Keeping Koi presents the keeper with a number of enemies from Heron flying overhead to the threat of some unknown disease. There is one enemy that can be controlled and that is algae, the green enemy! The features present in your Koi pond construction will play a significant part in successful algae control.

Algae Normal
Firstly algae is quite normal and while we put algae in the enemy category this has more to do with how our pond looks rather than how it functions. In a sense some algae is necessary for a healthy pond. It can provide Koi with some nibble food which can be helpful. However a pond overrun with algae is not at all attractive and if it really gets out of control it can provide a number of additional problems.

The growth of algae depends upon a number of factors. Sunlight, water temperature, weather, oxygen concentrations and the level of nutrients present in the water. From this list you can see that algae competes for the same ingredients as do normal plants and the key to algae controls lies in this fact. Your design and Koi pond construction need to provide for significant plant life which can and will play the major role in algae control.

Developing Control
How do we control algae in a Koi pond. First test the water with your pond water kit. Test for the level of nitrates in the water and check your pH value. If the nitrate level is high it means that the algae has a lot of food to feed on and if possible you need to introduce other plants to feed on these nitrates. This is your best defence against algae, if possible increase your plant life. However be careful not to provide too much shade or reduce the surface area of the pond being exposed to the air. Plants like waterlilies can reduce the absorption of oxygen so necessary for all life in your pond. Remember algae like all plants are looking for carbon-dioxide and if you deplete the oxygen in your water you are encouraging algal growth rather than killing it. Also remember that algae like stagnant water. Maybe you need a larger pump to increase the water flow. Koi pumps and filters need to pump the volume of water in the pond every hour. Pumping air through air stones will stir the water overcoming any stagnation. Unfortunately so much of this comes back to your original Koi pond construction and some of these adjustments can be difficult to make to an established pond.

Koi are voracious eaters and algae is often not an issue as they will feed on algae all day if it is present. Other fish, aquatic snails and tadpoles etc all will eat algae and can assist in keeping the balance of your ecosystem. Also keep in mind you may have too many Koi in your pond. By reducing the number of Koi you can reduce the output of waste and the subsequent output of nitrates from the filter.

Issues to Check
Check your drainage. Are garden fertilizers finding their way into your pond and encouraging plant growth. What about the fertilizers you are providing for your water lilies and other pond plants. Are these fertilizers feeding your algae?

One helpful hint is Barley straw. This will impede algal growth and is natural. Other chemical treatments are not so natural but can assist in controlling algae particularly if things get out of control. However be careful. You need to understand why things are getting out of control. Any chemical treatment may not be treating the fundamental cause and may not really solve your problem. We accept that there are a number of chemicals that can be very successful in controlling algae and these may be necessary where your Koi pond construction will be difficult to modify but algae control that depends on chemicals will be expensive and should be avoided if at all possible and we are not really considering this approach in this article. We consider chemical control an emergency feature not normal part of algae control. Most pond and pet stores will have suitable chemical approaches to offer.

The Heart of Algae Control
The real solution to algal growth is to ensure that there are enough plants to absorb the nitrates in your pond water so that the algae will have little to grow on. Yes you can literally starve the algae. If you can get the balance right between the level of nitrates being output by the filter and the amount of plant life present in your pond you will largely keep algae under control. For those with an established pond this can be difficult. Koi and plant life do not live together very well. Koi can be destructive of pond plants and if you cannot separate your plants from your Koi you may need to grow your plants in pots having their rims just above the surface of the water so the Koi cannot get to them. Arrange your pond to ensure your plants can grow without being destroyed by the Koi.

Pond Design For Those Starting Out
For those who are just starting out and the design of your pond is not yet fixed in concrete you have the option of designing two ponds. This is your best alternative to algae control and where possible should be part of your Koi pond construction. If this is possible position the first pond above the second with a waterfall between. In the first pond grow your main plants that will absorb all the nitrates from the water. In this pond you can plan for vigorous plant life consistent with your overall garden design. In the second lower pond have your Koi with a few plants to make the pond look natural and attractive. Between the two ponds have a waterfall for aeration. Let your pump and filter system pump the water between the two ponds and you should have an algae free pond. Plant life is the best defence you have against algae. Plan for your upper pond to have an attractive and vigorous arrangement of aquatic plants that will starve your algae of their basic food source.

For more information visit http://www.koihowto.com for a whole lot more about Koi

Author Bio: Frank Rogers started keeping fish in his teens. Since those early days he has kept fish whenever it was possible to do so. While living in the tropics he tried his hand at keeping salt water fish and learnt from his mistakes. He now shares with you the challenge of keeping Koi – perhaps the fish that are the most fun to keep in either a pond or large tank. Pay a visit to http://www.koihowto.com and learn more about these amazing fish.

Category: Pets
Keywords: koi pond construction, algae control,