Control Pond Algae with Cutrine-Plus

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Control Pond Algae with Cutrine-Plus

This article will briefly touch on the pros and cons of owning a pond and the maintenance that comes with it. Controlling pond algae with a product like Cutrine-Plus will maintain your pond sludge and other dead organic material with the use of beneficial bacteria. Feeding fish and types of fish most suitable for your pond is another subject that we will briefly touch on.

Owning a pond can be a wonderful experience for friends and family. Depending on the type of lake or pond you have will greatly influence the amount of work and maintenance required to control your pond water clarity, control unwanted algae growth keeping you pond in tip top condition. The types of fish you choose to stock your lake or pond with will also determine your ability to maintaining a healthy aquatic balance.

There are three basic types of pond algae common in the US, planktonic algae, filamentous algae and chara/nitella algae. Most healthy ponds will have a certain amount of algae, algae is natural to the environment, part of the echo system and essential to a healthy pond. Over feeding of fish is a common mistake and can cause an increased in nitrogen levels causing algae to grow out of control. Farm runoff can also cause an increase in phosphorous and nitrates levels. This will cause planktonic, filamentous, chara/nitella and other aquatic plants to grow out of control.

Cutrine-Plus is a great product when used properly it will effectively control algae. Cutrine-plus is a chelate copper or (copper triethanolamine chelate). Cutrine-Plus is often used with Cide-Kick II as a product enhancer. Cutrine-Plus chelated formula is a safer alternative for fish and stays in the water longer than copper sulfate (blue stone) maximizing the effectiveness of the product.

After treating the pond with Cutrine-Plus it is always a good idea to clean up the sludge and scum in the bottom of the pond with a beneficial bacteria water clarifier and sludge digester. Bacteria will digest and eat away the slimy sludge at the bottom of your lake or pond converting organic matter into water and carbon dioxide. Good beneficial bacteria can be the key to a healthy clear pond.

What type of fish do I stock my pond with? Natural fish are always the best way to go in my opinion. They are relatively easy to take care of and require the least amount of maintenance. Bass, blue gill and catfish would be my first choice. There is always the option of Koi fish. They are typically found in a small back yard pond in the range of 1,000-5,000 gallons of water and require more maintenance. Copper products like the Cutrine-Plus will most likely kill your Koi fish, another option for controlling algae in a Koi pond is Green Clean. This is a product that was designed with Koi fish in mind.

Again, I think it is important to reiterate the importance of using caution when applying any chemical such as Cutrine Plus or Green Clean, be sure to consult the MSDS and safety data sheets for directions. Always check with your local municipality before application of any algaecide, some states may require permits for the application of algaecide products into private, public lakes pond and streams. Check with your local authorities to be certain.

By: Bradley Skierkowski