Algae are chlorophyll-containing plants which could possibly be single-celled, individual organisms, or colonies or mats. Algae colonies or mats may readily spread by breaking into little pieces and continuing to grow. The spores germinate and tissues grow when ideal light levels, moisture and nutrients are found. Aeration in your pond can decrease algae, but it won’t quit algae development altogether.
Aeration and Preventing Algae
Nitrogen and phosphate levels are controlled in your pond via dissolved oxygen. The substance that falls to a pond requires oxygen to decompose, and lots of aquatic organisms in the pond, such as fish, require oxygen to process food. When you have a lot of decomposing waste in your own pond, the natural oxygen levels may drop significantly, causing sulfur and phosphate levels to climb. This increase in nutrients results in aggressive algal blooms. Adding dissolved oxygen to your pond via aeration can help reduce the incidence of algae blooms by eliminating their food resources. When you increase oxygen levels in the pond, the present beneficial aerobic bacteria may also thrive and are better able to compete with algae for nutrients.
Factors Contributing to Algae Growth
Outdoor water sources almost always have some form of algae development, irrespective of how much dissolved oxygen is in the water. The quantity and variety of algae you will have in your pond is dependent upon many elements. Stagnant water and shallow pond thickness can increase algae blooms, as will high levels of nutrients in your pond, especially nitrogen and potassium, which are a fertilizer resources for algae. Decaying organic matter, such as grass clippings, plant debris, fish food, fish waste and fluid, releases nitrogen into the water typically in the form of ammonia, which in a healthy pond is turned into nitrite and then to nitrate. Nitrate is much less toxic to aquatic life than ammonia or nitrite, and may be used by plants. Excess decomposing waste and fluid also create phosphate. Even though phosphate is beneficial to soil, it is not as beneficial to ponds, since it is a root cause of algae development.
Kinds of Aerators
Aerators supply a supply of dissolved oxygen to your pond, which helps decay waste and decrease ideal conditions for algae blooms. You have many options for aerator systems, but they may be categorized into two forms. Both types of aerator provide diffused oxygen to your pond, however, the ideal aerator for the pond depends upon the size and thickness. Surface aerators, such as fountains or waterfalls, create a spray of water above the surface of the pond water. This is ideal for small, shallow ponds less than 6 feet deep, but larger ponds need aeration in a deeper level. Diffused aerators use compressors to inject air at the base of your pond, where it bubbles up to the surface.
Aeration Effectiveness
According to Purdue University, aerators help remove phosphorous from the pond water, which reduces the incidence of algae, however aeration alone won’t prevent algae growth entirely, especially when phosphorus continues to be introduced into the pond. Your pond environment is greatly improved if you add an aerator, but should youn’t address other factors which influence algae development, such as nutrients entering the pond via grass clippings or fluid runoff, you will still have issues with algae.