also got the canopy up; that should help as well...we'll see...
. I still have no idea why. The goldfish are still alive, so I believe the other fish are okay; I just can't see em due to the water. Well I hung a poly fiber pad under my outlets; hopefully I will see an improvement soon. I also got the canopy up; that should help as well...we'll see...
Sorry about the plecos....
GL on the canopy. I've never been a fan of AlgaeFix for indoor or outdoor use. Maybe a WC this weekend B4 you get another pleco.
GL on the canopy. I've never been a fan of AlgaeFix for indoor or outdoor use. Maybe a WC this weekend B4 you get another pleco.
How Ironic is this, I went round to my folks today as they've been away for a few months and what to I find, a rather poor attempt at recreating what I did nearly ten years ago. It's not an algae bloom just left the pump running too low and the waterfall used to be a lot bigger but my dad get bored easily and changes things but it's not a million miles away from what I did at time:
