I have had a pond for 20 years, it's 50 feet by 150 feet and an average of 12 feet deep. We have it stocked with koi fish and we do have 2 air stones plus I dye it. The problem I'm having is that it's very cloudy and I have a brown film on the surface. When it rains the film goes away but does return. The water tests come back all where they should be but it's never looked like this, any ideas what I can do to clear it up.
It could be a form of algae near the surface...you might have some suspended stuff in the water too...just particulates that won't settle out. You could try a couple things. If you haven't tried a beneficial microbe product that may help clean some of this up. Something like our Biosphere Pro, in the 1/2 to 1 acre size...more is a bit better to start with and try treating for two months back to back. This can help if it's an algae that's popping up. For suspended stuff, look for what's called a flocculent. We have a pond clarifier liquid on our site which is used for that. As well you could consider more of a custom floc from someplace like siltstop.com
In our evaluation of using ultrasound to control algae blooms, the number we're looking for is less than 200 ppb, or 0.2 ppm. Above this some algae can grow quite rapidly making it hard for the technology to keep up. For general algae issues, the numbers vary a bit by source but 0.08 to 0.10 will kick off some periodic blooms. I think the number could be a bit lower to see some algae...but phosphorus levels are usually the limiting factor of just how strong the bloom might be...higher phosphorus = larger and more persistent algae blooms.
I need a lot of help. Information is the only way to solve my problems. After 20 years of peace with my Koi pond we had a bank cave way into are pond, sadly we lost our biggest Koi to predators. Raccoons liked the gentle bank, cold fish and shallow water.
Hi George...I'll be right up front with you...we don't work with smaller ponds much anymore...that said though, I think you have probably answered your own question. If you had good success over the years, keeping predators at bay...and it sounds like you did...you'll want to rebuild that bank...get more immediate depth to hinder the waders from getting in there so easily. If the pond has shallowed out, look to dredge it or clean out some of the areas that need it to restore depth again. Depth may not solve all your problems but it is certainly the best place to start in my opinion. Thank you again for your question and I hope in some way my answer is helpful!
I have had a pond for 20 years, it's 50 feet by 150 feet and an average of 12 feet deep. We have it stocked with koi fish and we do have 2 air stones plus I dye it. The problem I'm having is that it's very cloudy and I have a brown film on the surface. When it rains the film goes away but does return. The water tests come back all where they should be but it's never looked like this, any ideas what I can do to clear it up.
It could be a form of algae near the surface...you might have some suspended stuff in the water too...just particulates that won't settle out. You could try a couple things. If you haven't tried a beneficial microbe product that may help clean some of this up. Something like our Biosphere Pro, in the 1/2 to 1 acre size...more is a bit better to start with and try treating for two months back to back. This can help if it's an algae that's popping up. For suspended stuff, look for what's called a flocculent. We have a pond clarifier liquid on our site which is used for that. As well you could consider more of a custom floc from someplace like siltstop.com
What is considered a high phosphorus level for a pond?
In our evaluation of using ultrasound to control algae blooms, the number we're looking for is less than 200 ppb, or 0.2 ppm. Above this some algae can grow quite rapidly making it hard for the technology to keep up. For general algae issues, the numbers vary a bit by source but 0.08 to 0.10 will kick off some periodic blooms. I think the number could be a bit lower to see some algae...but phosphorus levels are usually the limiting factor of just how strong the bloom might be...higher phosphorus = larger and more persistent algae blooms.
Our neighbor treats his lawn which runs off into our pond! I do not treat our lawn for that very reason!
You'd be surprised how often I hear this...sometimes its tough to deal with the neighbors!
Great information!
Thank you!
I need a lot of help. Information is the only way to solve my problems. After 20 years of peace with my Koi pond we had a bank cave way into are pond, sadly we lost our biggest Koi to predators. Raccoons liked the gentle bank, cold fish and shallow water.
Hi George...I'll be right up front with you...we don't work with smaller ponds much anymore...that said though, I think you have probably answered your own question. If you had good success over the years, keeping predators at bay...and it sounds like you did...you'll want to rebuild that bank...get more immediate depth to hinder the waders from getting in there so easily. If the pond has shallowed out, look to dredge it or clean out some of the areas that need it to restore depth again. Depth may not solve all your problems but it is certainly the best place to start in my opinion. Thank you again for your question and I hope in some way my answer is helpful!
@@klmponds Thank you.
Good info, thanks Mark!
Thank you!