Pond owners spend time, money and patience building a beautiful koi fish pond only to have their hard work threatened by unsightly algae. This stringy green nuisance has plagued most koi
ponds at one time or another. However, increasing the aerobic bacteria activity as part of a routine koi pond maintenance program will lead to the control of the slimy green nemesis.
Actually, algae is not the problem. It is a symptom of a larger problem, which is the nutrient level and oxygen content in the koi pond. Algae feed on the nutrients in the pond and when
the nutrient level becomes high, algae will bloom and grow very quickly. Small amounts of algae in a koi pond is healthy, as it does add oxygen back into the water, however too much of a
good thing is bad. To help remedy this problem, excess nutrients need to be removed.
There is only so much that can be done to limit the nutrients that get into a pond. The most common sources are koi food and the koi fecal matter. Since koi have to eat and they have to
use the bathroom, the best bet will be to remove the nutrients once they get into the water. A healthy, natural way to do this is through the addition of a microbial product, like Natural
Enviro 4000 (www.naturalenviro.com), that increases the aerobic bacteria levels in the pond. The increase in aerobic bacteria will break down the nutrients before the algae have a chance
to utilize it, breaking the algae life cycle. The microbes will also release oxygen into the pond, which aids in the reduction of turbidity and eliminates odors from stagnant pond
water.
Aerobic bacteria (microbes) are naturally occurring and are present in most all koi ponds. However, it is when their levels become diminished or outnumbered by anaerobic bacteria that
supplementation with a microbial product is beneficial. Another benefit to microbial products as part of a koi pond maintenance program is that they are compatible with, and often
enhanced by, many other maintenance products like biological filters, aerators and fountains. In addition to maintenance, microbes are also effective as a treatment and preventative of
algae and nutrient overload.
The bottom line is, koi fish ponds are meant to be an aesthetic delight and a reflection of the owners vision and hard work. While not inherently harmful, algae is a nuisance and an eye
sore that is not a welcome addition to a koi pond. However, with proper aeration and a quality microbial product, a koi pond can be a clean, beautiful, healthy oasis for the koi and the
owner.
Contact: Casey Coke
Natural Environmental Systems, L.L.C.
5000 Quorum Dr. #300
Dallas, TX 75254
Toll Free: 800-999-9345
www.naturalenviro.com