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How do I get algae out of my garden pond?

I have a small garden pond that is partly shaded. Last year it did great, and had no algae. This year it has only been running for about 3 weeks and the sides are all covered with green algae. Right now I only have one plant that is starting to plants its roots. The pond does have a waterfall. I need to know what I can do to kill the algae but not my plant. I will also be putting small goldfish in it at some point this summer. Can someone please help, my green pond is embarrasing? The algae is not stringy and the water is clear. I think I will just leave it and see what happens. I didn't even think about the cycle process. I have three fish tanks inside and my healthiest one has algae growing on the rocks. I guess my pond and tanks are basically the same in this sense

Public Comments

1. You'll need to use an algaecide. Algaecide is a chemical treatment for swimming pools, fish ponds and other 'water features' that kills algae. Algae are very small organisms that grow in water or very damp environments. Algae in pools and ponds can cause the water to become cloudy, and in some cases can form a scum over the surface that blocks the sunlight from the water. Algae is the cause of the peculiar 'red tide' phenomenon, in which the ocean appears to be covered in blood. Usually algae is unsightly, yet it can also be dangerous —- certain kinds of algae give off toxins that can be hazardous to humans, fish and plants. A commercial algaecide is a quick and easy way to remove algae from your pool or pond. When you use an algaecide in your swimming pool, it allows you to use less chlorine for water purification, resulting in water than is more pleasant to swim in, without the stinging eyes and nose that too much chlorine can cause. Regular use of algaecide also prolongs the life of your water filtration systems, as there is less plant material to clog the filters and intakes of your pump. Select an algaecide with a view to whether you are treating a swimming pool or a fish pond. Some algaecides aren't suitable for use in water which contains living fish, so read the label and follow directions closely. Even too much of an algaecide intended for fish ponds can be harmful to your fish, and change the Ph levels of the water too radically for healthy fish. Algaecide can be purchased online, but to make sure you get all your questions answered, visit a local nursery that supplies water feature materials.
2. I don't understand why you or anyone else would find algae "embarrassing." If you study ponds in nature you will see they all have algae - and sometimes a lot of it - at certain times of the year. It is part of the natural life cycle of a pond. Algae grows as a result of an excess of nutrients in a body of water. You'll get too much algae if you fertilize the area around a pond or let chemicals or other nutrients flow into it. You will also get too much algae if you overfeed fish in a pond. I have a one-acre pond and it is presently about 30% covered with algae which rises to the top on a clear still day. It is providing cover for various small creatures who lay their eggs under it and on it. I'm certain it will disappear in due course. I would never recommend the use of an algicide. Any time you start to "adjust" the natural ecology of a pond - or anything else - you are asking for trouble. Nothing is ever quite right from that moment on. Unless the algae is covering more than 50% of the pond's surface at all times, there really is no need for concern. Let the pond find its own balance and you'll be a lot happier in the long run.
3. go down to the local nursery / aquarium they sell a range of products that will clear any pond type
4. but is the water CLEAR????.... the algae on the sides is of no matter if the water is clear.... algae on sides is where fish would graze for food.... it's good that it's there.... I'm speaking of plain old algae, not the long hairy stuff.... if your water is clear, and there's nothing clouding it, your pond is trying very hard to 'balance' itself and become 'natural'...... at this point , do nothing but add a little microbe-lift to get the goodies in the filter working even better!!!.... get some at any pond store even Lowe's..... gold fish?... yeah... good move.... take care to acclimate the bag they are in to your water temp for several hours before letting them loose..... they'll hide for a week or more... but soon will come up to eyeball you!!.... be very careful about what you put in the pond after you get the fishies!!.....don't upset that balance!!... getcha some test strips, too.... you'll need them.....
5. Had the same problem in my pond. Solved it by getting water lettuce-a plant that floats on the top and sends roots into the water. My pond is now crystal clear and my fish love to hide under the plants when the sun is too hot
6. Algae are perfectly natural, so unless the water is like pea soup I would just leave it and let it clear naturally. Algae growth is caused by two things: increased water temperature and increased nitrogen in the water, so you have to reduce these to keep the algae down. I do not recommend algicides. They are a short term fix, but who wants to add poison to the water. -- Keep the water nitrogen down: - Avoid run off. Make sure that rain water is not running over your yard and into the pond. - Change some of the water. If your water is nitrogen rich, then taking half of it out and adding fresh water will dilute it somewhat. - Get rid of any leaves or dead plant debris in the pond. These add nitrogen. - When you get fish, don't feed them. There is plenty natural food in the water and feeding just adds to the nitrogen burden. -- Keep the water cooler - Grow a surface plant like water lily to shade the surface of the pond. - run a small waterfall or fountain to reduce the temperature by evaporative cooling. Algae blooms tend to cure themselves as the algae die off, but you still have all that dead algae at the bottom of the pond, which traps nitrogen and will break down releasing the nitrogen. To avoid this, you can install a small filter that will take out the algae. A sponge bio-filter works very well.
7. Copper sulfate is used to kill algae. But that and anything else you put in the water to kill algae will probably kill the plants too.