Algae bloom, which is when a water source becomes inundated when algae, is not a pretty sight. It is also bad for fish and other aquatic life. But an algae bloom is even worse when it happens in your water garden and koi pond. Excess algae will turn your beautiful water feature into an ugly, stinky mess. Here are five ways to reduce the algae.

Give It A Good Cleaning

Organic debris provides the phosphates, nitrates, and other nutrients that algae need for food. Excess fish food, dead plants and animals, and a thick layer of sludge on the bottom of the pond liner all lead to ripe conditions for algae overgrowth. Call a pond cleaning service to come and remove some of the sediment from the bottom and clean out any excess vegetation. Then they can treat the water, and after a few weeks, the algae will be under control and you should be able to start again.

Reduce Your Fish Stock

Fish are like any other higher living creature- they eat, they poop, and they require oxygen to live. When you have too many fish, they can deplete the oxygen supply, and couple with the organic matter they produce, they provide the perfect environment for algae to blossom.

Use Additives

Your local pond supply store can provide you with the test strips to test your water and see if it is out-of-balance. Once you know what chemical compounds you have too much of or not enough of, they can recommend natural enzymatic products and bacteria that will help to naturally bring the water quality back into balance.

Make Sure Your Pond Isn't Getting Runoff

Runoff is when pesticides or even your dog's feces are rained on and then that water finds its way to your pond. A pond naturally sits lowest in your yard, which makes it susceptible to runoff. To change this, a retaining wall should be built around the pond. This can be a rock ledge, a cement barrier, or piled-up gravel that is graded in a slope away from the pond.

Use Plants To Limit Sunlight

Algae relies on the sun for photosynthesis like any other plant. Use live plants and ferns around the perimeter of the pond to help reduce their food source. Think towards the future and plant shrubs, hedges, and trees that will further limit the pond's sun exposure in the coming years.