The presence of algae is usually harmful for almost all the aquatic animals and fish inside the pond and is sometimes life threatening for them. Algae takes the light from the sun and then converts it into energy and grows using it. Oxygen is produced as a by-product in this process. So, in the daytime, the oxygen is produced by the algae but at the night time, the same oxygen is consumed by the algae. The problem arises when the algae starts consuming more oxygen than the amount they produce and this becomes dangerous for the aquatic animals and fish.
Ways to Remove Algae From Pond Without Harming Fish
There are several ways through which algae can be removed from the fish easily but if the pond contains fish inside it, the only methods that do not harm the fish while removing the algae should be considered. The following are some useful ways to remove the algae from the pond keeping it safe for the fish:
Rake out the Algae
Raking out the algae from the pond is considered the easiest way to remove algae from the pond. Raing out is considered the best option if the algae in the pond is matted or in the form of strings or green hair. The raking tool can be used to destroy the algae stuck inside the pond and carry it out safely without harming the fish. The raking tool however should be used carefully as if a fish is swimming near the area where you are using the raking tool, it can harm the fish. This is considered a short-term solution for removing the algae from the pond but it prevents the algae from appearing in the pond for a certain period of time.
Use Bacteria Tablets
It is also possible and safe to use beneficial bacteria tablets in the pond that contain algae. The bacteria take nutrients away from the algae. Most of the bacteria tablets are fish-friendly and do not harm the fish present in the pond. The bacteria tablets are most probably available at pet stores. A bacteria tablet of almost thirty kilograms works efficiently for a thousand gallons of water tank. It is normally recommended to throw a bacteria tablet monthly or twice a month unless the bacteria completely stops developing.
Use a UV Sterilizer
Adjusting ultraviolet light in the form of a bulb can be a great idea to remove the algae from the pond. The UV rays kill the algae and they are mostly harmless for the fish inside the pond. When the algae dies, the pond probably looks brown but this brown color will not stay permanent and the water will become transparent again after a certain period of time. As this treatment is done through light rays, the UV rays are the most suitable to be used in transparent and clear water so that the light travels within the pond efficiently. Moreover, it is recommended to replace the UV bulb with a new one each year because it is more likely not to provide the same results after a certain period of time.
Add H2O2 to the Water
It is also recommended to add a little amount of hydrogen peroxide in the pond to remove the algae from the pond. Hydrogen peroxide or H2O2 destroys and vanishes the algae present in the water and is completely safe for the fish. But must not be used in a larger amount as using the amount more than required can harm the fish. 0.10 liters of H2O2 is safe for fish in hundred gallons of water. Despite the H2O2 being in less quantity, it must be made sure that it is added in the area where there are no fish swimming at that time.
Add Floating Plants to the Pond
Adding floating plants like water lilies is also a good option to reduce or completely remove the algae from the pond. This is also one of the safest methods that does no harm to the fish. The algae will least likely survive in the presence of floating plants. With the right amount of sunlight and due to the water, the floating plants on the surface of the ponds will start growing into beautiful flowers and plants. This will not only make the pond look good but also help clear the water and reduce the amount of algae in the pond.
Avoid Overfeeding
Overfeeding the fish can cause algae in huge amounts. When you throw a lot of food in the pond unnecessarily. When there is a lot of leftover food in the pond and when it decays, it releases nitrates and phosphates that is a major cause of growth of the algae in the pond. It is hence recommended to feed the fish for just a few minutes until the time fish stops eating. Try to feed the fish slowly so that they can catch the maximum amount of the food and the amount of leftover food that stays in the bottom can be minimized.
The Bottom Line
The most useful ways to reduce and ultimately remove the algae from the pond without causing any harm to the fish inside the ponds are limiting the food or trying to minimize the leftover food, raking out the algae manually, throwing beneficial bacteria tablets in the pond, using an ultraviolet sterilizer, adding hydrogen peroxide and placing floating plants on the surface of the pond.
