Severe Non-ending String Algae Problem

by Aysim Wisco
(Greensboro, NC, USA)

Everytime it rains water is running off into the pond which is only 10 months old. We have had string algae problems real bad ever since the pond was built and nothing we try helps for after each rain it gets worse! We have complained and called the owner of the company who suggested where and how to build the pond & who built it and per him the water is running off into the pond (as if we did not realize!) and causing this. He suggested that we instal French Drain system to keep the water from running into the pond. Plus he wants them to come back and take he koi out, drain and clean the water again (they did it right before Christmas). Our question is should he take all this into consideration befor building the pond? The land is a bit slant and the pond is lower. We had no knowledge of ponds at the beginning and trusted his expertise since he is the most reputable one in the city. This should be his responsibility to correct (we think). We wanted a pondless water feaure which would have cost us no more than $2500 and after he talked us into having a large pond with a bog & stream ( he told us it would be hardly any maintenance except for pond balance) we ended up spending over $11000. Please advice if he should take care of this since it was his suggestion to build the pond where it is now. We thank you for your time and all the wonderful knowledge we have learned from you and your publishing.

Best Regards,

Aysim


Doug says that string algae is one of those pond problems that's a pain in the anatomy.

Here are two links to pages on algae control you might find interesting and useful

String algae

Main Algae Control Page

There are also bio-controls that are claimed to work on string algae now but I have no experience with them.

Cleaning out the pond isn't going to remove the cause of the algae - it's there and you have it.

You can chemical it out but I'd recommend you read both pages on algae control. Modify your fish-feeding practices (let them eat most of the algae) if you're feeding as too much food is a prime cause of water issues in ponds.

The contractor isn't the cause of this problem - it's not his responsibility to fix something like this. It's a management issue.