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Green water in pond how do I get rid

yoweeyahoo2yoweeyahoo2 Posts: 30
in Problem solving

Hey

Ive recently put a bath in at my allotment and used water from an existing water butt to fill it.

Its green and wondered what I could do to get rid of this, would be good to get it clear?

Ive just added barley straw but can anyone suggest any other remedies?

I don't want to drain it again if need be....

thanks in advance


paul

Posts

  • Buzzy2Buzzy2 Posts: 135
    If it is for watering, it will be fine, you may have green plants though.
    you could put oxygenating plants in, but it would take time!
  • micearguersmicearguers Posts: 646
    Barley straw works pretty well for ponds (where oxygenating plants may make an additional difference). It may take a while to have an effect. Is it for watering, a pond, or taking baths?
  • yoweeyahoo2yoweeyahoo2 Posts: 30

    sorry ive confused everyone

    id just like to have clearer water so I can see the tadpoles , plantes etc,Im not going to use the water (its there for the frogs,snails plant etc)

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    If you have sunk the bath to create a pond, I think greenish water comes with the territory. Ponds are supposed to be green :)
  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    Make sure you have some "steps" inside the bath, else frogs and newts will be able to get in, but may not be able to get out. Ditto hedgehogs if they happen to stumble in. Strategically placed rocks (or at a pinch, bricks) will do and will also make hidey holes for things. And birds will have somewhere to perch while they drink. I guess I'm saying "make a shallow end".
  • paul_in_surreypaul_in_surrey Posts: 239
    In this edition of GW Nick Bailey makes a small pond and says he uses some dye that stops algae growing for 3 months per application. Don't know if it works, but I enjoyed the segment, which runs from about 23 minutes in.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ1Y4640LF4

    “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill
  • Fishy65Fishy65 Posts: 2,276
    Hi yoweeyahoo. Green water comes about due to a natural algae bloom which will occur a week or two after adding tap water. It will clear on its own once the algae has gobbled up the nutrients in the water. If you wish to accelerate this process, introduce some higher plants such as water lilies and irises. Maybe some oxygenating plants such as hornwort, these plants will maintain a healthy balance and prevent algae blooms in the future.

    As for amphibians, they need some means of access to facilitate entering and leaving the water. You could use rocks combined with gravel to create a 'slope' or steps. If you can, try to make a shallow end as any tadpoles will prefer shallow water where temperatures are higher. Good luck  :)
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