Guide to Different Types of Pond Algae

Knowing which types of algae you have is important to ensure you select the right algae treatment for ponds and understand whether a pond UV steriliser would be beneficial.

There are thousands of pests and harmful microbes, so it is essential to choose the right pond filters and pond filter foam to keep them at bay!

Here the AllPondSolutions team explains some of the most common algae types and which pond treatments you need to keep them under control.

Why Identifying Algae Is Important for Pond Treatments

Aquatic algae organisms come in eight main groups, and recognising a species can help ensure your algae treatment for ponds is well suited to manage them.

Of the most powerful weapons in your algae arsenal, a pond UV steriliser is up there as an advanced way to clarify your water quality. Please visit our selection of Pond UV Sterilisers for more information!

Some algae are beneficial, but others can be harmful. Species like Cyanobacteria often indicate stagnant water with low oxygen levels, so you know that you need either replacement pond pumps and pond filters or hardier pond filter foam.

Any excess of algae is harmful and can cause fish fatalities, so the first step is to consider pond water treatments or high-performance Pond Filters to protect the pond ecosystem.

Green Water Algae Pond Treatments

If your pond water turns into pea soup, you probably have green water algae - which can be a healthy food source for fish and birds.

However, an overgrowth can deplete oxygen levels and be harmful.

Blue-Green Algae in Garden Ponds

Blue-green algae are surface organisms, which thrive in shallow, warm water. They appear as scum on the surface and can be blue-green or a range of other colours!

One of the first signs of these algae is a pungent smell, or water testing kits can assess whether you have these algae blooms in your pond (note that gloves are advised since the toxins emitted can be dangerous).

Using Pond Treatments to Manage String Algae

Another common algae look like strands of underwater hair and stick to ornaments, liners and rocks.

These algae are a good source of nutrition for young fish, birds, and pond insects and also produce oxygen - however, you'll want to keep blooms at a manageable level to avoid blocking sunlight or clogging your pond filters.

The Impact of Euglena Algae on Ponds

Our fourth algae are a distinctive species, usually red or deep green and extremely toxic.

These algae can cause the death of fish and pond plants, so they must be treated quickly.

The only effective solution is to replace your water or use powerful Pond Treatments to eliminate the algae before it causes further damage.

Chara Algae in Garden Pond Ecosystems

Finally, you might come across Chara algae, green algae that aren't overly harmful to ponds or fish, although they can be a little strong smelling!

These algae are also known as filter algae and remove pollutants and contribute oxygen to the water, so it is one of the less concerning blooms.

We'd always recommend looking at a suitable algae treatment for ponds, though, if your pond filters are struggling or the blooms are becoming overgrown.