Whether you’re a new or experienced pond owner you will face a common and often frustrating challenge with algae growth. Don’t be alarmed. There are several ways you can eliminate and even prevent algae growth in your pond.

The most common way to remove algae is by using an algaecide water treatment. With proper use, the Beckett™ Algaecure Algaecide is an effective method for removing algae and is safe for fish and plants. There are a few important steps that you must do before, during, and after applying the algaecide to your pond to maintain an adequate level of oxygen for your fish. If not followed carefully the fish can suffocate. The reason is that once the algae die off it’s no longer giving off oxygen to the fish. Following these steps will ensure your fish are unharmed during the treatment:

• It is critical to provide adequate aeration which supplies your fish with vital oxygen. Use a fountain sprayer or waterfall that vigorously agitates the water or install an aeration device in the pond. These should always be running.
• Remove as much algae and other gunk from your pond by hand or use a fish net prior to treatment. This is especially important in warm weather months as warm water holds less oxygen than cool water.
• Don’t treat your pond with algaecide in the evening. Oxygen-producing plants provide less oxygen in the evening and night.
• Treat your pond in the morning, early in the day so that you can monitor your fish during and after treatment.
• If your fish appear sluggish, or are gathering at the fountain spray head or water surface, they are lacking oxygen. As an emergency measure, you can immediately spray water from your garden hose into the pond. Use the jet spray setting on your garden hose. Simulate rainfall by spraying the water in and across your pond. The chlorine will be dispersed from the water due to the vigorous force of the water spray. If you don’t have a sprayer hose you can simply scoop pond water with a bucket and pour it back in the pond. Pour from up high so that you create water bubbles, and splashing water. Repeat until your fish are stabilized. Add an aerator, fountain, or waterfall for a permanent solution and operate it 24 hours a day.
• After the water has been treated with algaecide, you need to immediately remove any dead and decaying algae by hand, using a fish net, or a pond vacuum to remove the debris. Make sure to remove the dead algae from foam filters, and filtration devices as well.
• You can use a sludge remover that helps to gather floating debris and these clumps will fall to the bottom of the pond where you can easily then scoop them out.
• Remove any remaining algaecide by using a carbon filter, and partially changing the water.