Getting rid of algae in a stock pond?

[Patton]

Get a couple of those algae eating carp. They will flat clean a pond up in no time. We have a 4 acre lake that was seriously covered in algae. Put a couple of the carp in and now we don't see any algae. Plus the carp weigh around 30 lbs each now so they are quite the novelty to see.

A friend and fellow TBHr had this done at the recommendation of a biologist a few years ago- now there isn't a lick of vegetation in there because the carp have eaten it all.

[unclefish]

Cutrine Plus works but I wouldn't use it every year....it does not biodegrade and stays with the pond forever. Copper builds up and can leave the pond bottom sterile so nothing will grow.

Mozambique tilapia work pretty darn well on FA and die when the temp hits ~50 degrees.

[Playa]

If I'm not mistaken you have to get state permission for grass carp... and put up a carp fence on the spillway.

Copper sulfate around the edges is how we suggest handling it, not direct application, it will defiantly get the job done

we had a permit at one time and have the fence.

[Chad C]

Stock Talapia, I stock them annually!

[Texifornia]

We use copper sulfate in our "swimming" tank...it's works ok but not the best and it will turn your tank artificial cloudy blue.

Is this cutrine safe for livestock?

Curtine has copper sulfate in it.

[catslayer]

A friend and fellow TBHr had this done at the recommendation of a biologist a few years ago- now there isn't a lick of vegetation in there because the carp have eaten it all.

We have this... wish we had stocked half the number we did so we might have SOME veg... like 5-10% coverage...

[Patton]

We have this... wish we had stocked half the number we did so we might have SOME veg... like 5-10% coverage...

Yeah they were stocked 7 years ago and there is still no grass in the pond. About a 4-6 inch deep layer of moss on the bottom and thats it. Used to have tons of ducks in the 5acre tank. Not anymore. We still see the big grass carp finning occasionally, going to go after them this weekend.

[Chad C]

Don't use carp

[sailor]

You do what you want,but copper sulfate,is a heavy metal.
And will stay in your pond for decades.
Corn meal....There I've said it twice...That's the best I can do.
Let the flaming begin.

[Whale]

Tagged

[4_Fingers]

Top pond picture shows mostly Filamentous Algea. Copper Sulfate (or Cutrine) will cure that (and is approved for that use), but don't treat entire pond at one time or it can kill the fish as the algae breaks down, depleting the oxygen (a lot has to do with the time of year and water temps - if cooler, you can treat larger areas). If you have, and want to get rid of the water primrose (shown in the second pic), you can do it a few ways. if there is no run off, you could use Round up with a surfactant (e.g. Ivory dishwashing soap). it breaks the wax layer on the leaves and lets the poison sink in. There may be laws against doing this if it runs off in to other water sources. Just sayin i know it works. Also, Tilapia do a great job of controlling the algae. But they die when water temps drop below 60ish. So may have to deal with a few days of stink. Would not recommend grass carp, and would get rid of them if at all possible. Especially in a small pond.

[eltacs]

Where do you buy TILAPIA FOR A POND ??

[quarterback]

If I'm not mistaken you have to get state permission for grass carp... and put up a carp fence on the spillway.

Copper sulfate around the edges is how we suggest handling it, not direct application, it will defiantly get the job done

Not sure what all hoops our homeowners association had to jump through to get the carp but all I can say is that the pond is very nice looking now, not very much vegetation and the bass are thriving. Not to mention it looks much better than before. I guess it's a balance you strike just like anything else.

Don't use carp

Why do you suggest not using carp?

[drop dead fred]

Tagged

[Roscoe]

Tilapia are great on filamentous algae. I add them to our ponds every year. I even toss 1 in our little in ground decorative pond at the house every year.