I've recently aquired a brown algea problem in my pond. Because of the UV sterilizer the water is crystal clear but theres algea growing on all the surfaces of the pond. I swear its half an inch thick in places. Its clogged up the old pumps and caused their motors to burn up. My dad went and bought a new pump, a much nicer one than the one we had but I'm afraid this one will get ruined to. We never had this problem before but I'm starting to get worried about, new new pump was $140, the old ones were about $110 put together. We tried algeafix for a month and it helped a little but not nearly enough. We've run out of algeafix and since its $14 dollars a bottle and it didn't really help we're not going to get any more of it.

Are there any other products that anyone here could recommend?

First, if you have fish in your pond Algaefix isn't your fix. That stuff takes oxygen out of the water plus causes major problems with your biofilter. I'm wondering that isn't the root of your problem now. With the algaefix things are going haywire. I've never had a brown algae problem so I don't really know. What I do know is if you have a good bio filter and if you use something like microbe lift your pond should do just fine. In fact you should really only need your UV light in the spring. If you've got good balance in your pond the bio filter should be able to keep the pond clear.

So don't buy anymore algaefix it's bad for the fish. Use something that replinishing the good bacteria like microbe lift. If it's all natural it wont be harmful to your pond. NEVER use a chemical in the pond unless the fish are sick.


Scott

We've been using something very similar to microbe lift, it hasn't helped. The problem has actually gotten worse since we started using it. Everyone around me that has ponds has been having this problem this summer. The people that don't have UVs can't even see their fish the water is so bad.

Do you have a skimmer and a prefilter before your pump? If not you may want to consider that. Also you might want to look into building a trickle tower, those are great filters and maintenance free. They keep the water clear, or at least they are supposed to.

Scott

We don't have a a skimmer, I wanted one but my parents didn't have the $ to get one. One might be in the future for mext summer though. We don't have a prefilter for the pump, theres no place to put one on this type of pump . Is a trickle tower something you can build yourself? I've heard a little about them but I don't really know anything about them. I'll have to look into them

"Brown Algae" isnt really algae at all..... its diatoms. Is the pond still in its cycle? What a pain, right? I agree with Scott, something to build the bio-spira up in the pond will help. Ive never used MicrobeLift, but apparently its worth its weight in gold.

Perhaps I should convince my parents to get the microlift instead of the stuff we have now. Perhaps the quality of the stuff we have now just isn't good enough. I can't remember the brand name of the stuff, I'll have to look when I go home tomorrow.

Okay, I went and got some microbe-lift. I won't be able to check on the pond for a couple weeks because I'm back at school but my parents are careing for it and hopefully they'll do everything right

You'll not be disapointed with the microbe lift. As long as they put in the recomended about once a week things will get better. That stuff is really good and well worth it. Depending on the size bottle you got and the size of your pond one bottle should last you awhile. A one gallon jug lasted me about 4 months on my pond which is 4,000 gallons, that's 25 dollars a month.

Scott

you can buy a Siamese Algae Eater which eats all algae even brown algae.

SAE isnt a good solution, they require warm water and you will need lots for a big pond. Does your pond get exposed to direct sunlight? If it does then i recommend a 70% shade cloth to filter out 70% of the sunlight and the UV rays from the sun. Reducing the amount of sun helps alot with the algae. Using a strong UV-C before your actually filtration will also help. A good idea is to remove most of it by net or hand then use the UV-C. I have lots of short string algae on the pond base and wall, its a good filter and food for the fish, and it doesnt worry me, but the Pea Soup I hate! I added a UV-C and water is clear, I got recommended a shade cloth of 70% from fellow koi club members, this reduces algae and overheating in ponds. I got some today and will install during the week.

Mango

Here is a great link that discribes nicely how Rob (Jetman) built his trickle tower. Unfortunately, the pictures don't show up anymore, but the how-to instructions still are pretty okay to get to work.
http://www.kokosgoldfish.invisionzone.com/...showtopic=16878