All about algae blooms and blanket weed and why it forms
Introduction
Algae are primitive aquatic plants which are different from other plants because they don't have any stems, nor leaves nor roots. Algae have an important role to play in the overall food chain because they convert the solar energy into energy forms that can be used as a food source for other aquatic life. Algae also help to increase dissolved oxygen in water during daylight hours but an over-abundance of algae blooms can be a serious problem at night when they remove oxygen from the pond water. Ammonia is more poisonous at higher pH levels (especially around pH=9). Algae grow in both fresh and salt water systems.
It is estimated that there are more than 20,000 different named species of green algae.
Algae occur in three different forms called planktonic, filamentous and macrophytic.
Planktonic Algae Forms
These are single-celled microscopic plants. They float freely in pond water and are very abundant. Planktonic algae cause pond water to go green (algae blooms) and murky as the algae bloom. Sometimes the colour of the pond water can be turned into other yellowish, brown or reddish shades. Types of planktonic algae cyanobacteria (the blue green algae, eg Gloeocapsa, Synechococcus, Microcytis) or one of several species of green algae genera (eg Euglena, Scenedesmus, Chlamydomonas)
Filamentous Algae Forms
These algae form as thread-like structures. The can float or they can become attached to submerged items such as the pond walls or aquatic plants, planting baskets, pump bodies and so on. The description blanket weed (blanketweed) is used to describe some of these filamentous algae. They also include genera of cyanobacteria (eg Nostoc, Anabaena)
Macrophytic Algae Forms
This 3rd category of algae look like true plants. They appear to have stems and leaves. They also attach themselves to the bottom of the pond and items placed in the pond. The genus Chara is a typical macrophytic algae or algal plant. High levels of calcium carbonate or bicarbonate in pond water favour thsi type. Precipitated calcium on the surface of the plants make them feel rough to the touch and is why they are called "sonewort.
Blanket Weed and other Filamentous Algae
Cladophora glomerata (Blanket weed). The species of filamentous or string algae that causes the most concern in fresh water systems everywhere is Cladophora glomerata. This is called blanket weed (blanketweed or string algae). There are over 150 different species of cladophora so lots of different blanket weeds.
Blanket weed (blanketweed) can grow at unbelievable rates when the conditions in the pond are matching the requirements of the algae such as pond water with very high light levels and with high levels of nutrients. In cases like this blanket weed can grow at more than 2 metres per day (6 feet per day!!!!)
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Spirogyra and other Filamentous Algae
Other filamentous algae, also referred to as blanketweed or blanket weed, that cause problems in koi or goldfish ponds are species of Spirogyra, Rhizoclonium and Enteromorpha. There are more than 400 different species of the genus Spirogyra. This species tends to show in ponds as a tangled pond scum also called water silk, silk weed and mermaid tresses. On sunny days when photosynthesis is progressing rapidly , the matted clumps of blanket weed of spirogyra filaments will float on the surface of the pond water. Tiny bubbles of oxygen arising from photosynthesis attached to the plant creates this floating ability. When the sun dies down then the matted clumps sink again as oxygen production stops or slows down. Carbon dioxide is produced in dark conditions and oxygen is absorbed by the algae. Where there lots of thick floating algal mats present, large fluctuations in the dissolved carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the water can occur. This can lead to rapid changes in the pH of the water that in turn can cause stress (from increased ammonia toxicity at higher pH levels) and even death.
Enteromorpha intestinalis is a form of blanket weed that grows in ponds. It is like a hollow tube in form and grows up to about 40cm (1.2 feet). There more than 50 different species of the genus Enteromorpha and more than 20 species of the filamentous genus Rhizoclonium.
Control of Pond Algae
The presence of algae in ponds does not always represent a problem for the fish but can under the right conditions so algae should always be removed. Planktonic algae can be controlled in garden ponds by installing an ultra violet light (UVC or UV light). The UVC is effective in agglomerating the single celled algae into clumps. These clumps of algae can be removed in the physical filter attached to the pond. Algae as living organisms are far too small to be removed in a conventional pond bio filter. Since filamentous or macrophytic algae do not get exposed to ultra violet light they are not effected by UVC units. Other methods have to be used.
These methods include the use of chemicals (algicides, agricides typically) and microbial products like Viresco. Many pond keepers don't like to use chemical methods. Viresco microbial products will reduce and remove the nutrients, notably nitrate and phosphate, on which all algae feed. This means all sorts of algae ... planktonic, filamentous and macrophytic algae perish from starvation! Contact Viresco directly to order using phone fax email or buy online
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What's the solution, how much and where can I buy it now?
Viresco product more details and pack sizes ... shows pictures & details on labels
How Viresco products work in ponds of all sizes
Bringing Viresco back to life after it arrives in the post
The Nitrification Cycle ... ammonia to nitrite to nitrate and when anaerobic to nitrogen
Organic waste treatment in ponds and how Viresco helps solve the ulcer problem too
Independent test results and performance of Viresco. Test 1
Independent test results and performance of Viresco. Test 2
Testimonials from very satisfied users
Page showing links to all articles on the website
Interview with John McLauchlan the inventor of Viresco
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