If you’ve ever wondered what’s growing in your pond, you’ve probably run across some scum. Often called “blue-green algae,” this floating filamentous plant is not algae but cyanobacteria, a fungus. It is known for its toxic effects on human beings, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pond scum isn’t the only thing growing in your pond, though. Most ponds have other organisms, including tadpoles and snails, which eat the algae.
Filamentous Algae
While filamentous algae are harmless to fish, they can be an unpleasant nuisance. They grow on pond walls and bottoms and produce oxygen, which makes them buoyant. Despite their beneficial effect on pond health, filamentous algae can overwhelm the ecosystem and cause pond scum to form. Fortunately, there are several methods to clear pond scum, and most are completely safe. Read on for some tips for a successful algae treatment.
Mechanical control is another common method for eliminating filamentous algae. It is effective for small ponds, lakefronts, and reservoirs, but should be combined with other methods, such as fertilization, to ensure a strong food chain for pond fish. Aside from mechanical removal, you should also collect algae-producing plants and use non-toxic dyes to prevent algae growth in the future. These chemicals may reduce the growth of aquatic plants and limit the amount of sunlight reaching the water surface, but do not help to improve the natural food chain.
Before applying a product for filamentous algae control, make sure that you have the right PPE. The chemical used for filamentous algae control is not only safe for fish but also easy to use. Wear protective clothing and a mask when applying the product. Once you’re done, you should check your pond for any other symptoms. Aside from pond scum, filamentous algae can be a cause for concern.
Spirogyra
Spirogyra pond gypsum is a naturally occurring algae in the water. The green algae is part of the Zygnemataceae family and are commonly found in ditches, lakes, and slow-moving bodies of water. Its reproductive process is asexual, and individual strands break off to form new ones. Under unfavorable conditions, Spirogyra switches to sexual reproduction. During this process, adjacent strands extend temporary conjugation tubes towards each other and exchange genetic information to form a zygospore. Spirogyra cells of the same filament perform similar reproductive actions, including forming a zygospore. The zygospore cell wall is thick and durable and protects the organism until environmental conditions improve.
Spirogyra mats float on water surface on sunny days and are maintained afloat by the tiny bubbles produced during photosynthesis. As the sun goes down and photosynthesis slows, the algae sink, releasing carbon dioxide as their waste. Thick mats of Spirogyra can cause high levels of dissolved carbon dioxide, which can cause water pH to drop rapidly and stress other aquatic organisms.
Chara
Chara pond scum is the result of the growth of multicellular algae, Muskgrass. It is multicellular algae with no true leaves and a pungent odor when crushed. Its branches are composed of a column of cells and a layer of calcium. When it dries, it looks ashen to white and retains a crunch or grainy texture. If left untreated, it can cause your pond to become rigid and discolored.
In addition to causing pond scum, Chara also serves as food for pond animals and waterfowl. The plant can cover the bottom of a pond in as little as a few months if conditions are ideal. This plant can be installed yourself by putting the thalli of a plant at the bottom of the pond. Another option is to place sediment containing the spores of an abundant plant at the bottom of the pond.
Physical removal of Chara scum is not an effective solution, since spores left behind by the algae will grow back. Chemical control is more effective, as copper-based products are particularly effective in controlling Chara. In addition, multifunctional aquatic products can be used to treat chara. It is best to treat the pond using a combination of methods to prevent re-colonization. Chara control can be difficult without the help of a professional.
Oscillatoria
Oscillatoria is blue-green filamentous algae. They can form long mats or short planktonic filaments, and they often float to the surface when trapped gas bubbles cause them to move upward. Oscillatoria has thin mucilage sheaths and a slow oscillating motion, which is attributed to their secretion of mucilage.
The algae commonly known as pond scum contain toxins that can be dangerous to livestock, pets, and wildlife. The organisms form mats and can cause high TSS levels and water discoloration. Their presence can also cause water discoloration and unpleasant odors. Pond scum can be unsightly, resulting in unpleasant odors. Its distinctive look resembles a patch of stained paint or large filaments of water.
In addition to their offensive odor, Oscillatoria in Pond Sludge is also a known source of toxins. Researchers from the University of Michigan, Boston College, and the Nantucket Land Council studied samples from catfish ponds in Mississippi. A few ponds have toxic blooms every year. Scientists conducted an experiment where pond scum was removed and the airborne toxins were tested. The best days to collect samples were rainy or windy days, when the organisms were most viable. Unfortunately, sunlight breaks down the droplets of ATX in the air, making it difficult to collect and store.
Floating Pondweeds
Floating lilies and pondweeds are two of the most common invasive plants in a lake. They form mats on the surface of the water and can overtake the native plant species in a lake. Generally, these weeds can be controlled with copper algaecide treatments, but large infestations may require mechanical removal. Non-native annual weeds, such as hydrilla and water lettuce, grow in shallow lakes and can be aggressively aggressive, destroying native plants in the process.
The toxins released by these organisms are a concern for waterways. Floating pondweeds are a common cause of pond scum. These algae can be a nuisance to homeowners and pets, but removing them from a pond is easy. Texas A&M University Extension Service recommends raking and sieving the pond to remove these plants. Once removed, they can be treated with a copper sulfate product or herbicide. However, this can cause the lake to become more prone to other types of algae.
Algae are another common cause of pond scum. These weeds float on the surface of the water and collect nutrients from it. In South Carolina, they are the most common group of weeds found in ponds. Algae can range from microscopic single-celled organisms to large branched plants. Algae are generally classified into three groups – planktonic algae, filamentous algae, and stoneworts. The latter group are the most common and often cause pond scum. While they are commonly thought of as pond weeds, floating weeds are actually clusters of tiny green plants. Common examples include mosquito fern and duckweed.
Rock Salt
Many people are confused about the role of rock salt in preventing pond scum. But it’s actually beneficial for your aquatic life. A proper pond ecosystem is supported by beneficial bacteria. These bacteria help break down waste products, while reducing the amount of dissolved oxygen. High waste levels also lower the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, making it harder for your fish to survive.
The most common cause of pond scum is filamentous algae, which form long strands on the pond’s sides. They produce oxygen and keep the water warm, which promotes their growth. If the algae population grows out of control, however, it can choke out the beneficial bacteria. If you don’t want your pond to scum up, consider adding barley straw. This substance is effective for preventing the growth of pond scum, and it will decompose faster when exposed to sunlight.
Another way to control algae growth is to add rock salt. One pound of rock salt per thousand gallons of water should be sufficient to kill the algae. However, be careful when adding rock salt to your pond. This chemical may kill the fish and plants in the water, so it’s best to use it only as a last resort. However, be aware that rock salt is a harmful substance for aquatic life.
