pond going green

hey there
I am new to ponds and recently built a 500l pond
I have stocked it with 7 small koi.
I have a ultra zap zap filter that is rated for ponds of up to 2200l
My problem is the pond water is going green.(more of a light green)
I got no uv clarifier.
the bottom of the pond has no sludge
and the water if taken out in a clear container is pretty clear.
but in the pond it has a green colour.
the pond is now 3-4 months old.
I have done numerous large water changes but they don't help.
the pond gets sun from 10am-1pm.
Anyone got ny suggestions?
Thank you

 

there is no substrate its bare bottom.will upload photos later.i have an arum lilie growing and I two there plants not sure of the name. No back up plan but probably sell and get new ones.

 

It sounds like an algae bloom, is the pond in full sun?

 

It’s gets some sun from 10 to 1

 

Here are pictures just done a water change

 

Yes! more plants to create shade and help with bio filtration. I would add some floaters on top as well. It just tiny algae in your water-the filter doesn't create movement so it will happen in exposed ponds

 

what size uv clarifier would be recommended

 

what plants are the best

 

I would suggest you get more plants.

You could get either a UV Clarifier, or UV Steriliser in 15W or even 30W.
Ultra Zap manufactures both.
The difference between the 2 is that clarifier only kills waterborne algae, while the steriliser also kills waterborne pathogens.
Common problems like Ich become a thing of the past with a Steriliser.
Install the UV in-line just before the filter.
That way any pathogens and algae are taken care of, yet beneficial bacteria in the filter is not affected.

The greenish water seems to be an algae bloom.
Even though the water looks quite clear in the bucket, the algae is in your water column.

What media do you have in the filter?

 

I have a three sponges , 2 sheets of filter floss and half filled with bio cubes
okay thanks maybe a uv is a good idea. Do they consume a lot of electrical Energy?
This is all new to me. I have a marine reef tank and three fish tanks and never experienced continues algae growth in water coulomb.

 

would this uv be good?

 

What I used to do with my dirted pond in PTA is add barley straw. You can add it in a mesh bag in your filter. As it decomposes it releases a minor amount of humic acids which naturally clears algae over time. Takes about 3 weeks for the straw to start decomposing though. No additives or chemicals required. Worked wonders for my dwarf tilapia pond.

That or as suggested earlier just add enough plants (floating preferably) that can out compete the algae for nutrients and partially shade the pond preventing too much sunlight from penetrating through. You can also try cutting down on feeding a bit. Make sure no pellets are left over after feeding. Over time as the cycle stabilises and your plants grow, your pond should find its balance, you just need to be patient.

 

Ag no man ... now you have gone and done it .. Love the pond ... I so need to get my old one going - for guppies - what else ;-)

Greenwater is not all bad, as long as nothing smells fishy. That said, creating a bog like planted area would help to get the balance going way faster - nothing fancy. Anything with wet feet should be good - try and keep the water in the pond for the fish and plants just part of the return flow. Big fish love to eat plants, esp the roots so that might be counter unless you go all potted. Personally I dislike adding UV, 1 cost 2 maintenance ... if you can live with the process of adding natural filtration - then your results might be way better in the long run.


No rush - consider that your fish have a life expectancy of around 15 years if you do your job to create a great eco-system for them - so think long term sustainability.


Thanks for posting the pics - great inspiration.

Later Ferdie

 

Convicts?

 

Thank you for all the advice
Think I am going to try the plant method

 

For the barley
Where will I find them and is there anything I should looo for when buying them. Also how often should they be changed