Filamentous algae occur naturally in healthy and intact waters. If they spread in large numbers, the water conditions are out of balance. Excessive growth can also indicate incorrect planting.
String algae are best removed manually
How to remove thread algae:
- fishing: is an ecological but time-consuming method
- suction: as an indirect variant for algae control
- bark mulch: worsens growth conditions of filamentous algae
- algae blocker: help with acute algal blooms
fishing
Filamentous algae are considered valuable aquatic plants because they provide a habitat for microorganisms. Tadpoles, newts, beetle and dragonfly larvae or aquatic insects use the plants as hiding places. You should carefully pass a stick through the algae cushions before fishing, so that the animals can escape.
Utensils needed
There are special algae brushes that you can use to easily remove the growth from the garden pond. Landing nets are cheaper alternatives. You can also tie a toilet brush to a long stick and use it to collect the algae. Strip the bulk on the bank and leave the material near the water for a few hours. This is how animals find their way back into the water. Then put the algae residues on the compost.
suction
Too many thread algae in the pond are caused by too many nutrients in the water. Pond sludge vacuums cannot remove the algae themselves. They withdraw fertilizing substances from the pond and thus destroy the growth basis of the plants. The devices work like classic wet vacuum cleaners.
Suction cup with collection container
This variant is suitable for smaller ponds with a capacity of 1,000 liters. The vacuum cleaner collects the extracted digested sludge in a container that has to be emptied regularly. Depending on the model, the containers can hold between 20 and 40 liters of material.
Sucker with drain hose
Models with a two-chamber system offer more comfort. After the first chamber has been filled with digested sludge, the device automatically directs the flow into the second cavity. Meanwhile, the material that has already been collected is pumped directly into the bed via a hose. The cleaned water flows back into the pond.
bark mulch
By introducing natural tannic and humic acids into the water, you can lower the pH value and at the same time increase the sun reflection of the pond water. As a result, thread algae receive less sunlight, which has a negative effect on growth. Put untreated peat, oak bark or leaves in a jute sack (€10.99) and hang it in the water like a tea bag so that the substances slowly dissolve.
algae blocker
There are various chemical agents that can be used to combat thread algae in the garden pond. Only use such products in acute emergencies, as they have a massive impact on the communities in the water and damage the environment. So-called algae blockers combat unwanted plant growth by changing the growth conditions. For example, you can reduce an excess of phosphate.