Does anyone on here use pond dye?

I've mentioned before about Nan's pond going green very quickly and it's over due another water change now...so far we've tried a few things to stop it turning into pea green slurry within weeks but nothing seems to help! 

However, I recently saw a pond at a local stately home which had been cleaned and had pond dye added...apparently it was safe for the fish and even safe enough for the owners dog to be drinking it!  😮  They'd chosen black dye due to it being a small pond but I'd be looking for a more natural blue dye for Nan's.  Just wondered if anyone on here uses it or could recommend any particular brand?  

Never used that. Is it in direct sunlight? Why not get some plants and put them in the pond. They'll hopefully out compete the algae slowing their growth. 

Yeah it is in direct sunlight unfortunately, the pond dye is meant to stop some of the UV entering the pond. 

We've got a few plants in there; an iris, a lily and some yellow thing and all of those grow well but make no difference to the weed and algae unfortunately.  I keep meaning to try some pond mint though, as I've read that could help.

Also, while we're on the subject, has anyone got any ideas of how I could tidy up the edges of the pond?  All of the tiles are loose and the majority of the render has come off the walls now, as well as the bricks literally crumbling.  I could just get some adhesive to restick the tiles but would like to change it if possible...I've thought about cladding or decking or something?  Needs to be cheap and easy though...my skills are mostly in automotive, electricity & water...building isn't my area at all!!

7 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Does anyone on here use pond dye?

I've mentioned before about Nan's pond going green very quickly and it's over due another water change now...so far we've tried a few things to stop it turning into pea green slurry within weeks but nothing seems to help! 

However, I recently saw a pond at a local stately home which had been cleaned and had pond dye added...apparently it was safe for the fish and even safe enough for the owners dog to be drinking it!  😮  They'd chosen black dye due to it being a small pond but I'd be looking for a more natural blue dye for Nan's.  Just wondered if anyone on here uses it or could recommend any particular brand?  

Mono ethylene glycol will float on top of water and blocks UV 

Basiclly Radiator coolant but kills everything 

You can buy small bales of barley straw designed to be left in a pond, it's supposed to clear algae naturally 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

13 hours ago, Lenny said:

Mono ethylene glycol will float on top of water and blocks UV 

Basiclly Radiator coolant but kills everything 

That's not gonna work with the fish and plants lol.  

13 hours ago, Turvey said:

You can buy small bales of barley straw designed to be left in a pond, it's supposed to clear algae naturally 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tried it, it doesn't work.   We even tried 'extra strength' concentrated barely straw liquid which made absolutely no difference either lol.

37 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

That's not gonna work with the fish and plants lol.  

Tried it, it doesn't work.   We even tried 'extra strength' concentrated barely straw liquid which made absolutely no difference either lol.

I purchased aquarium pumps before for a  80Litre tank which had a UV light built inside the circulation housing which killed algae; the pumps were around 40 pounds each; likely more expensive the larger you need but maybe worth looking in to; in the event your existing unit packs up. 

Barley didn't work for my dads pond either. 

Unfortunately it's too much sunlight ,not enough shade and if there's fish in there too much food being given? 

I've got tall bushes that give a bit of shade to my pond with a good pump/fountain circulating through a separate filter and UV light. Fish are fed the minimum amount so no waste . 

Even with this it's only just enough to stop it going green 

Try a few pond floating plants to give a bit more cover to the surface. 

Why not get a marchy or something to block out the sun? That's the main thing causing the algae growth. 

1 hour ago, iantt said:

Barley didn't work for my dads pond either. 

Unfortunately it's too much sunlight ,not enough shade and if there's fish in there too much food being given? 

I've got tall bushes that give a bit of shade to my pond with a good pump/fountain circulating through a separate filter and UV light. Fish are fed the minimum amount so no waste . 

Even with this it's only just enough to stop it going green 

Try a few pond floating plants to give a bit more cover to the surface. 

Yeah there are fish in there, around 40 years ago they won 3 or 4 fish at a funfair so put them in the pond...there are now around 30 in there, never been added to!  Knowing my Nan she probably is over feeding them...  Her dog has had to be put on a diet.   We can't have a pump running any more as the filter clogs too quickly. It didn't seem to make any difference to the green though, I guess it would need to one with a UV light to make some difference.

Can you recommend any plants that would be good to try?  Preferably something that will survive the pond freezing in winter and wont need cutting back every other week lol.

 

2 hours ago, zain611 said:

Why not get a marchy or something to block out the sun? That's the main thing causing the algae growth. 

Nan would hate a marquee in the garden!   It looks like I may have to give up on this idea and just accept it won't stay clear for long where it is.  Would be willing to try some extra plants though.

 

Water Soldiers (Stratiotes aloides), just 2 will suffice as they soon produce small off springs. In winter they sink to the bottom. When there's to many in the summer just take the large ones out and leave little ones. 

What about algae eaters? Although I'd check if the environment is okay for them.

23 hours ago, iantt said:

 

Water Soldiers (Stratiotes aloides), just 2 will suffice as they soon produce small off springs. In winter they sink to the bottom. When there's to many in the summer just take the large ones out and leave little ones. 

Thank Ian, had a look at a local aquatic shop today...they're selling water soldiers for £3.50 each, does that sound reasonable? 

 

 

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

Thank Ian, had a look at a local aquatic shop today...they're selling water soldiers for £3.50 each, does that sound reasonable? 

Who's paying? 

25 minutes ago, Lenny said:

Who's paying? 

Nan will be...but she doesn't like spending money any more than I do!

I just have no idea what's considered reasonable for this sort of thing...  I've only ever bought garden plants before and she usually moaned that they were too expensive lol.  We've given up this year though as she doesn't have the mobility to keep stuff watered anymore, we've lost everything to drought the last couple of years.  It's a shame really as they had the best front and rear gardens on the street when my grandad was alive and now it's very bare.