FAQ
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Billings, Red Lodge, Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, Big Sky , Butte, Dillion, Alder, Sheridan, Missoula, Hamilton, Big Fork, Whitefish
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The best way to control algae is to prevent it with appropriate application of beneficial bacteria, aeration and a balance of aquatic plants. However, sometimes algaecides are necessary and Mountain Pond’s staff can help you select safe and effective products.
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Phosphorus and Nitrogen are important nutrients for plant and human growth. Unfortunately, modern life has created situations where too much of these nutrients flow into water sources causing issues with algae and weed growth. Nitrogen and Phosphorus come into water from organic materials such as: leaves, twigs, grass clippings, fertilizer runoff, animal waste and even septic system leakage.
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There are a few ways to manage nutrient levels in your pond. Providing a buffer zone around your pond where you do not apply fertilizer, raking dead vegetation before it decomposes into the water, adding natural products such as beneficial bacteria, aerating to increase oxygen in circulation, and adding a phosphate binder are all great ways to make your pond healthier.
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Algae is a common nuisance to pond owners. Sunshine, warm temperatures, reduced oxygen levels and an abundance of nutrients nurture the tiny organisms and in no time they may take over your pond. Algae is a simple organism without a root system.
There are 3 types to be aware of:
Planktonic Algae: Floating microscopic plants that are suspended in the water column and quickly alter the water to different shades of green, blue-green and brown. Commonly referred to as “pea soup”. Planktonic algae can shade the pond’s bottom, preventing subsurface nuisance plant growth, but it can also cause oxygen depletion, foul odor and scary looking water.
Filamentous Algae: Long threads that grow from the bottom up and form mats on the surface of the water. Often referred to as “pond scum” or “string algae” it can easily cover the entire pond if left unchecked.
Chara: This form of algae looks more like a plant than an algae. It is characterised by its mucky odor when crushed and its gritty texture due to calcium deposits on its branches. Chara is a desirable organism in trout ponds as it tends to carpet the bottom providing filtration and habitat for insects.
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Aeration systems are almost always a good idea for any pond. Aeration circulates the entire pond's water column, forcing cool, oxygen-deprived water up from the depths. The water bubbles break the surface to release trapped toxic gases, absorb fresh oxygen, and diffuse back into the pond. This circulation and gas exchange cycle helps beneficial aerobic bacteria digest muck and increases the overall dissolved oxygen in the pond.Without proper aeration, ponds suffer from low oxygen, turbidity, muck, and a buildup of toxins that can kill fish.
