How can I make the water in my Garden Pond clearer?
Question:I have five goldfish who seem to be thriving, but the water always seems to be slightly sandy. I have tried `Clear Pond`
Now I have put in a block of barley straw. Does this make any difference?
Answers:
Barley Straw works against certain Algae called Blanket Weed. It is not a clear all, for all pond problems though. And yours sounds a bit different with 'sandy' elements. I assume that this 'sand' is at the bottom of the pond? If so, it would be worthwhile taking it out to inspect it. Is it really grains of sand?
Quick thought - could run off water, from land near to the pond, be adding these sandy deposits, or is this from submerged plants? You may be getting some soil displaced from plant 'pots' that are underground, by worms or roots even.
Using clear pond or other biological treatment is an excellent way to ensure that nutrients and biological waste is processed, leaving a cleaner, healthier water for you fish etc. I'd look elsewhere for the source of sandy desposits though, and clear at source, rather than the symptoms.
Quick thoughts. Good luck! Rob
ive tried clear pond and it worked for me
Yes, according to the Times Online Gardening Bulletin, barley straw will clear the water of any algae.
What are you using as a filter/fountain? Any Plecos in there?
if u have a u.v filter maybe the bulb needs changing. the fish like dull water because they can hide but try that so you can see them.
you dont say if you have a liner or what in your pond this could make a differance.do you have many plants as they willkeep the oxygen levels up.if the pond is fairly new it will take several months to balance itself out.a u.v. filter is very good at keeping the water clear and isnt that expensive ive had mine for 2 years and its on all the time and its fine.make sure that you dont overfeed your fish as leftovers add to the nitrogen content and encourage greening.if your fish seem well id maybe leave well alone and wait and see it may clear itself most of all just enjoy a fascinating hobby that also lowers your stress levels good luck
UV lamp is the best answer and of coarse the most expensive, the bulb will last about a year and it basically sterilizes the water, killing the alge in the process. Alge also hates shade so you might get off cheaper covering the pond with floating plants, like water lettuce and the like, or both methods. good luck
Barlley Straw is excellent. I use about 2 litres worth stuffed into an old piece of strawberry net. This keeps the water in an unpumped pond clear for the summer. How clear you want it though- this is not crystal clear water we are talking about.
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