Snails and Algae in the Pond
Just got this question from a customer:
“I live in Green Bay so right now my 1200 gallon pond is mostly iced over except where the heater and fountain is. I have an extreme amount of string algae growing this winter. We have 11 Koi ranging in size from 10″ to 16″ and 2 comets about 10″ long. We also have about 8-10 baby comets and 2 dozen baby Koi,all 2″-4” long. We plan on getting rid of all the babies this spring. We had heard that Japanese trapdoor snails could help control algae, and have tried introducing about 200 of them last summer. The snails didn’t control all the algae last summer, but some. The problem I now have is I need to find an algae control product that is also safe for my snails. Many products that I read about are not safe for crustaceans, which I assume to be snails also. Do you have any products that would work for me? Also, any tips for controlling algae in winter? Thank you.
I have never heard that about snails but as for me, snails leave as much waste behind as they devour. I know you ask 10 different pond people the same question, you will probably get 15 different answers but I would use AlgaeFix with a Beneficial bacteria product like Cold Water Beneficial Bacteria (Water temp between 45 and 60 degrees) or Beneficial Bacteria – Dry by Aquascape (when the water warms under 60 degrees) to combat the string algae rather than snails. AlgaeFix and EcoBlast by Aquascape are NOT temperature sensitive so they can be used in cold water.”
ThePondOutlet Response:
I have never heard that about snails but as for me, snails leave as much waste behind as they devour. I know you ask 10 different pond people the same question, you will probably get 15 different answers but I would use AlgaeFix with a Beneficial bacteria product like Cold Water Beneficial Bacteria (Water temp between 45 and 60 degrees) or Beneficial Bacteria – Dry by Aquascape (when the water warms under 60 degrees) to combat the string algae rather than snails. AlgaeFix and EcoBlast by Aquascape are NOT temperature sensitive so they can be used in cold water
Also, Snails are NOT Crustaceans. See below:
Snails
Clams, snails, and crustaceans are invertebrates. Clams and snails are in the phylum Mollusca. Mollusks have soft bodies usually enclosed in a thin hard shell made of calcium. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses the generic term “clam” to refer to clams and mussels, but there are physical and reproductive differences between the two creatures. In general, mussels are larger than clams and have an oblong lopsided shell, as opposed to the round symmetrical shell of the clam.
Crustaceans are a large class of creatures with a hard exoskeleton, appendages, and antennae. This class includes lobsters, shrimps, and crabs
Snails belong to the class Gastropoda of mollusks. Snails typically have an external spiral-shaped shell and a distinct head that includes sensory organs. Snails inhabit terrestrial (land), marine, and freshwater.
I pulled the info below off of PondCare’s website.
Hope this helps,
Richard
| Product FAQs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Technical Reference Sheet for PondCare® AlgaeFix® |
Purpose And Benefits:Effectively controls many types of green or green water algae, string or hair algae and blanketweed in ponds that contain live plants. Controls existing algae and helps resolve additional algae blooms. Keeps ornamental ponds and water gardens clean & clear. E.P.A. Registration #8709-8. Can be used in ponds with plants! Directions For Use:Add 1 teaspoonful for every 50 gallons of pond/fountain water or 1/2 cup for every 1,200 gallons. Thoroughly mix into pond/fountain by adding near the pump outflow, waterfall, or aeration device. Can be mixed in a bucket of pond/fountain water and dispersed evenly around the pond/fountain. Repeat application every 3 days until algae is controlled. Be prepared to siphon out dead filamentous algae. Once algal growth is under control, add one application per week. Weekly treatments will control algal growth and reduce pond/fountain maintenance. Compatibility:Before using AlgaeFix, make certain that the pond has vigorous aeration, (a fountain, waterfall or aeration device) especially during hot summer months. In summer heat, pond water contains very little oxygen. In sunlight, algae and submerged plants produce oxygen, and in some cases may be the major source of oxygen in the pond. At night, however, submerged plants and algae actually consume oxygen. Decomposing organic matter also consumes oxygen, even after it is removed by the filter. Until the filter is changed, decomposing organic matter may still cause the oxygen level to drop to harmful levels if adequate aeration is not provided. Therefore, when using AlgaeFix, especially during the warm summer months, adequate aeration is required to keep oxygen levels healthy for your fish. Do not shut off pond pumps or aeration devices at night! Aeration must be provided to pond life at all times. Caution: Do not use AlgaeFix with crustaceans, including: crabs, shrimp, freshwater shrimp, and freshwater lobsters. Sizes Available:#169A – 8 oz (237 ml) bottle treats 2,400 U.S. gallons (9,072 L) #169B – 16 oz (473 ml) bottle treats 4,800 U.S. gallons (81,144 L) #169G – 32 oz (946 ml) bottle treats 9,800 U.S. gallons (36,340 L) #169D – 64 oz (1.89 L) bottle treats 19,200 U.S. gallons (72,576 L) #169C – 1 gallon (3.78 L) bottle treats 38,400 US gallons (145,344 L) #169J – 2.5 gallon (9.45 L) bottle treats 96,000 US gallons (363,400 L) |
AlgaeFix
Posted on: Sunday, January 31st, 2010 at 7:03 pm 
Pond News, Questions and Answers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
This is very helpful! thanks for the detailed answer.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:51 pmRecommend starting with manual removal (net, rake, etc.) That will then give the fish a chance. Don’t know your ratio of fish to pond volume – you might want to add fish (like small catfish or more comets). In my experience, an algal problem problem like that is all about balance, amount of nutrients in the water, etc.
One way to take nutrients out of the water is with bog plants along the edge (or even better, suspended along the edge or from an island). They draw nutrients for their own growth and minimize the nutrients available to the undesirable algae.
j
February 21st, 2010 at 8:25 amRight on JMartin!
February 24th, 2010 at 4:36 pm