The biggest disappointment from the country pond is connected with the situation when its water becomes green and opaque. But there are a number of ways to clean it naturally without the use of harmful chemicals. You can achieve the presence of blue surface by adding pond plants, populating fish eating algae, and other methods. After using them, you can after a while again enjoy the view of your body of water. Read more about how to clean the pond from green algae, read the material.

Reasons to clean the pond

Reasons to clean the artificial pond are weighty. Besides the fact that it looks unattractive, the algae that captured the surface deprive fish and pond plants of the necessary oxygen and nutrients.

The following groups of algae create pollution:

• cyanoea - blue-green (Cyanophyta);
• brown (Phaeophyceae);
• Bearded cystoseira (Cystoseira barbata).

If you use chemicals to fight them, they can destroy the fish, and the pond will have to be re-populated. For this reason, in addition to chemical, several ways to purify water:

• using plants and fish;
• using filters and a water vacuum cleaner;
• change in illumination;
• introduction of bioadditives.

Under natural conditions, as a result of the life of pond animals, nutrients are produced that are absorbed by plants. If the ecosystem is balanced, there is not much food left for algae growth. Consequently, there are not many algae, and they are not able to make the water cloudy.

Planting special plants

In many reservoirs there is not enough vegetation to process the substances produced by fish. This causes their excessive growth. To avoid the problem, start by increasing the number of plants on the surface of the pond. This is the easiest solution to keep the surface clean and transparent. Plants filter water, provide shelter for fish and snails, and also perform a number of additional functions.

Important! The approximate planting rate is about 30 pieces for every 2 square meters. m of the surface of the pond.

Main cleaning plants:

1. Hornwort (Ceratophyllum) is a rootless aquatic plant. It is one of the best options for filtering. It grows rapidly and has a high metabolic rate, that is, it absorbs a lot of water in itself to ensure development and growth. Once a month he will have to be trimmed. Hornwort does not require thorough maintenance and grows well in the presence of nutrients and sunlight. The reservoir with this plant is distinguished by unusually clear water. In fact, hornwort is a natural filter. It cleans the pond of green algae, the remains of rotting organics and saturates with a large amount of oxygen released.
2. Pistia, or water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is another plant that floats on the surface of a pond. It is able to absorb a lot of waste and substances from the pond. With a high growth rate, the pistol is an excellent solution to cleaning problems, and its roots are a good shelter for fry and small fish.
3. Water hyacinth, or eichhornia (Eichhórnia crássipes) - not only beautiful, but also practical. Because of its appearance, it received the epithet “beautiful”, and because of the speed of reproduction it is called “water plague”. It is able to absorb heavy metals, fish waste, toxic substances. Water hyacinth provides fish with shelter from predators and provides shading on a hot summer afternoon. He loves sunlight and needs nutrients. Aquarists believe that this is one of the most fastidious plants, but not everyone shares this point of view. It just needs to be cut periodically to prevent it from growing too much.
4. Water lilies, or water lilies (Nymphaéa) are the most famous and beautiful aquatic plants. They are able to bloom for many months, which makes the reservoir very attractive. Fish find shade from the sun and protection from predators under their leaves. Lilies are also able to filter water well.

Settling certain fish species in a pond

Under natural conditions, fish absorb some of the algae, thereby maintaining the cleanliness of the reservoir. For this reason, pond fish are considered an environmentally friendly way to remove their excess. Be sure to make sure that you do not overfeed the fish, otherwise the remnants of the food will sink to the bottom and rot, creating an unfavorable environment. In addition, less feed means that the fish will be more willing to eat algae.

Important! Using high-quality fish food will also help prevent algae growth, as food will be completely digested, leaving less unused nutrients.

The main types of fish that can be used for cleaning:

1. Plecostomus (Hypostomus plecostomus) - is attractive not only for its coloration, but also for cleaning even a neglected pond. This species of fish existed in the era of dinosaurs, so it survives under any adverse conditions. Inhabited in the bottom layer, it is able to coexist peacefully with fry and other fish. Plecostomus is able to eat a huge amount of algae, so one fish is enough to clean 3,700 liters of water.
2. Siamese algae eater (Crossocheilus Oblongus) - is considered one of the most popular consumers. He belongs to the Karpov family. Not picky in food and consumes any kind of vegetation, including those from which other species of fish evade. But it has drawbacks - poor compatibility with smaller fish and a mandatory water temperature in the range + 20 ° ... + 26 ° С.
3. Amur loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) - not very attractive and similar to a snake, able to eat a variety of food. Can eat algae, although this is not the main food. Among his strengths is extreme stamina. Loach can live in water with temperatures from + 4 ° C to + 21 ° C.
4. Representatives of the Karpov family (Cyprinidae) - goldfish and koi - omnivorous and able to consume vegetation. However, if there is other feed, they will not eat it.

Light restriction

Algae thrives with an abundance of light and nutrients, so for small ponds it will be correct to control the effects of the sun with the help of trees that can give a shadow. But leaves will fall from them, polluting the pond. For this reason, many owners prefer not to use trees, but aquatic plants that grow on the surface, covering them up to 2/3 of the area.

Supplements

Bioadditives are aimed at reducing the growth of algae with its subsequent cessation. If you treat the reservoir with placing fish or plants, the process will take a couple of months. Bioadditive can significantly accelerate it.

You also need to consider that in cases where mechanical and biological methods of filtering water do not help, you need to carefully study the chemical composition and deal with an overabundance of the substance that ensures the growth of algae.

Important! On the first day after the dietary supplement is added, clouding of the water in the reservoir may occur.

Supplements are available in the form of solutions or tablets. Dissolving in water, they secrete a mixture of beneficial bacteria and enzymes. Designed for the breakdown of fish waste, phosphates, nitrates and other pollutants. One tablet is enough for about 220 liters of water. Validity - about 1 week. When buying, pay attention to how much water the product is designed for and what precautions are indicated by the manufacturer.

The list of biological products includes:

• starting bacteria to start the pond;
• nitrifying bacteria necessary to start the biofilter;
• means for removing bottom sediment;
• preparations for controlling filamentous or blue-green algae;
• mineralizers - means to increase the hardness of water.

The preparations contain bacteria that can destroy hydrogen sulfide, nitrates, ammonia, that is, those substances that algae need for food. Thus, their number is reduced naturally. Water becomes transparent, it reduces the content of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Supplements are safe for fish and aquatic animals.

Chemicals

Often people believe that if the water is clean, then it is suitable for life. But this is not at all true. Biological and chemical changes in it are usually not visible to the naked eye, and water quality can only be determined by analysis.

When the pond is just up and running, it is checked weekly for 6 weeks, regardless of what plants or living things will live in it. Check for the presence of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Often, owners install a biofilter to maintain a normal ecosystem. Accordingly, pond chemistry is a product designed to provide the correct performance for a body of water.

Basics of using pond chemistry:

Cleaning with a water vacuum cleaner

In addition to algae, a problem may also be pollution of the bed of a reservoir. And a water vacuum cleaner is suitable for cleaning it. It works in the same way as usual, but instead of dust it draws water in the bottom layer. The purified liquid goes back to the pond, and the dirt remains inside. Usually it is recommended to drain the water and remove the fish before performing work.

Important! The vacuum cleaner turns off automatically if the collection container is full, so you should monitor its operation.

Vacuum cleaner technique:

1. Put it in the pond. Bring the hose to the place where the purified water should flow. When draining, you need to leave at least 1/3 in the pond so as not to disturb its ecosystem.
2. Connect the nozzle that matches the target. Vacuum cleaners are equipped with several nozzles that allow you to collect particles of different sizes.
3. Connect the power cord to the power source and turn on the machine.
4. Continue to vacuum until you are satisfied with the quality of the cleaning.
5. At the end of the work, fill the pond with water.

A good solution could be a robot vacuum cleaner. He is able to dive to a depth of 5 m, and then slowly and thoroughly clean the bottom along the entire length of the cord, which he can have about 100 m. The robot is controlled using the remote control.

Skimmer cleaning

The filter for cleaning the pond from algae can be made independently. To do this, you will need a blanket made of polyester, batting or other filler. It will become a filter for collecting dirt and algae, which makes the water cloudy. You also need a recirculation pump with a sponge filter inside. It must be removable and washable, as it will clog algae very quickly.

Important! If you have a waterfall installation, it can also be used for cleaning. Install the batting like a small hammock and make sure that all the water passes through it on the way back to the reservoir.

Technique of work:

1. Take a plastic vegetable box or wire basket for waste.
2. Place the pond submersible recirculation pump in a drawer. The hose that is attached to it must be directed out of the box to discharge the outgoing water into the pond or on the bed.
3. The outer side is wrapped with a piece of polyester (only not the bottom, since the box will stand on it).
4. Fasten the material.
5. Immerse the box in the pond and press it with a stone. Turn on the pump and let the filter do its job.
6. You can control the process if you take a photo every half hour, watching how bright the water is. Gradually, the polyester will become dirty, and then the water will stop lightening. This is a signal that it is time to change the material to clean.

It takes about 2 hours to clear a 600-liter, moderately muddy pond. But the process can take longer.

An alternative to the process would be to use a skimmer. To do this, place batting or polyester between the racks and wrap the inlet with it. In this way, any water that goes to the pump located in the skimmer box will be filtered.

Did you know? Pond snails are considered the slowest creatures on the planet: their speed does not exceed 45 m / h.

Now you know several different ways to control algae growth. If you regularly check the condition of the water, then it will be quite simple to destroy the appeared algae. Make sure that you do not overfeed the fish, your filters are in order, and the plants are enough to provide oxygen to the reservoir, and then your ecosystem will be in excellent condition.