Blanketweed filamentous or string algae problem solved for all ponds
STOP PRESS ... written long after this article was created
Please visit a new site where I discuss in detail the only real solution to blanketweed in any pond pond. This is exciting news for pond keepers with blanketweed
Blanket weed is that long slimy algae that seems to grow and grow and can never be eradicated. Many pondkeepers never see it and others are never without it.
It is an area of pondkeeping not well understood and many of the suggested solutions do not always work.
UV lights are no good because the algae is not exposed to the light it remains in the pond.
Often even when there is lots of blanket weed the water is crystal clear.
This is because the blanketweed is starving other algae out of existence.
Water quality certainly plays a role in blanketweed development but this is not the whole story since even the best pondkeepers can get this problem.
I do not have a good solution -only commiserations if you have it.
By improving the balance between plants in the pond and reducing fish density and therefore reduced feeding the tendency to get blanketweed will be reduced but not necessarily eradicated.
Plants in ponds compete with the algae for the "fertilisers" produced by the fish as explained earlier.
Recent product developments particularly around barley straw products have been encouraging but does not always work it seems.
Be careful when buying chemicals to kill blanketweed make sure they do not kill anything else including plants, fish, filter bacteria, birds that drink the water etc.