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| I've have a small pond/waterfall for about 4 years now. The main pond is about 3x4 feet and about 30 inches deep at the deeper end, and only about 8 inches deep at the base of a waterfall and my best guess is that is holds about 200 gallons fo water. The pond sits in direct sunlight all day without any shade. The water from the waterfall flows across rock that is also in full sun.
I've had plants and fish but despite my best attempts to use the right treatments I lost everything last year to the algea. My guess is the water temperature is just too warm. I lose about 2 inches of water everyday to evaporation so I have a hose on a timer add water every night to keep the water levels up to the filter. My only real goals for the pond are to see the running water and hear the water fall as it covers some nearby traffic noises while we are outside. The plants an fish are just too much work right now. Can I chlorinate the pond like a swimming pool to keep the water clean at this point? Will this damage the filter or liner in any way? The liner is the thick rubber fabric laid out over the ground and held in place by large rocks. Thanks for your help. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by pondbucket 5, KS (My Page) on Fri, May 6, 11 at 11:55
| You could. But there is something really artificial about this. You didn't mention what kind of filter it is. I think your black EPDM liner will eventually be permanently stained from the chemicals you add. There are protectorants, cleaners, or repellants (all chemicals) that could be applied to the liner beforehand that might slow the degradation of the liner... many are formulated for the roofing and/or RV industry -- RVs sometimes have white EPDM roofs -- but I really have no experience with any of them. |
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- Posted by sleeplessinftwayne z4-5 IND (My Page) on Fri, May 6, 11 at 15:19
| It will definitely hurt your filtration since it will kill all the microbes that work to keep the water clean. You should try to develop some sort of shade to reduce the algae growth. A UV light would do wonders. |
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| I was wondering the same thing except i was considering adding an algaecide. Can't remember if the pool stuff i have has a warning about being harmful to fish or not, and i'll check later. ANyone with thoughts on algaecides? WIll it harm the water lilies? Fish? Any safe ones to use if pool ones aren't? thanks! |
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- Posted by buyorsell888 Zone 8 Portland OR (My Page) on Fri, May 6, 11 at 20:53
| All algaecides have the potential to harm your plants and your fish especially if directions are not followed exactly. You must know how many gallons of water you have and you must have proper aeration. Every year we read posts by people who've killed their fish with them so think long and hard before using one. Shade and patience will usually do the trick safely. |
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| My pond is about the same size as yours. The worst loss I have ever seen was 2 inches a week when I had the occasional drop fall out of the pond off the back of a spitting statue. 2 inches of evaporation from 12 square feet seems excessive. I would suspect a hole, seepage from the waterfall, even water splashing drop by drop. Also you should treat any water you add if you are keeping fish. The best defense against algae is other plants, floating plants are best, I use water lettuce. It will spread to cover the surface and out-compete the algae. I also have a UV light for early spring while the lettuce is still on the dormant side. |
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- Posted by chemgeekponder 7 (My Page) on Tue, May 10, 11 at 5:57
| I have a small pond in my backyard. Last summer, it went nearly dry every day. I couldn't figure out why (no holes,no splashing, no fish in this pond), until one day I heard something in the backyard. Three deer were using this pond as their watering hole. Netting solved the problem (don't worry about the deer- there is a creek very nearby, and a river not much farther way). |
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| As mentioned above, UV light as part of the filtration and plants are your best options for algae control and safest. Another option I use to kill algae is hydrogen peroxide. It is pretty cheap and non toxic. I add it to the water in my fountains to control algae and safe for birds to drink out of the fountain. You can load a spray bottle with the stuff and spray directly on exposed algae. For ponds with fish try and avoid any chemical solution for algae, any swing in the system will create another problem to deal with. |
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