About Pond Algae - Food and Drink Article

By:jamie stumble

Some Basic Kinds of Algae

Algae is natural in your pond. And it is beneficial. But to a point. As noted by Kasco Marine, there are several basic kinds. Planktonic algae are essential, single-celled plant forms occurring worldwide. A healthy pond needs this form of algae as a food source. Filamentous algae is typically found at the surface of ponds in "greenish mats." This kind of algae has little if any value to your pond and looks scummy. The third major kind of algae is attached-erect algae. The fourth kind to be mentioned here is blue-green algae, probably the worst when it comes to pond scum.

Costs and Benefits

Algae is beneficial to ponds, as it provides a food source; in fact, pond owners who desire to raise trophy bass sometimes fertilize their ponds to keep planktonic algae production high. But algae poses several problems, too. For one thing, too much of certain kinds of algae is plain ugly. For another, too much algae is unhealthy. Photosynthesis requires sunlight, and algae blocks it. During the photosynthesis process when plants use sunlight and carbon dioxide to produce food, they give off oxygen. Photosynthesis is a good process for your pond. The plants are using carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen which is needed for your fish, the decomposition of organic matter, and other processes within your pond. However, photosynthesis only occurs when there is sunlight. As the sun goes down, plants turn from oxygen-producing organisms to oxygen-consuming organisms. Therefore, the more aquatic plants and algae you have in the pond or body of water, the more oxygen they will give off during the day and the more they will consume during the nighttime hours. As the night goes on, the oxygen levels continue to decrease. The lowest levels of oxygen will be just before sunlight in the morning before the algae and plants start producing oxygen again. If your pond has too much plant life, the oxygen levels can decrease to the point that large fish struggle to live

The Problem of Algae Blooms

An algae bloom is a rapid reproduction and spreading of algae when conditions are right. Algae blooms typically occur during the hot, sunny, calm part of the summer. When an algae bloom occurs, your pond can be covered with algae in a very short period of time. The major problem with an algae bloom is the algae die off. Often even quicker than the bloom itself, the algae die off can create major problems. A die off of an algae bloom can be caused by a cloudy day and lack of sunlight, a cold front, storms, etc.

When the algae bloom dies off, it adds a large amount of dead organic matter to your pond. This organic matter is decomposed by microorganisms at the pond bottom. With the added organic matter load on the pond, the total amount of decomposition occurring in the pond increases and the decomposition process uses up oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide.

This causes two problems. The first is lack of oxygen. When the oxygen in the pond is used to decompose the dead algae, it is not available for fish and other aquatic life. A die off can be so severe that most of the available oxygen in a pond can be used up in the decomposition process and your fish and other aquatic life will start to die off. The larger the organism, the more oxygen it uses. Therefore, your larger fish that have been in your pond for several years will be the first to die when oxygen is taken up.

The second problem with a large die off and increased organic matter is nutrients. When the algae die off and are decomposed the carbon dioxide and nutrients are released back into the pond and is available for the next generation of plant material. The carbon dioxide and nutrients help to begin the cycle all over again.

How to Help Your Pond

There is hope for your pond, though. Aeration can protect your pond and your fish during an algae bloom and die off. Adding an aeration device, such as a Kasco Pond Aerator or other brand of aerating fountain will provide added oxygen to the water and help buffer the effect of an algae die off. When the algae die and are being decomposed, the added oxygen allows the decomposition process to occur properly and also provide oxygen for the fish and other aquatic organisms. By splashing the water in the air, the aeration device is not only adding valuable oxygen, it is also helping to vent gases such as carbon dioxide which is being produced in large amounts from the decomposition process.

Using a pond aerator or aerating fountain will also help prevent an algae bloom in the first place if it is installed before there is a major problem. As discussed above, the added oxygen will help the decomposition process and actually make that process occur quicker. It will also vent the extra carbon dioxide. This means there will be less available for the algae to use, which is one of the key components to blue-green algae problems. Adding an aerator or circulator will also create surface agitation in the pond or body of water. This is beneficial in a few ways. First, it helps eliminate the still stagnant water areas and mimics natural wind. As stated above, algae and algae blooms typically occur in the hot, calm, sunny times of the year. The agitation at the surface that eliminates the stagnant areas decreases the areas algae have available to them to thrive. Just simple movement of the water will help limit the amount of algae present in the pond. Just think, when's the last time you've seen a lake that always has ripples or a river covered with algae? Algae do not like moving water or surface agitation.

Surface agitation is also beneficial because it helps to mix up the algae that is already present within the water column. Algae is not able to sit at the surface of the water and soak up all the sunlight it needs for photosynthesis and it cannot survive without large amounts of sunlight. The agitation also helps to destratify the pond by mixing up the water and limiting the negative effects of turnover. With water that has been thermally destratified, the pond is now more hospitable for desired plants and algae species and creates a better pond ecosystem.

Other Ways to Help Your Pond

There are many other ways to help the ecosystem of your pond, including using herbicides, bacteria and microbes, dyes, ultraviolet sterilizers, barley straw, copper, skimmers, fish, peroxides, and aluminum sulfate, To find out more about algae in detail, we recommend that you read about aerating fountains and algae at Kasco Marine, Inc. If you are looking to purchase a floating fountain or aerator, you might also go to Fountain Mountain.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: algae, pond fountains, aerators, pond aeration

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Mike Guista is president of Fountain Tech and Fountain Mountain, Inc., which sellfountain pumps & pond pumps, as well as fountainsand lights, wholesale to the trade and retail. He has published two books.

Top Food and Drink Articles
1). Convection vs. Conventional Ovens... What's The Difference? By : Debbie Dragon If you are in the market for a new oven and you�ve already begun shopping for one, you�ve probably noticed that there are a few different types. Two of the most popular oven types are conventional and convection, and many newer ovens have the option of cooking food in either fashion depending on the set mode. The difference in these two types of ovens is the way in which the heat in the oven is dispersed during the cooking process.
2). Fish Oil - It�s Health Benefits & Risks By : John H. Rogers As the name implies, fish oil is oil that is removed from the tissues of oily fish and is often recommended as part of a healthy diet program. Many nutritionists recommend that individuals each fish at least once a week, but emphasis must be placed on the importance of avoiding fish that contain certain harmful contaminants. In avoiding predatory fish, such as sharks and others, individuals will prevent the consumption of unhealthy substances which can accumulate due to the fish�s predatory lifestyle.
3). How To Eat Fresh Vegetables � Ideas for Working More Veggies By : Robb Ksiazek Fresh, uncooked veggies are so healthy and it�s important to work them into your meal plan somewhere. The majority of American�s don�t eat enough v
4). Let's NOT Talk Turkey By : Kristin Johnson The carving. The leftovers. The endless stuffing. Actually, you love the stuffing, cranberries and turkey trimmings. However, it's been se
5). Diners - An American Icon By : Barbara Wangelid The definition of a diner is typically a narrow structure resembling a railroad dining car with the interior containing a service counter with stools
6). Honey � Important Health Facts! By : Anita Morris Honey is the most known apicultural product, it is a substance that the bees produce through a complicated process of elaboration, where they absorb the nectar and deposit it in their stomach, then go back to the beehive to deliver it, throwing up repeated times; this way ferments, acid and albumen are added to the nectar. It contains most of the essential mineral elements that our system needs.
7). Homemade Ice Cream - Easier Than You think! By : Scott Byers If you are looking for some great fun and a delicious treat any time of year, you will want to know about making homemade ice cream. This is a fun thing to do alone or with someone else. No matter what you are doing or what the temperature is outside, you will want to have some homemade ice cream for a great snack or treat. You will love making it along with eating it as well.
8). Save Money on Groceries: Part I By : Jon Martin One universal of humanity, no matter who you are or where you come from, you have to eat. Unless you grow your own food, you will have to go to t
9). Advising on the best sourced help concerning bar supplies. By : Tom Advising on the best sourced help concerning bar supplies. When you're after high-class information about bar supplies, it'll be complex unscramb
10). The Best Way to Use Low-Carb Control By : Melissa White The benefits of low-carb dieting are easy to see and make clear why so many are choosing a low-carb way of life. For example, there isn't any coun

New Food and Drink Articles
1). Do Aphrodisiac Foods Exist By : Kadence Buchanan Many of us have heard that sea-food excite the human senses or that walnuts and honey are the best aphrodisiac. But do certain types of food affect the human erotic impulse?
2). Fast Food No Nos By : Della Franklin The pitfalls of eating fast food and some suggestions on how to lessen the damage.
3). Studies That Show The Benefits Of Dark Chocolate On Blood Pressure By : Gregg Hall Good news for dark chocolate lovers. Eating dark chocolate can now help lower blood pressure. A recent study was done by specialists in the US that says, dark chocolate will actually help in lowering your blood pressure.
4). How To Eat Good Quality Food While Traveling By : Gregg Hall When you are traveling whether on the road or airport hopping finding good food to eat at a reasonable price is an important consideration. When you are traveling eating out at fancy restaurants can take you over your budget in a hurry.
5). A Look At Some Of The Most Famous French Chocolate Makers By : Gregg Hall French chocolate is one of the most popular types of confection in the world. It is used in many tasty treats such as chocolate mousse and the ever popular chocolate eclair.
6). The Organic Buffet By : Della Franklin New trend of heating organic foods at a buffet.
7). When Considering To Buy A Gas Grill Keep These Things In Mind By : Gregg Hall Some people still choose to use charcoal grills, but these can be messy to clean and take time to heat up enough to cook on. This is why many people now opt to buy gas grills.
8). The Perfect Gift: Fresh Fruit By : Jessica Deets No matter the occasion and no matter the recipient, fruit baskets are appropriate. Fruit baskets can be anything but ordinary with a little planning.
9). Cooking Tips For Outdoor Chefs By : Bob Alexander Tips on how to light charcoal for barbeque cookouts and live to tell about it! Safety tips for the novice and experienced griller both. Delicious cooking ideas for smoking meats.
10). Fish Oil - It�s Health Benefits & Risks By : John H. Rogers As the name implies, fish oil is oil that is removed from the tissues of oily fish and is often recommended as part of a healthy diet program. Many nutritionists recommend that individuals each fish at least once a week, but emphasis must be placed on the importance of avoiding fish that contain certain harmful contaminants. In avoiding predatory fish, such as sharks and others, individuals will prevent the consumption of unhealthy substances which can accumulate due to the fish�s predatory lifestyle.

� 2006 articles2k.com - Privacy Policy