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Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)

Hi,

John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.

I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.

With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.

I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.

If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.

I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.

I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.

Thank you
Darragh Sherwin

Pond algae

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27 Mar 2011 19:21 #1 by SSS (Sion S)
Pond algae was created by SSS (Sion S)
The pond outside has started growing this long hair-like algae, you can see it under the surface
but its only covering less than 10% of the surface. Im not worried or anything but I have a feeling
it might keep growing and take over.
So just wondering should I get rid of it now or just leave it alone, any suggestions?

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27 Mar 2011 19:25 - 27 Mar 2011 19:27 #2 by stretnik (stretnik)
Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re: Pond algae
Use Barley Straw and make sure you get surface covering plants like Water lilies as the shade will limit the light, if you have no Fish, buy some Freshwater Fleas or Daphnia they feed on Algae., as I type this I remember there was a story re the extraction of a substance from Barley Straw, not sure if it's been done yet.

If you or anyone gets problems with suspended Algae, there is an additive you can put in the Pond, it is a colloidal ie it makes the Algae form clumps that you can skim off the surface.

Kev.
Last edit: 27 Mar 2011 19:27 by stretnik (stretnik).

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27 Mar 2011 19:37 #3 by SSS (Sion S)
Replied by SSS (Sion S) on topic Re: Pond algae
Theres fish in there but only one small plant, the frost seems to have killed the rest.
Im planning to get some plants this week, some oxegenating and lillies, so maybe if
I just net some of the algae and put the plants in?

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27 Mar 2011 23:57 #4 by pkearney (Phil Kearney)
a long stick with some rough grooves cut into it can manually remove a lot of the algae. if your new plants get a head start they will eventually prevent the algae.you have to be vigilant. i think its better than using chemicals.
phil.

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28 Mar 2011 00:04 #5 by stretnik (stretnik)
Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re: Pond algae
If you get a Bamboo Cane, split one end with a Knife in three pieces and wedge a small stone in the splits to keep the splits apart, then just twist the Cane and the Hair/filamentous Algal threads will wrap around the Stick.

Kev.

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28 Mar 2011 00:12 #6 by SSS (Sion S)
Replied by SSS (Sion S) on topic Re: Pond algae
Some good ideas there, cheers lads!
Ill try that tomorrow, and will probably
gets some plants on Tuesday.

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28 Mar 2011 12:32 #7 by christyg (Chris Geraghty)
Check this out... Viresco

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27 Oct 2011 13:27 #8 by smelf1 (Ian O'Toole)
Replied by smelf1 (Ian O'Toole) on topic Re: Pond algae
have you tried changing your pond pump to one that has a uv light to help remove the algae before it starts

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27 Oct 2011 13:36 #9 by SSS (Sion S)
Replied by SSS (Sion S) on topic Re: Pond algae
This was ages ago, its fixed now but yeah have had a uv filter on it since last year.
Cheers.

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27 Oct 2011 13:49 #10 by smelf1 (Ian O'Toole)
Replied by smelf1 (Ian O'Toole) on topic Re: Pond algae
no probs, i had the same issues as you until i installed a new pump with the uv.

I just have to worry about the cats fishing in the pond. A dog and netting still wont keep it away.

Glad its all sorted.

Regards
Smelf1

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27 Oct 2011 23:58 #11 by BlueRam (Sean Crowe)
Replied by BlueRam (Sean Crowe) on topic Re: Pond algae
the sisters boyf has a good size pond and was down there last week went out to have a look and the water was very very green couldnt see anything in the tank dont know much about ponds is there anything that could be done as for water changes or anything

sean

Sean Crowe

ITFS Member

Location: Navan

Always Remember Surviving Is Not Thriving

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28 Oct 2011 13:13 #12 by KenS (Ken Simpson)
Replied by KenS (Ken Simpson) on topic Re: Pond algae
I've noticed a lot of algae in my pond recently as well. Must be something to do with the mild weather.

I've found that the best way to keep it under control is to do regular water changes. It's pretty easy on my pond, but I know it's not easy for most.

The other thing is to ensure you're water is buffered. You can do this by adding baking soda. Rain will soften your pond water and algae loves soft water.

I have a UV in my filter. It's great for keeping the water clear, but isn't much use when it comes to blanket weed. In order for the UV to kill algae, it has to pass through it. Blanket weed doesn't pass through it so it's not very effective in preventing it.

There are also blanket weed treatments. JBL do one that is very effective if your pond is overrun with it.

Regards,

Ken.

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13 Mar 2012 19:32 #13 by JamesG (James Gargan)
Hi guys,

I have a similar algae problem. The algea is long and stringy and almost transparent but when I look closely theres lots of it and it's only Spring. I expect it will get a lot worse in summer. I get the whole bamboo stick thing to try and get it out but it doesn't sound like a long term solution as it's only tidying it up rather than irradicating it!?

While I'm not keen to use chemicals if it's the best solution I will. Can anyone recommend a treatment they might have used before?

I have a UV in my filter but the algae is attached to sides of pond and doesn't pass through it.

Lost another fish this week, to the heron or a cat I imagine. Really pissed off after getting them through the first winter and they were starting to get bigger.

As ever, all suggestions greatfully recieved.

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13 Mar 2012 21:08 #14 by stretnik (stretnik)
Replied by stretnik (stretnik) on topic Re: Pond algae
www.btny.purdue.edu/pubs/apm/apm-1-w.pdf

You can buy this stuff in Garden centres

Kev.

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14 Mar 2012 11:35 #15 by clearly aquatics (mark)
www.evolutionaqua.com/acatalog/STOP_Blanketweed.html

Hi guys great topic.

The stuff we use on all comerial and private jobs Is Evolution Aqua,s Stop blanket weed

See Link below, for dosage rates ect

www.evolutionaqua.com/acatalog/STOP_Blanketweed.html

there are suppliers Nation wide , or from ourselves

i have also attached info Sheet

stephen

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