Are you one of the thousands of people trying to find out how to clear up a cloudy pond or aquarium? Have you done everything the experts say and you still have a cloudy pond. There are many different reasons a pond will become cloudy or green. Weather is number one. Different temperatures, rainfall and too much sun will contribute to a nasty pond. Also inadequate filtration and overfeeding will cause problems, as well as ineffective chemicals. Below are some of the truths I have discovered in regards to maintaining a Koi pond or aquarium.
Are all filters created equal?
Sand filters are hard to clean and do not trap all particles in the sand, allowing some to re-enter the pond. Also the sand filter should be run 24 hours per day for best filtration and must be backwashed on a daily basis.
The Bio filter is very similar to the sand filter except that is it even harder to clean.
Submersible pumps are hard to maintain, as you must climb into the water to perform maintenance on them and they tend to raise the water temperature.
Cartridge filters are the best filters to use. They filter out 99% of the debris, are very easy to clean and last a very long time. You can use cartridge filters in aquariums as well.
What are the chemicals the experts recommend?
Algaecides are recommended to remove algae therefore clearing up a green pond. What they dont tell you is that algaecides are a poison not only to your fish but also to the environment. Algaecides contain copper sulfate which can build up in the organs of fish and other wildlife. The City of Naples, Florida has banned copper sulfate because it heavily contaminates Naples Bay, and the European Union has regarded forbidding its use as it is not compatible with sustainable ecosystems.
Beneficial Bacteria Pros & Cons
Pros
Breaks down organic matter thus removing the food source from the algae
Natural
Safe for fish
Cons
If you already have an algae problem, it must be addressed prior to using beneficial bacteria in order to achieve the desired results.
Slow to take effect. It can take up to 6 weeks for a colony to grow large enough to consume enough of the organic matter to clear up your pond.
If you water flow is too fast or slow, PH levels too high or low or the water temperature is below 50 degrees the effectiveness of the beneficial bacteria will be reduced. Lack of aeration decreases the benefits of beneficial bacteria.
If beneficial bacteria is not live it will not work. There is no way to tell if the product you are purchasing actually contains live bacteria. Check the expiration date.
I am sure you are asking yourself; well what can I do that is easy and effective for clearing up a cloudy or green pond. The answer is simple if you follow 3 simple steps.
First - Dont over feed your fish. This is a big mistake that most people make. Fish are kind of like dogs, they always look hungry.
Second - Use cartridge filters and a filtration system larger than recommended for your size pond. When it comes to Koi ponds, BIGGER is better.
Finally In order to clear up a cloudy pond you will need to use a water clarifier that works. You can find out more about a proven water clarifier at http://www.squidoo.com/clearupcloudypond. This is the missing link in maintaining a clear pond or aquarium.
