algaecide for pond scum needed

[JFK52]

The past two years I have had a problem with a thick green coat of algae building up on the surface of my pond. I do not believe it stops any critters from using the pond, it just looks terrible.
Has anyone used an algaecide in an outdoor pond that will prevent this from happening? I am guessing that I will need to start treatements ASAP when the weather gets warmer and continue them throughout the summer. My pond is not that deep at about 3 to 4 feet. I pump fresh well water into it daily during the evenings. So any help or names of chemicals that worked for you with this problem will be appreciated.

 

[H20fwler]

I guess the size of your pond is a big factor..is it a tank or koi pond or a bigger dug pond?

For a bigger pond;
The algae you describe (if it is the hairy floating kind like I get) is not really a bad thing, it doesn't bother wildlife at all. All kinds of water bugs/frogs use it and deer and waterfowl eat it....but it does look unappealing to the eye. The best treatment for that would be some type of copper sulfate program. The treatment will knockout a lot of your plant life if that is what you are looking for. I'm not sure if you could cut the dose to try and only target top water plants or there may be something out there that is an algae only treatment if you don't want to hurt other water plants.
Grass carp will eat the floating kind of algae.

https://www.ruralking.com/copper-su...MIm7Hr_uKg2gIVxoizCh14dgkSEAYYAiABEgIoovD_BwE

For a tank or koi pond just throw a few copper fittings in it.

 

[Telemark]

Have you tried dye?

 

[Tree Spud]

I used this last year successfully in our pond to deal with floating algae. Hand broadcasted along the shore and on the floating stuff in the middle. It worked well.

Cutrine Plus

 

[JFK52]

Is all copper sulfate the same? I have found copper sulfate (CuSO4-5H2O) in 50 pound bags locally that I can buy for $55 picked up at the sellers place. This seems like a good price if it will do the job for me. Does the size of the crystals make a difference?

 

[ruskbucks]

Is all copper sulfate the same? I have found copper sulfate (CuSO4-5H2O) in 50 pound bags locally that I can buy for $55 picked up at the sellers place. This seems like a good price if it will do the job for me. Does the size of the crystals make a difference?

The powder dissolves a lot better, and seems to do better dispersing thru out the water. The disadvantage is it can be messy, if its windy,not something you want to be breathing in. We buy the crystals and put them in a mesh bag and swish it around the algae. It does a decent job, sometimes we have to hit it a couple of times. Check out the Aquacide co out of MN they have some great products for ponds.

 

[JFK52]

I bought a 50 pound bag of copper sulfate and will be picking it up soon. Is there a minimum daytime temperature that is required before this can be applied? Any other tips or tricks for application will be appreciated from anyone who has used this for scum control.

 

[kskid]

Assuming your scum is actually filamentous algae, Cutrine Plus costs more, but is less persistent in the pond sediment. It's also not toxic to fish, particularly eggs and fry. Both can be problems with copper sulfate. Apply early in the season and early in the day. Sunshine and high water temps get better results.

 

[TreeDaddy]

Cutrine Ultra and Clipper works well for me

bill

 

[JFK52]

I used two pounds of copper sulfate per application this summer. I applied it three times about 10 to 14 days apart. It killed the algae dead and did not harm the amphibians in my pond. The remainder of the copper sulfate is being stored in a food grade rectangular 5 gallon plastic bucket with a tight top. It should be good to go in the spring and at that rate I should be able to treat the pond for another 7 years. What a difference getting the algae off the pond!

 

[roymunson]

My understanding is the copper sulfate itself won't hurt the fish, it's the killing of the plant life that'll draw the oxygen out of the water.

I have some I'm having to apply to my pond, going to see if I can get a burlap bag or 3 to steep in the pond