At the basic level, there are two main types of pond algae: green algae and blanket weed. Lots of pond keepers struggle to keep algae under control, especially as it grows rapidly and can reduce visibility in your pond. As algae spreads quickly, it’s important to treat your pond as soon as you see algae start to grow.
So, what are the two main types of pond algae?
What’s the difference between green algae and blanket weed?
The two main types of pond algae are green algae and blanket weed.
Green algae (also known as floating algae or suspended algae) discolours pond water, giving it a green tinge. Green algae can become so thick you can’t see your pond fish. It’s essential to get rid of green algae to keep your fish healthy.
Meanwhile, blanket weed (also known as blanket algae) forms in long strands that bind together as they grow. This is what creates that green blanket look over your pond. It’s just as important to treat blanket weed as it is green algae.
Why do you need to get rid of pond algae?
At the simplest level, it’s important to get rid of algae because it uses the oxygen your pond fish need to live.
Both green algae and blanket algae need oxygen to live. During the day, sunlight allows algae to produce oxygen. When the sun goes down, algae pulls oxygen from your pond water instead. This reduces the oxygen in your pond, which your fish need to live. If you don’t treat the algae, your fish and plants in your pond could die.
When is pond algae most troublesome?
Algae is particularly problematic when there are too many fish for the number of plants in a pond. All fish fill pond water with nutrients, which plants absorb. Unless there aren’t enough plants in the pond. A plant-lacking pond tends to fill with nutrients that fuel algae growth.
Bonus Tip
It’s a good idea to add floating and/or submerged plants to your pond. While floating plants can offer shade that reduces the amount of sunlight reaching your pond and increasing algae growth, submerged plants directly add oxygen to the pond for your fish.
How to get rid of pond algae
We sell lots of algae treatments, and we’ve shared some tips on getting rid of pond algae in this blog post.
Though green algae and blanket algae are the two main types of pond algae, there are lots of rarer algae subtypes too. One example is BGA algae, which can be dangerous. If you’re dealing with a complicated or rare algae problem, get in touch with us for advice.
About Warehouse Aquatics
The Warehouse Aquatics mission is to offer the most choice at the best prices when it comes to your fishes’ wellbeing. We use the products on our website ourselves and are well-versed in all things fish, so we can give you all the advice you need. We’re not just here to sell aquatic supplies. We’re also here to guide you through your journey as a fish owner and enthusiast.
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