How to get rid of green Algae in pond | Baltimore pond tips | Maryland Pond Company

If you can’t see your fish and your pond looks like split pea soup, you might have an Algae problem! 

What can Baltimore homeowners do to combat this problem in their ponds?

First of all, let’s figure out what type of Algae we’re dealing with. 

In the Maryland area, the algae that forms in your pond comes in two basic types: planktonic and filamentous.

• Planktonic algae, the source of pea soup (green water!) algae blooms, are actually floating, tiny microscopic plants that color pond water shades of green, blue-green, or brown. Planktonic algae can cause oxygen depletions and fish kill.
• Filamentous ( aka. string) algae are tiny single-celled plants that form into long, threads or filaments. These start growing along the bottom of the pond in shallow water or on rocks or other marginal plants, form mats that almost look like steel wool. This type of algae loves to grow in streams and on waterfalls.  

In this article we are going to focus our attention on green water (Planktonic Algae).  For help with string algae in your Baltimore pond check out this article: 

How To | Control String Algae In Koi Pond | Naturally | Baltimore Pond Company | Arbor Ridge |

Where to start?

Simply put, pea soup pond water is the result of an imbalance in your pond.  When too much nutrient load  (decomposing plant material, fish “waste” and other organic debris)  build up in your Baltimore County water garden, algae thrives because the nutrients act like food for it. That thriving planktonic type algae is what causes your beautiful backyard pond to look like pea soup.To achieve balance in your pond, you need to evaluate and correct the underlying problems that are causing your green water.

Get to the root of the problem.

Here are a few common things that we see while maintaining ponds all around the Baltimore, MD area.  It’s important to identify the root cause of the algae problem rather than trying to treat the problem with chemicals.    

• Pond muck and waste buildup.
  After a long Maryland winter, waste and debris may have built up in your pond. A spring cleaning will help remove those excess nutrients that are fueling the algae. 
• Not enough beneficial bacteria.
  Adding consistent beneficial bacteria to your Backyard pond in MD will help your ecosystem process through algae-feeding nutrients. With little or no nutrients to feed the algae, the green algae growth will slow down.
• Lots of sunlight and inadequate plants.
  Algae needs sunlight for growth. Many pond owners in the Baltimore area have had success blocking that sunlight by covering the pond water’s surface with floating plants. As a general rule shading 40 percent of your pond with floating plants can help combat the algae.
• Not enough aeration.
  The good bacteria and your pond’s fish need oxygen to thrive.   Air being pumped into the water will circulate the water column and infuse the water with oxygen.
• Too many fish!
  This is a tough one and never popular.  The bottom line is that if your water garden is brimming with fish, it may be time to find homes for some of them. Overcrowding is a common source for green water because your pond system may not be large enough to handle the amount of waste being produced.

Do you need professional help with your pond?  Arbor Ridge would love to assist.  Call 410-746-3400 or, contact us today to get started. 

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We provide pond services to the following counties, towns, and cities throughout Maryland.

Baltimore County, MD Arbutus, Arcadia, Baldwin, Baltimore Highlands, Boring, Bowleys Quarters, Bradshaw, Brooklandville, Butler, Carney, Carroll Crest, Chase, Fork, Cockeysville, Dundalk, Edgemere, Essex, Fort Howard, Franklinville, Freeland, Fullerton, Garrison, Germantown, Glen Arm, Glencoe, Glyndon, Granite, Gwynn Oak, Halethorpe, Hampton, Hebbville, Hereford, Hunt Valley, Hydes, Jacksonville, Jerusalem, Kingsville, Lake, Lansdowne, Loch Raven, Lochearn, Long Green, Lutherville, Maryland Line, Mays Chapel, Middle River, Milford Mill, Monkton, North Point Village, Nottingham, Oella, Overlea, Owings Mills, Parkton, Parkville, Perry Hall, Pikesville, Phoenix, Glyndon, Rodgers Forge, Randallstown, Reisterstown, Rosedale, Rossville, Ruxton-Riderwood, Sparks, Sparrows Point, St. Denis, Stevenson, Timonium, Towson, Turners Station, Upper Falls, Upperco, White Hall, White Marsh.

Harford County, MD

Aberdeen, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Abingdon, Baldwin, Bel Air, Belcamp, Benson, Bently Springs, Bush, Churchville, Conowingo, Darlington, Edgewood, Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edgewood Heights, Fairview, Fallston, Forge Acres, Forest Hill, Fork, Glen Arm, Glenco, Green Spring Hills, Havre de Grace, Hydes, Kingsville, Jacksonville, Jarrettsville, Jerusalem, Joppa, Joppatowne, Loch Raven, Long Green, McComas, Monkton, Norris Corner, Nottingham, Parkton, Perry Hall, Pleasant Hills, Pylesville, Riverside, Sparks, Street, Taylor, Upper Falls, Warwick, White Hall, White Marsh, and Whiteford.

Do you need help with your koi pond or waterfall in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Harford County, MD ?

We are a Baltimore Maryland area based full services Pond contractor & Pond Maintenance landscape company specializing in naturalistic water features, and unique outdoor spaces, including Ponds, Water Gardens and Stream Design, Construction, Repair, Renovation & Maintenance Serving the greater Baltimore County Maryland MD area. Arbor Ridge was founded to fill a need for a full service company that truly cares about the details of every project and service. Please click here to see what our Baltimore area clients have to say about us!  Testimonials 

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