I’ve got a problem with a pond and algae and calcium deposits. Have called a number of pond contractors, pool outfits and landscapers all to no avail.
We have a good-sized backyard pond, made of concrete with lots of embedded boulders that make up a few waterfalls. Use a recirculating pump, and there is a float device to keep up the level as water evaporates.
The rocks are desert granite, very rough surfaces, and the concrete parts of the pond are also rough surface.
Unfortunately, in AZ where the sun shines all the time (well, during the day, mostly), and there is no shade, green algae thrives unless heroic measures are taken.
I can pretty much control it by using chlorine tablets and testing it frequently. Have to use more in the summer, but if I keep the level up, the water stays pretty clear. Also use an algaecide now and then.
If I’m away or otherwise miss a few days and the chlorine level gets low, the pond water turns to a pea soup* color. Then all can do is drain the pond, clean it up and refull.
Problem 2: the water is very hard, so no matter what I do, eventually get a line of white residue along the water line and around the waterfalls. This cannot be removed by wirebrushing nor washing nor sandblasting. I am assuming it is the calcium and other minerals leaching out. However, I also have the feeling that part of it may be from the high level of chlorine I need to use to stop the algae.
I’ve been told controlling the pH level will help, but to adjust it would have to use gallons of acid every day, which is not practical.
After trying everything to prevent this and found no easy way to remove it, my artist wife figured out the only thing to do is paint over it with a mixture of several waterproof concrete paints we found. She is so good at it, nobody can tell which are the natural rock colors and what she has painted.
This is a royal pain, as have to do it several times a year as the white deposits form so quickly. Have to drain the pond completely (several hundreds of gallons of water), and she’s getting sick of doing the painting too.
I’ve seen ponds around this area that have the same problem, and others that don’t, but never can seem to ascertain how they can be kept free of both algae and the white deposits of, well, whatever.
Any bright ideas?
- You know the difference between pea soup and mashed potatos?
A: Anybody can mash potatos.