updated March 2019
When left unchecked algae has a damaging effect. It uses up oxygen and ruins the look of your pond and certainly doesn’t look pretty.
Although fish will eat algae, it discolors ponds and quickly overruns contained water.
How can algae growth be controlled?
UV rays are a key factor to enable photosynthesis* to occur and the formation of plant food. Without them algae and weeds are unable to survive.
*Photosynthesis is the process through which plants produce their own food by the use of sunlight.
By using a product that prevents sunlight from penetrating to the bottom of the pond water where unwanted weeds and algae are growing, their growth is hampered.
Solution
Pond algae can be controlled with ‘Aqua Shade’ Organic Plant Growth Control.
The shade that Aquashade dye creates in the pond traps some parts of the light spectrum that are important for the process of photosynthesis. Blocking these ultra violet rays stops them reaching underwater weeds and algae. By inhibiting this process they can’t survive.
Are fish and pond plants affected?
The pond dye only affects plants which means fish and other water animals will not be harmed. This makes it a favorite weed control method for many fish farmers.
It’s EPA registered as a safe addition to water for the purpose of slowing down or stopping underwater weed and algae growth.
- The effectiveness of Aquashade is limited to underwater growth. This means that lilies and algae growing on the surface can still thrive.
- You can use it safely in a pond or aquarium stocked with goldfish, koi and other decorative fish.
The water can still be used for other purposes such as cleaning around your house. It also means that you won’t have problems with environmental management agencies as the water has no effect on sea animals when it flows out of the pond.
When your fish are fed with well-balanced commercial food they don’t need the algae to survive and ponds need to be kept clean to keep your fish healthy.
- Note: If you want to treat surface algae it can be controlled by using EPS approved herbicides and algaecides.
"Aquashade is an excellent way to add color to your pond while controlling algae and plankton growth. I’ve used Aquashade for years and highly recommend it.” Serena Harris
Does it look natural?
The pond is visually appealing. It has a beautiful blue oceanic (aqua-blue) color that blends well with the sun rays to create a stunning effect.
And yes, the pond and its surrounding landscape appear as a naturally occurring feature. That’s the true beauty because it looks natural…nothing fake looking here. The pond looks clean and fresh.
When should I start using it?
Our recommendation is to use it even in the early stages of creating your pond to effectively clear unwanted algae and aquatic weeds.
- Controlling the algae growth is the key.
It’s important to note this distinction: Aquashade does not kill algae but prevents its growth.
The effects can also be long term in a pond when it’s used for long periods. Algae slowly dies out due to the lack of sufficient sunlight.
Maintenance
The effectiveness of Aquashade slowly fades over time which will allow sunlight to pass through to the weeds at the bottom of the pond. This means that you should spray or pour more dye from time to time in order to maintain the shading effect.
With just a little bit of maintenance, monitoring the concentration of the dye in the water you’ll be able to preserve the attractive aqua-blue color in the water at all times.
What’s most appealing about the product is that it not only makes the pond more beautiful, but it’s easy to use and an effective pond algae treatment.
