Q. What is the best way to get rid of green water in the pond other than using a UV light?
San Mateo, California
Q. Yes there are a couple of alternatives to treating green water other than using an ultraviolet light. Water plants are an excellent way to fend off green water. Typically you want to have at least 70% of the water surface covered with plants. This helps prevent the sun from penetrating the water, which then causes green water to form. Plants also help remove excess nutrients in the water, which the green water feeds off of.
Another method of treatment would be barley straw. Barley straw can be used either in its natural straw form or in its already broken down liquid form. The natural chemicals that are released from barley when it decays are a natural preventative for green water. The benefit to its natural straw form is that it lasts longer; however, it may take a few weeks to become effective. Liquid barley is immediately effective, but requires you to retreat every week because there isn’t that constant break down that you find with the straw. I recommend using both in conjunction with each other. This way the liquid gives you the immediate effect that you are looking for while the straw begins to break down. After a couple of weeks using both you can than cease using the liquid and rely solely on the straw for maintenance.
The only other product that does a really good job is Microbial Algae Clean. Microbial Algae Clean is a new product this year that is made by Pond Care. This product is an organic bacterial clarifier that is designed to specifically attack green water. The bacteria found in this product goes after the green water and eats it away.
Brian Beenes
Assistant Garden Center Manager
Sid’s Greenhouse & Garden Center
Palos Hills, IL
Bolingbrook, IL
