What are Algae?
The term algae covers some of the simplest forms of plant life on the planet. There are a number of simple organisms that are considered algae: from organisms that are purely botanic to others that exhibit some of the characteristics of bacteria. Types of algae range from single-celled organisms to some rather complex multi-celled structures. Algae are extremely important for life on earth, because they produce a great deal of the oxygen on the planet. They are also one of the most abundant forms of plant life.
While in one sense algae are miracle plants that are crucial to life on earth, they are commonly considered pests in the lake and pond environment. They can literally choke the life out of the water body, especially if they bloom. Some types of algae are even toxic, and most algae smell and are considered unsightly. When large numbers of algae are present, the water loses clarity and visual appeal.
What Causes Algal Growth?
Like all living things, algae require nutrition. Nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon are the key elements involved in algal growth. Each of these tend to exist in abundant supply in any lake or pond that contains fish, and especially in older lakes & ponds and those with populations of people nearby.
Fish wastes supply large quantities of Nitrogen and phosphorous for the algae to consume and thrive upon. While Nitrogen and carbon are consumed by algae in large amounts, only very small amounts of phosphorous are required. It is often said that one pound of phosphorous can produce as much as five hundred pounds of algae. To produce this amount of algae, seven pounds of Nitrogen and forty pounds of carbon will also be required.
Nitrogen and phosphorous exist in abundance in the nutrient rich sludge at the bottom of the pond that is made up of fish excretions and decayed organic matter, and carbon is present almost everywhere. This makes limiting phosphorous an important goal for anyone attempting to control algae.
Controlling Algae in Lakes and Ponds
There are a number of potent algaecides on the market that can do a very good job of quickly eliminating algae from the water body. The problem with algaecides is that they do not treat the root cause of the problem, they treat the symptom. Algae will flourish because ponds typically become fertile places that encourage & support algae growth.
Ponds can quickly become a gathering place for fertilizers, run-off, wastes, grass clippings, leaves, and almost every other type of organic contaminant known to man. All of these organics come together to create the perfect environment for algae to thrive.
Algae can also act as a kind of sponge for the ammonia from fish wastes. Thus, when algae are poisoned with algaecides, they die off, releasing the ammonia as well as their nutrient load back into the water. This in turn provides more food for future algae growth. A large scale die-off can release dangerous amounts of ammonia back into the water, as well as causing drastic pH changes to the water and ultimately provide food for the next generation of algae to consume.
Thus, while algaecides do a great job of short-term cleanup, they can do very little to help the long-term health of the pond.
A Multi-faceted Approach
Rather than poisoning algae, it is much more effective to starve them of the nutrients that they need in order to survive.
Orb-3 Lake & Pond Pro Products offer several approaches for long-term success in dealing with algae: attack nutrient-rich sludge, use enzymes to speed the degradation of organics in the water, reduce phosphorous levels, and supplement the bacteria in the water. Your pond management professional can help you to determine which techniques will work the best given your water chemistry and objectives.
Professional Enzymes
Applying Orb-3 Professional Enzymes to the water will help to breakdown the ammonia and other organics in the water into simpler compounds that can be consumed by the beneficial bacteria that live in the body of water. In doing so, these elements will not continue to function as a food source for algae.
Though the bacteria would eventually consume the organics, the process is very slow and in most cases cannot keep pace with the rate that the organics are being added by fish and other organisms. Orb-3 Professional Enzymes work as a catalyst to speed up the chemical reactions necessary to break down these compounds thus allowing the bacteria to consume them faster and more efficiently. The net result is that the natural degredation process works at a faster pace, consuming a larger quantity of wastes and making the water look cleaner and clearer faster than is normally possible.
Control Sludge & Muck
The sludge (muck) layer at the bottom of the pond is also an important source of nutrition for algae. Sludge is composed of decaying plant and animal matter, which typically provides a rich source of nutrition for algae and contributes to the overall aging process of the pond.
Orb-3 Professional Pellets are designed to naturally & effectively degrade organic sludge, adding years of life back into the pond and removing a key source of sustenance for the algae.
Solutions for Sludge & Muck >>
Reduce Phosphorous Levels
Orb-3 Phosphorous Reduction Agent removes phosphorous from a lake or pond on a molecular level by a process known as flocculation. It chemically ties up the phosphorous molecules, rendering them ineffective so that they are no longer a source of nutrition for algae. Once the phosphorous is tied up, it will form small clumps and sink to the bottom of the lake or pond. Once this reaction has occurred, the phosphorous will not reenter the water and is bound permanently with Orb-3 Phosphorous Reduction Agent, preventing it from being assimilated by algae.
Orb-3 Phosphorous Reduction Agent is a safe and gentle solution. It will not cause other reactions within the water table nor will not alter the water chemistry. Unlike harsher chemical alternatives for phosphorous control, Orb-3 Phosphorous Reduction Agent will not cause any changes to pH.
Increase Bacteria Populations
A healthy body of water will typically contain large quantities of natural bacteria that have made the pond their home and sustained themselves on the nutrients that are found within the water. Different strains of bacteria will feed upon different types of nutrients.
By adding bacteria to the water that are optimized for the pond environment, you can improve the natural degradation of waste products that are typically found in this environment. Bacteria are living creatures that will grow and multiply under favorable conditions, to some degree allowing their population to respond to changes in the quantity of waste products in the pond.
Bacterial performance can also be enhanced through the use of enzymes. Whereas bacteria will require time to become established and begin multiplying, enzymes create chemical reactions that occur immediately when they are put into contact with a compatible substrate, such as ammonia. The enzymes will break down complex compounds into simple ones that are easier for the bacteria to digest. The net result is that the native bacteria in the pond can function at a higher efficiency with the enzyme supplement than by acting on their own.
Orb-3 Lake & Pond bacteria are available in a liquid or dry format, and with or without a value-added carrier that adds trace minerals and other elements designed to help bacteria thrive.
Trace Minerals Can Help
With the bulk of the true removal of the organics being done by hard working microbes, it only makes sense to create the optimal environment for them to do their job. Bacteria rely on trace minerals to assist in their consumption of organic wastes, just like humans depend upon vitamins & minerals to survive.
Orb-3 Trace Mineral Organic Catalyst is a special formulation of over 80 micro nutrients, minerals, elements designed to stimulate microbial activity. Like all Orb-3 Lake & Pond Products, Orb-3 Trace Mineral Organic Catalyst is formulated with natural ingredients and is safe for pond life when used as directed.
Trace Minerals are also part of the secret to the success of the Value Added products in the Orb-3 Lake & Pond Product Line, including Orb-3 Professional Value Added Dry Bacteria, and Orb-3 Sludge Control (SC) Value Added Pellets.
Which Product is right for you?
With so many all-natural, highly effective solutions for algae, Orb-3 Lake & Pond Pro Products have helped successful management companies around the world create beautiful ponds. Need help choosing the right product? Contact us for more information or to locate a knowledgeable management company near you.
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