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 You've just built the perfect pond in your customer's backyard. They've stocked it with beautiful fish and some attractive plants, and soon frogs and other animals come to enjoy the water. In a short time the backyard has become a thriving eco-system. You put a lot of hard work into the design and installation of that pond, and you are pleased that your customer is enjoying the peace and tranquility of their new environment. They are pleased with their investment and you know that they will make a great referral for future prospective customers.
Then things begin to change. It may start as a small clump of green slime, or the water may turn into pea soup practically overnight, but in either case your customer is somewhere between panicked and upset. The algae is unsightly, smelly, and in general unwanted. They can't even see the fish. Their water feature just turned into an expensive water eyesore.
The first call your customer makes is to you; they expect you to do something – now! To get rid of the algae, you consider spraying a chemical algaecide into the water, but you need a permit for that (and a sprayer and protective gear). Maybe you find some over-the-counter algaecide to spray, and if you’re lucky, the next morning the algae turns brown and begins falling to the bottom of the pond. You breathe a sigh of relief, but then slowly it begins coming back again, much like the evil character in a horror film. By the end of the week you're right back where you started.
What Happened?
Algae and other unwanted backyard pond pests thrive on the organic materials in the water - specifically Nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon. These org anic materials come from wastes of the fish and other animals in the pond, as well as run-off, leaves, grass clippings, etc. The algae feast on these nutrients, and when treated with chemical algaecides, the dead algae decompose and release the nutrients back into the water, and the cycle begins all over again.
Well maintained mature ponds may have a stronger "immune system" for dealing with organics in the water. Beneficial bacteria produce enzymes and consume a great deal of the organic load that leads to uncontrolled algae growth. However, a new pond has no such bacterial population, and thus the algae thrive unchecked. A common first instinct is to drain the pond and start over. A better solution is to treat the water and achieve a balanced, healthy biota – the natural combination of fish, aquatic plant life, and microbes that co-exist in a pond.
Preventing Algae Growth the Natural Way
A healthy biota will ward off algae and the nutrients that feed it. Reducing excess nutrients, decreasing the amount of light entering the water, and introducing circulation or aeration will naturally reduce the occurrence of algae. A pond fortified by a combination of beneficial bacteria, natural enzymes and trace minerals is one in which excess nutrients are kept to a minimum.
Water treatment should begin as soon as a pond is constructed so that organics are not allowed to build up. A correctly sized circulation pump is often standard with most pond designs; some include aerators as well. Another option and the most cost-effective way to keep water fresh, is to add plenty of oxygen to pond water through fine bubble aeration. Fine bubbles yield increased oxygen uptake, which aids the natural biota and increases mixing (water turnover).
 When choosing water treatment products, it is equally important to take a regular maintenance approach from the start. Once pond water is out of control, pond aging begins. Clarity diminishes and pond water becomes turbid; fish and aquatic plants may die; decaying organic matter sinks to the bottom and becomes sludge. This sludge adds excess nutrients that feed algae and a damaging cycle has begun.
Beneficial bacteria with specific strains can be added to improve water clarity and eat sludge. Once excess organics are consumed, water clarity resumes. Diverse natural enzymes stimulate existing bacteria along with safe surfactants that further break down sludge and decaying plant matter. Trace minerals rejuvenate pond water and remove phosphorus and ammonia to further stimulate a healthy biota. Together this natural treatment solution keeps the algae's nutrients at bay and makes pond water sparkle.
Ongoing pond water maintenance is a process that works in harmony with nature by using fine bubble aeration, beneficial bacteria, natural enzymes and trace minerals.
What can you do in the future?
Follow this simple three step process immediately after pond construction to provide your customer's pond with an "immune system" that protects against growth of algae and other unwanted pests:
- Add Bacteria. Over time, beneficial bacteria will establish themselves in the water body. Kick-start the process by supplementing bacteria that consume the excess nutrients found in the pond environment. Bacteria can be added in either a liquid or dry format, depending upon your preference for ease of application.
- Add Enzymes. Unlike bacteria, which take time to grow and multiply, enzymes begin breaking down organic substances immediately. The enzymes will stimulate growth of beneficial bacteria and accelerate the breakdown of wastes.
- Add Trace Minerals. Like the daily vitamin supplement for humans, trace minerals provide the natural biota with optimal nutrients for growth and reproduction.
In the presence of sufficient oxygen and water circulation, these techniques will go a long way toward providing your customers with a natural solution to maintaining a beautiful water system. Contact us today for more information on how Orb-3 Ornamental Products can help you supply the right products for your customers' ongoing water garden maintenance needs!
 | Easy to use, Orb-3 Lake & Pond Liquid Bacteria’s blend of select strains of bacteria is formulated to reduce turbidity and sludge generating organics and leaves water fresh, clear, and sparkling. | MSDS
(22.56 KB PDF) | Available in 12x1-pt Case, 12x1-qt Case, 4x1-gal Case, 2x2.5-gal Case, 5-gal Pail, 15-gal Drum, 55-gal Drum |  |
 | Orb-3 Lake & Pond Enzymes enhances the breakdown of organics and speeds bacterial growth in ponds. This naturally and economically achieves superior water quality. Also available in a special formulation for Water Gardens. | Lake & Pond MSDS
(22.69 KB PDF)
Water Garden MSDS
(22.95 KB PDF) | Available in 4x1-gal Case, 2x2.5-gal Case, 5-gal Pail, 15-gal Drum, 55-gal Drum, 12x1-pt Case, 12x1-qt Case | |
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