Blanket Weed

[BJR]

I have a water feature that was constructed to look like a natural creek bed. It is in a very sunny position. The problem is BLANKET WEED. Because of the excesss sunlight the weed is prolific. I have tried many remedies to combat the problem and providing more shade is imbrobable.

Any suggestions as to betting rid of this menace. I currently spend app 1 hour every 2nd week removing it by hand.

[Will Pacala]

Barley wheat cubes or squares may help. Also introduce some wildlife into that water feature. Fish, turtles and black Japanese snails will help cut down on the algae growth. they should eat the weeds.

Also the barley cubes somehow combat against algea and weeds such as what you have. Otherwise .......???????????

[BJR]

I tried the barley pellets and also mixed them with lavender as a local expert recommended. It did help a little, but tuned the water very dark, which I didn't like. But I suppose that dark water is better than green slime.

Thanks for the reply.

[Will Pacala]

Your Welcom, That should help but it's only my 2 cents. Anyone???

[Will Pacala]

Also try those fish and animals for the algae. I don't usually like doing this but worst comes to worst use some weed treating chemicals. That should do the trick, any input from anyone else??

[Nek]

Have you tried the additive which blocks out the UV rays??? Gives the water a bluish tint. Are you running any sort of filter?? Although being photosynthetic, the algae is also feeding off of DOCS(dissolved organic coumpounds---nitrates) in the water.

[BJR]

I have a large biological filter installed.

The water feature consists of a small water fall of app 1ft into a pond of app 3ft x 3ft x 4in deep, then there is a cascade of app 5ft into another pond about double the top pond, then another cascade of app 5ft into a large bottom pond of app 6ft x 5ft x 3ft deep. I have lillies in the bottom pond.

The main algal problem is in the top ponds, cascades and top waterfall, which are in full sun. The blanket weed is the only algal problem I have.

I have never heard of anything that blocks out UV. I will phone around today to find some.

Thanks Nek.

[Will Pacala]

When was the last time that filter or net was either cleaned or replaced???? That may be the source of your problem.

[Nek]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=5503&Ne=40000&R=9985&Nao=45&N=62728+112989


And this sounds promising, although I never used it.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=5432&R=9898&N=62728+112989+113566&in_merch=1

[Will Pacala]

Been there before, nice stuff.

[BJR]

I clean it every few months as required.

I also forgot to mention that we get an enormous amount of native bird life bathing in the cascades and ponds. Their droppings wouldn't be helping.

[BJR]

Thanks for the links Nek.

[Will Pacala]

no not at all. it sounds to me like the pond/stream is in a bad location to begin with. Maybe some small shade trees or bushes may help with the problem of weed growth.