Bacteria and Algaecide at the Same Time??
Consistent Water Treatments Matter! Have you heard over and over that you need to put Beneficial Bacteria into the pond? You do! But – should you be using bacteria and algaecide at the same time?
Bacteria and Algaecide at the Same Time??
When there is a man made body of water (your pond) nature sees it as an opportunity to create an ecosystem, but just because it’s an ecosystem doesn’t mean that we (humans) will like it!
Nutrients in the water bring on algae. Beneficial bacteria helps breakdown nutrients that would otherwise feed algae.
How often and what kind
It needs to be added weekly. There are lots of brands available. I like the dry granular type rather than the liquid but there is nothing wrong with the liquid. It’s just easier to spill.
There are many kinds of pond beneficial bacteria out there.
Aquascape bacteria, Webb’s Water Garden and Microbe lift are all good choices.
Many people start out the season strong, putting in bacteria every week, only to falter and accidentally skip a whole month. I am sympathetic! If you want a good solution you can put in an Aquascape “Doser”. It’s a small piece of equipment that doses your pond with bacteria every day in small amounts. If you have a small pond you would only have to refill it 2 or 3 times in the summer. It really helps the pond stay nice looking.
Read more about Beneficial Bacteria.
This is a photo of the Aquascape doser. You can either dig it down into the dirt next to the skimmer or just set it under a bush! If you use this, make sure the hose going from this, into your skimmer is not pinched. And make sure the end of it is near or barely above the water line. If the hose is put really deep into the skimmer the pump may have trouble pushing it out. It is a small pump so if is is 2 feet down covered in water, it has to work harder.
The Doser control panel goes inside the lid, which is really nice because it is protected from UV rays. Read the directions on the box so that is is being dosed the right amount for your size pond.
What about algaecide?
You know, when I visit ponds, more often than not people show me what they’ve been using in their water and don’t realize that some of it is algaecide.
The issue with algaecide (Algaway, Ecoblast etc) is that it kills bacteria! So every time you use it you are killing the good bacteria you’ve been adding. If you just can’t manage not to use it, be sure to add bacteria in 3 days later NOT at the same time.
Now- just to be very clear here, if you have been using it and your whole pond is doing beautifully with no issues, please do not change what is working just because of me. As the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
Barely Straw?
Barley Straw is a great way to go!
When it is placed in the water with part of it in the air, it can decompose. As it does it releases enzymes that break down nutrients in the water – this helping to starve algae out! A barely straw bale or 2 can be used all season, you won’t need new ones until the following season. It consumes different nutrients than bacteria does. I would use it in conjunction with bacteria, not in place of it.
Remember, Algaecide will kill the living enzymes of barley straw!
These last all season. They work best when placed in the water, but floating where air can reach them. They are smaller than a loaf of bread!
Kristi's Tips
Make sure your bacteria is not stored in a garden box or shed where it will heat up. High heat (95 degrees?) will kill it. Keep it in a cool and dry place.
Don’t store bacteria over the winter where it will freeze. This will also kill it. Remember that bacteria is ALIVE!
Don’t just throw it in without considering how many gallons are in your pond. Using too much doesn’t help. Sometimes people put in bacteria once or twice and then declare it doesn’t work. That would be like eating lunch once on Monday and once on Friday and then declaring that it doesn’t work because you have mostly been hungry.
* This blog was NOT written by AI. This was written by me. I am not a professional writer, I am a pond person. Therefore, if you see a typo, please forgive me!
*No koi were harmed in the making of this content.