Eutrophication and Algae Blooms Do you know? Algae cannot live in highly oxygenated water! GreenClean kills algae with oxygen! Aerators infuse oxygen into your pond. If you want to be the master of your pond and control algae you need GreenClean and an Aerator. -
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Ecological Laboratories has teamed with GREENCLEAN® to give you the MEAN GREEN ALGAE TEAM® 2 great products in 1 handy package!
Get tough on algae with Ecological Laboratories’ MEAN GREEN ALGAE TEAM™ two-step program, comprised of our MICROBE-LIFT/PL—the #1 selling bacterial pond additive on the market—with GREENCLEAN®, an EPA Registered granular algaecide!
GREENCLEAN is great for killing the algae. Apply it and watch most filamentous or string algae die before your eyes! Three days after its usage, apply MICROBE-LIFT/PL to make the dead algae completely disappear by degrading it to carbon dioxide and water!
In addition, MICROBE-LIFT/PL will seed your filter; help break down other organic sediments on the bottom of your pond; keep the water crystal clear; and help establish and maintain efficient nitrification.
Eutrophication is caused by the increase of chemical nutrients, typically compounds containing nitrogen or phosphorus, in an ecosystem. It may occur on land or in water. Nitrogen is not readily available in soil because N2, a gaseous form of nitrogen, is very stable and unavailable directly to higher plants. Terrestrial ecosystems rely on microbial nitrogen fixation to convert N2 into other physical forms (such as nitrates). However, there is a limit to how much nitrogen can be utilized. Ecosystems receiving more nitrogen than the plants require are called nitrogen-saturated.
Algal Blooms - When an ecosystem experiences an increase in nutrients, primary producers reap the benefits first. In aquatic ecosystems, species such as algae experience a population increase (called an algal bloom). Algal blooms limit the sunlight available to bottom-dwelling organisms and cause wide swings in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. Oxygen is required by all respiring plants and animals and it is replenished in daylight by photosynthesizing plants and algae. Under eutrophic conditions, dissolved oxygen greatly increases during the day, but is greatly reduced after dark by the respiring algae and by microorganisms that feed on the increasing mass of dead algae. When dissolved oxygen levels decline to hypoxic levels, fish and other marine animals suffocate.
Toxicity of Algae Blooms - Some algal blooms called "harmful algal blooms," are toxic to plants, animals and humans. In extreme cases, anaerobic conditions ensue; promoting growth of bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum that produces toxins and the deadly botulism bacteria. Zones in natural bodies of water as a result of algae depleting the oxygen content of water are known as “dead zones.”
Algae, excessive aquatic plants, cloudy or murky water, odors and even lethargic fish are all problems that pond owners face, but what causes these problems? You have an ecosystem that is out of balance. This unequal balance is generally caused by too many available nutrients in the water and low oxygen content. Nutrients come from a variety of organic matter that is commonly found in ponds. Dead leaves, grass clippings, fish food, fish waste, dead algae and aquatic plants, fertilizer run-off and all sorts of other organic materials are all culprits.
The organic waste releases nutrients that are used by aquatic plants like algae, hydrilla, duckweed and other aquatic nuisance plants to grow and thrive. When excessive levels of nutrients are present these plants can grow fast and quickly take over a pond.
Why pond aeration is important!
Normally a pond with a sufficient dissolved oxygen level will be able to break down the organic matter before it can be utilized by pond plants, however, ponds with lower oxygen levels will be slower to react and the organic matter will build. Eventually a situation will occur in which the break down of the waste will put a such a strain on the ponds oxygen level that the marine life, like fish, will become ill due to the lack of dissolved oxygen available to them. In extreme cases there can be such low oxygen levels that fish kills occur. Outbreaks of algae can have the same effect. When algae outbreaks get severe they rob your pond of available oxygen! With a pond aerator or diffuser the upward flow of bubbles causes turnover in your pond and increases oxygen. Check out our Pond Aerators
Algae steals the oxygen from your pond water. During daylight hours, algae consume carbon dioxide from the water and release oxygen, but when night falls, this process is reversed and the algae begin utilizing the ponds oxygen to survive. So when there is a large algae population, oxygen levels can be significantly reduced in the over night hours leading to increased algae growth during the day.
Algae Stinks Another byproduct of the cycle of poor organic material breakdown is the increased presence of odors. Material that is slow to breakdown can become anaerobic and emit pungent and noxious gases like ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. Again, under normal conditions where a pond has a healthy oxygen level, the matter is digested aerobically and no odor is produced, but when there is not enough oxygen to do the job, anaerobic microbes begin digesting the waste, creating the odors.
Bacteria is Beneficial - You need a beehive of active bacteria in your pond. The introduction of aerobic bacteria (microorganisms) can be a welcome addition to most any pond environment. Aerobic bacteria aid in the ponds ability to efficiently remove organic matter and control the nutrient load. The bacteria also improve the pond's dissolved oxygen level, making it more effective at organic matter breakdown and odor reduction.
Aerobic bacteria are also compatible with most non-chemical pond treatments, which make it an easy addition to a pond maintenance program. To make an analogy, aerobic bacteria are to ponds, what fertilizers are to lawns. Fertilizers added to a lawn are intended to promote a healthy soil and enhance the color and thickness of the grass.
A healthier grass and soil will resist disease and weeds. Aerobic bacteria do the same for ponds. They create an environment that is healthier and less conducive to normal pond problems.
Make no mistake, a harmonious balance between nutrients and oxygen is not the end-all be-all solution to all pond problems. Certainly there are diseases and other ailments that are started by other reasons, but having a healthy, stable pond environment goes a long way in preventing pond problems.
What about U.V. Lamps to kill algae? Well they will sure kill any filamentous algae that pass through them, but they won't kill string algae because it is attached to the rocks and not water borne and won't pass in front of the light. But if you use GreenClean you will never have algae to begin with. If you have expensive Koi there is an upside to a U.V. lamp in that it kills bacteria that may infect Koi. However U.V. lamps are expensive to buy, cost money to run 24/7 and the bulbs need to be replaced at least yearly as they get weak and lose the ability to sterilize the organic material that passes through the light.
Assumptions:
You have a clean pond skimmer or bottom drain
Your water filter pads or filter brushes are clean
You are running the suggested level of salt in your pond water which is 1.8 pounds of dissolved salt for each 100 gallons of water. Salt is essential for fish health. Koi and goldfish need salt to control their electrolyte balance. Salt also enhances the natural slime coating on Koi which fights off fungus and disease. Salt in the water also kills most parasitic infestations and works to keep algae from reproducing. Buy a salinity meter and use it.
You have a water pump that is pumping the needed volume of water per hour for the size of your pond. The suggested water turnover rate is 1.5 times per hour. If your pond volume is 1,000 gallons your water pump should be rated at 1,500 GPH or better.
You don't have too many fish. Seriously, people overstock their home ponds and watergardens to the point of insanity. The average home pond should only have 5 to 10 Koi. If you have more than that just pick your favorites and get rid of the rest. The extra "fish load" from having too many Koi will drive up the waste factor and your nitrates will shoot through the roof. Mother nature produces algae to try and eat up the extra nitrates.
Not sure if the above items are OK? Please use our contact form
Action: Add GreenClean once a week per directions to "Never have this problem again" and your pond or watergarden will be sparkling clean forever. Your first application of GreenClean can turn your pond water black. The water will turn black if there is a lot of pollen in your water. Have patience and let GreenClean do its job. Do partial water changes every day and soon your water will be crystal clear. As soon as you add the GreenClean to your water you will see algae die and float up and the water change color. Make sure to clean your filter pads every day for a few days to get rid of the gunk.
GreenClean Granular Algaecide works on contact to control algae in water gardens, ornamental ponds, fountains, and other water features. Through its patented formula, GreenClean immediately begins fighting algae blooms, releasing vital oxygen into the water body as it biodegrades. GreenClean also quickly eliminates algae on a wide variety of surfaces such as birdbaths, statues, and walkways.
GreenClean comes ready to use – Homeowners can enjoy their water features without all the guesswork or complicated directions. And the best part is, GreenClean begins working within 60 seconds of application.
Benefits include: Can Be Applied in Water Containing Live Fish and Plants Alternative to Copper-Based Products EPA Registered Available in 2, 8, 20, and 50 lb Containers
One thing to note before you use GreenClean: The first treatment dose will turn your pond water murky for a couple of days from dead algae. Why? GreenClean kills algae instantly and all the dead algae needs to decompose. Future weekly or monthly maintenance doses will not leave the water a big mess.
EPA Approved! Never Have Algae Problems Again! - Guaranteed GreenClean is safe for all plants and animals in your pond.
GreenClean Pro! Concentrated for Less Weight and Easier Storage Twice the Active Ingredient - Big Savings $$$
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* Restricted Pond Plants: Some states have restrictions or bans on pond plants. Contact your local government for a list of restricted plants. The buyer needs to be aware of any regulations on plants that may be restricted.
** Pond Plants grow differently depending on where you live: If you took pond plants of the same species and planted them in different climates each plant would grow differently. This is Mother Nature at work. We guarantee all of our plants will arrive alive and healthy. We cannot guarantee that your specific location will support long term growth. Over time and experience you will find which pond plants thrive in your USDA Zone
*** We reserve the right to substitute with like plants of equal or greater value unless you specifically request otherwise in the remarks section of your order you submit. This happens almost never though, and if it does happen it is usually in regard to floating and submerged oxygenation plants.
