How To Naturally Control Algae: Natural Algae Control And Water Aeration

By Author: Erica Ronchetti
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Eutrophication of a pond is caused by an increase of chemicals—these nutrient compounds often contain phosphorous or nitrogen. When an increase of nutrients occurs in an aquatic ecosystem, an algal bloom will happen, or a species of algae will experience a rapid population increase in a short period of time. When bodies of water experience rapid algal blooms, the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water can vary greatly--dissolved oxygen can increase significantly during the day but can also drop dangerously low after dark because of respiring algae and growing levels of microorganisms that feed on the dead algal masses. In many circumstances, oxygen levels decline dangerously and fish and other marine animals and plant life suffer. For those reasons, algae control is necessary.

In some cases, algal blooms are referred to as “harmful algal blooms” and are damaging to animals, aquatic plants, and sometimes humans. In extreme cases, a pond or body of water can become anaerobic and result in growth of harmful bacteria that produce toxins. In natural bodies of water, the “dead zone” refers to algae ...
... depleted areas lacking oxygen.

Popular Algae Control Methods: Why They Don’t Always Work

Algaecides: When oxygen is reduced in an aquatic environment, fish are the first to suffer. Algaecides don’t help improve the health and growth of aquatic fish nor control organic bottom sediment. If you’re looking for an algae solution or algae control method, you may have considered an algaecide. Many sources indicate that excessive algaecides can kill fish and other aquatic animals, doing more harm than good. They’ve also been known to interfere with natural fish reproduction. Algaecides and copper compounds can also kill off beneficial bacteria that help remove and control organic bottom muck. Copper compounds also add new toxic sediment to the bottom of a pond or lake.
Alum: Alum used to control algae can leave an aluminum hydroxide on the pond or lake bottom that can interfere with fish reproduction, and mess with beneficial bacteria and insects that naturally feed on lake and pond muck.

Don’t try to control algae blooms in a lake without eliminating the cause or the algae bloom will return quickly, unless your lake or pond weeds quickly absorb the nutrients before the algae grow again. Even if pond weeds quickly absorb the nutrients, weeds will multiply instead. Your best method of controlling algae blooms in a water body is to reduce the overabundance of pond nutrients with a water aerator, in combination with beneficial bacteria and enzymes that provide algae control and reduce carbon dioxide and available nutrients to low levels. This is an effective and long term way to control and naturally remove algae.

Using aeration to control algae is a natural process—in any natural pond ecosystem, you’ll find aeration. This natural process controls algae and contributes to a healthier pond ecosystem based off the natural principle that ponds are self-cleaning and can restore themselves using their own natural processes. Ponds usually keep free and clean from excess algae because they contain ecosystems with food chains to absorb excess nutrients and prevent plant growth. When runoff overwhelms delicate ecosystem balances, the overgrowth of algae is a result. Aeration is the natural way to restore natural water processes, accelerating them to keep up with today’s increasing amount of pollutants. Learn more about how to control algae, reduce pond weeds, and improve the health of your pond by aeration.

Erica Ronchetti is a freelance writer working with CLEAN-FLO to inform people how to lake aerators and the process of pond aeration.For more information about controlling algae and pond aerators solutions, visit our site today!