GolfPonds.com
Golf Pond Experts at your service to consult, maintain and beautify golf ponds around the world.
The care and maintenance of golf ponds
Contact us by email for detailed procedures and product recommendations.
Our golf specialists respond within 24 hours to all requests from golf course managers and superintendants.
Please include telephone number when you email us for information and wholesale pricing on : golf course algae control | golf course pond colorant and golf dyes | golf course & water hazard aeration | golf course natural bacteria | floating fountains for golf courses



Some of the more common issues with large golf ponds and small golf ponds are simply the natural conditions affecting water quality and nothing more. Golf ponds get older and begin to show signs of that aging in similar ways that can be helped by aeration, circulation and proper shoreline control. Almost every golf course that has a pond with a pond, regardless of it is an existing natural basin or a homemade golf course pond that has been built with care on your property, begins to notice from time to time that the golf course pond starts to show signs of ill-health.

Foul odors, like the stinky sulfur egg smell, sludge buildup and even fish kills can be early warning signs that the natural balance of the golf course pond has been disrupted or requires some maintenance. Often theses factors that cause such subtle degradation of the ecosystem are natural ones so don't beat yourself up thinking it's the Golf Gods wreaking revenge on you for that untallied Mulligan!

Alomost 90% of a golf course budget is spent on keeping the grass looking goodd but any time you have a pond or water hazard on your course you need to take care of it...make it beautiful...make it stand out like a LPGA tournament course not some hacked out country course. The water features in any golf course need care and can bec ome the focal point of your course and become a marketing strategy! Add a lovely well placed fountaon on a dog-lef hole and everyone will remember the gyser that tauunted them during their tee off!

Adding aeration can be a necessary project and many golf managers and supers like to go through the process of learning how to build their own aeration system so they can reduce costs and maintain control over the system. Whether you want to have a do it yourself style aireator or prefer a pre-built, turnkey system is up to you. It depends on how much time you have to spare and what your budget is!

Simply put, adding aeration to a pond, water-garden or even a natural lake is one of the best methods to control algae and maintain clear waters and discourage the buildup of bottom sediments.. It is extremely important never to overlook aeration when building a new golf course pond or when trying to restore one that is undergoing eutrophication especially in small basins that have a large organic load and that are typically mucky at the bottom. The organic material can be grass clippings, so it is best to leave a perimeter of natural thick vegetation and even aquatic plants to help reduce erosion and prevent runoff laced with fertilizers from getting into the water.

Our experience has shown that in most cases that adding air diffusion into the bottom levels of the golf course pond is often the the best form of aeration. This manner of aerating is basically the injection of air bubbles into the water to supply oxygen as well to create water movement because as the small air bubbles rise to the surface they create a movement that pulls oxygen deprived waters from the depths up towards the surface where they can interact with the atmosphere and achieve a high level of efficient oxygen transfer.

The water of the golf course pond is continuously being turned over and circulated towards the the surface by air diffuser plates, airstones, disc diffusers, or coarse bubble homemade diffusers that some people build themselves. There are many ways to get the air into the golf course pond but the general rule is that the smaller the bubble the better the efficiency of the system will be. Aeration can be done with electric air compressors or linear pumps or by windmills or even solar aeration systems! There are many ways to achieve the goal and the location of your golf course pond will determine whether you want to use a windmill for aeration, an electrical system, or a solar pump.

By eliminating chemicals from the equation we can ensure that other aquatic organisms are not harmed in the treatment of unwanted algae. Chemicals are indeed effective at quickly killing algae in golf ponds and lakes but when chemical agents or algaecides are used we often see damage to beneficial organisms, both flora and fauna, that actually assist in the health and maintenance of a clear and healthy pond. If you are seeking a quick fix chemical solution to aquatic weeds and troublesome algae then it may be best to look elsewhere. Such treatments as copper sulfate are effective but can lead to chemical dependence. Treating with chemicals will often leads to a chemical dependence and this is a vicious cycle of endless chemical applications and damage to the environment.

Natural ENV - PondKeeper - Dry Natural Bacteria with Barley Straw Each pail contains 50 soluble pouches of 1/2 pound each of high potency natural, safe, bacteria for ponds. Breaks down organic sludge like leaves, dead plants, fish droppings, fish food, fertilizer and dead algae. Reduces odors. Harmless to fish, animals and turf plants. Apply 6-8 packets (3 to 4 pounds) every 2-4 weeks. **IMPORTANT : Do Not Begin Treatment with PK Pond Keeper within 72 hours of treatment with CleanGreen Pro7 This fast-acting product contains several strains of totally-naturally occurring beneficial bacteria which begin instantly breaking down and digesting waste commonly found in pond environments to naturally keep ponds clean, clear and healthy all year long, while utilizing pulverized barley straw to eliminate the need for bulky barley bales, while still providing the water clarifier benefits of barley straw. After treating your pond with any sort of algaecide it is essential to use a natural bacteria to eliminate the dead algae otherwise it begins to accumulate on the pond floor and decomposes which will, with sunlight, release nutrients that cause green smelly water. Using this safe and natural product will eliminate odors, muck and green water. Safe for fish, pets, people and plants! Pond Bacteria - Dry Natural Bacteria with Barely Straw Free Shipping in USA!   Natural Golf Pond Bacteria 25 Pound Supply - $449.95 50 x 1/2 pound soluble pouches. Item # PR-4001-208 Large Golf Ponds & Golf Water Hazards With Algae Problems Initial Dose: Apply 6 - 8 lbs per surface acre. Maintenance Dose: Apply 3 - 4 lbs per surface acre every 2 - 4 weeks. Prices include shipping within continental USA. Additional border and customs charges on Canadian orders. Secure Shopping with Credit Card or Paypal® using the Secure Servers of Paypal® WHAT DOES THIS BENEFICIAL BACTERIA DO? First of all I am often asked about the make-up of this bacteria and w hile most suppliers treat their recipes as if it were the Colonels Secret Recipe for KFC we can say that these organisms have been deemed appropriate and safe for use in ponds and lakes by the United Stated Environmental Protection Agency and the Canadian Environmental Department because of their beneficial and harmless nature. You can expect the following benefits: INCREASED GROWTH AND HEALTH OF FISH This natural bacteria mixture is comprised of healthful organisms that are natural food for aquatic insects. The bacteria multiplies as it feeds on organic sediment, and insects grow and multiply as they feed on the bacteria. Fish then feed on the insects and grow rapidly as insects are one of the best foods for fish. INCREASED DEPTH As the bacteria feeds on bottom muck, your pond or lake will deepen, making a better environment for fish, and less opportunity for weeds to grow. Cattails and lilies will not gradually disappear. The beneficial bacteria removes nutrients that many unwanted aquatic weeds are nourished by. Neither cattails nor lilies will gradually disappear by using bacteria, indeed lilies and cattails can provide beauty and add oxygen to a pond and if cattails are a problem as they can be invasive you should do manual removal. Bacteria removes the mucky buildup and this this process is a more economical means of removing organic sediment than dredging and is much more sustainable!. ALGAE & ODOR REDUCTION Filamentous algae, also known as "pond scum," forms dense hairlike strands that can form thick floating mats. Its growth begins on submerged objects on the pond bottom. As it grows, the algae gives off oxygen that becomes entrapped in the mat of strands. This gives it buoyancy and causes it to rise to the surface where it frequently covers large areas of the pond. Filamentous algae is often a persistent problem because it reproduces by plant fragments, spores and cell division. Treatment with a beneficial bacteria can solve this problem. CLEANER SHORELINE You will begin to see clean sand or gravel on your shoreline where only muck was present before (if sand or gravel is present at the shoreline under the muck.) CONTENTS IN BENEFICIAL BACTERIA Specialized, preselected, adapted microorganisms, bioorganic catalysts and microbial growth stimulants on an inert carrier. Included species include, but are not necessarily limited to : Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megateerium, Bacillus caerus, Pseudomonas (spp), Saccharomyces (spp), Trichoderma Viride and Aspergillus oryzae.

Many pond owners have experience with two primary algae types that are known to haunt many lakes, pond, water gardens, koi golf ponds and dugouts. There are string algae, also known as filamentous algae, angel hair algae, or horse tail algae which appear as wispy thin green silken hairs that can form thick floating mats and drift and clog along the edges of golf ponds especially against rocky shoreline structure like rock walls or bridges. Then there are the varieties of plankton and phytoplankton algae that cause green golf course pond water, either a pale green that reduces clarity and forms golf course pond scum on rocks, or a thick pea soup, sometimes an oily-looking layer of thick almost fluorescent green that looks utterly sickening.

Of course there are hundreds of algae species that exist in nature and while some of them are the bane of golf course pond builders they are all a natural occurrence that propagates when certain conditions (combinations of temperature, sunlight and nutrients) are right.

As with all things in nature there is much that can deciphered by understanding the nature of things. A sudden algae bloom can be a clue to a sudden imbalance in the golf course pond stemming from an influx of nutrients entering the water from lawn fertilizers, a ruptured septic field, or even goose droppings entering the pond! Whatever the cause, it is first necessary to identify the algae and then determine what are the natural conditions and specific circumstances that cause algae to become invasive and troublesome.

The string, filamentous algae that is like slowly drifting hairs is often found in stagnant areas of a golf course pond like around the edges where circulation doesn't occur. Golf ponds with exposed rock shorelines are notorious for becoming warm due to direct sunlight heating the stones which transfer heat to the water. When these stagnant areas become warm and when nutrients are available a slow formation of hair like algae will begin to farm and stick like glue to stones.

By reducing circulation and aeration you will reduce the favorable conditions that these algae thrive in so evidence of growth of the filamentous algae should be looked on as a sign that additional circulation or increased aeration would be a good idea. Some backyard golf ponds and water garden owners prefer to drain their golf ponds and scrub them down with chlorine bleach or salt mixtures every year to help sterilize the pond. While such cleaning may provide benefits there should be no need to perform such tiresome maintenance operations if a proper ecosystem can be created. Beneficial nature bacteria and barley straw are other ways to assist in the reduction of algae. There are many golf course pond supply websites and stores that sell a variety of products that claim to be strong bacteria or enzymes or natural cultures for clearing golf ponds and it is best to find a source that can provide references as these sorts of products can be cast in the same light as snake-oil!

There can be no denying that there are reputable dealers who can sell a high quality, pathogen free variety of algae busting bacteria but there are also twice as many who sell diluted and homemade bacteria mixtures that are often overpriced and under-effective!

When golf course pond water is greenish or that unwelcome pea-soup color it is uninviting for swimming and we cannot see our fish. While not as disturbing as thick mats of algae to have a constant pale green water in the golf course pond can reduce enjoyment of the golf course pond and practically ruin a summer holiday if it continues for over ten days. This green water can be partly the cause of two primary elements required for their growth and propagation: sunlight and nutrients.

When we talk about nutrients we are meaning, decaying leaves from the dropping of the Autumn foliage, fish food decomposition, and any sort of phosphate type material from runoff that gets into the water. So we see that reducing these conditions will help maintain clear waters.

First by reducing the direct sunlight that hits the golf course pond we can help by stopping the sun's rays from hitting the nutrient rich golf course pond bottom which, especially when low in oxygen, can release algae causing substances. How can you reduce sunlight? Adding aquatic plants like water lilies and hyacinths or by installing a floating islands can provide shade to help cool the water and dramatically reduce the harmful effects of the summer sunlight. Treatments with a professional grade aquatic dye can also radically assist in the demise of phytoplankton. Adding vegetation, floating islands, and treating with aquatic colorant can provide rapid, almost instant aesthetic improvements to a golf course pond and often should be looked on as the first-step, along with aeration, at improving the condition of the pond.

Often, the golf course pond owners we have helped, decide to start treating their golf course pond with a bit more respect only after they are in a near panic-state because the condition of things has gotten so worse that they are seeing fish at the surface gasping for air or frogs literally standing on vast expanses of algae! Whether you are starting a new golf course pond or have inherited an old golf course pond or are contemplating the step-by-step approach of a do it yourself golf course pond building project it is never too late or too early to start taking care of the pond; we have seen some literal swamps that were rejuvenated over a few seasons with the proper techniques and all for a lot less money than was anticipated!

With an existing golf course pond the first step is to clean as much muck and organic material from the golf course pond as possible. While this is often done the traditional way of draining and excavation, or in small golf ponds with nets and shovel; it is also possible to treat with specific bacterial cultures that feed on nutrients in golf course pond muck and reduce the available nutrients in the water column. Of course smaller backyard golf ponds and water gardens can be easily drained and washed and it is a good idea to skim off leaves and other debris daily on your daily inspection of the golf course pond and it never overfeed your fish by using an automatic fish feeder if required.

In both large and small basins that use of beneficial bacteria must be considered as a regular part of your golf course pond care program! These friendly cultures do no harm to natural organisms. There are many misconceptions people carry when they hear the word "bacteria" and while there are bacteria that are unwanted and dangerous such as those that can cause illness in fish skin and gills that can kill fish, the good bacteria that we introduce into a natural living golf course pond can break down toxic ammonia, reduce nitrites, control phosphates and literally digest organic muck! These marvels of nature can reduce the amount of golf course pond maintenance that we need to perform by providing a constant cleaning action on the side, bottoms and even the water and plants of the golf course pond or lake.

The beneficial bacteria will basically out-compete the algae for nutrients. If you are adding bacteria and seeing no results you may have a poor culture set or the dosage may not be high enough; I've found it is better not to be cheap and look for cheap bacteria because you really will get what you pay for…that being said…you should not have to spend more than a few hundred dollars for a season's worth of bacteria. Shock-treatments of double or triple the maintenance dosage is sometimes recommended and as in many forms of health-care early prevention is the key to keeping algae under control; start earlier rather than later in the season. Often, like a runaway train, once the momentum builds up the algae will really become incredibly resistant to treatment.

Remember that adding an aerator, not just a nozzle splashing water from a submersible pump or a small waterfall but a real bottom mounted diffuser system with air stones, aeration discs or diffuser bubble tubing, you will enhance the effectiveness of your added cultures by up to 30% so don't neglect the fundamentals!

GolfPonds.com
The care and maintenance of golf ponds
Contact us by email for detailed procedures and product recommendations.
Our golf specialists respond within 24 hours to all requests from golf course managers and superintendants.
Please include telephone number when you email us for information and wholesale pricing on : golf course algae control | golf course pond colorant and golf dyes | golf course & water hazard aeration | golf course natural bacteria | floating fountains for golf courses

More Basics of Nuisance Algae Control on Golf Course Ponds
All living aquatic algae are actually primitive plants! The main difference from other aquatic plants is that algae are defined as having no stems, leaves, or having no real root structures as they commonly exist. There are thousands of species but typically they are found either floating on or near the surface or actually attached to other plants, bottom sediments or debris and even to other real plants! While scientifically speaking there is upwards of 10,000 varieties of aquatic algae, they can all be separated in three fundamental categories: attached-erect algae, microscopic algae and filamentous algae. Most golf course pond owners we know can only separate all the species of algae into two different groups: The algae the ruins their golf course pond and the other stuff they don't care about!

The microscopic algae that are sometimes referred to as phytoplankton are free-floating, extremely tiny creatures that give golf course pond water a greenish tinge, or, in the case of a full out bloom, a dark opaque green color. Naturally, a balanced golf course pond is alive and so the existence of the proper levels of such algae is beneficial as they can be the primary dissolved oxygen factories that produce life giving oxygen for other organisms and fish in the pond. Sometimes during warm summer days, especially in midsummer when heat and windless days abound, major algae blooms can occur that rise to the surface and can appear as green or or reddish or even yellow scum. When there is a rapid kill-off of these microscopic algae caused by abrupt changes in water temperature for example, the ensuing death can lead to severe depletion of dissolved oxygen levels and cause severe damage or elimination of other species including fish. Keep a watchful eye on the golf course pond and be prepared to react whenever the lovely pale greenish water tinge, the natural healthy state, suddenly changes into a bright pea-soup! This is a warning sign!

In most healthy golf ponds you should be able to see a fairly bright object clearly to a depth of at least two feet and if a secchi-disc or similar homemade device is not visible before a 24 inch depth is reached it could signify that the golf course pond is suffering from or preparing for an algae event. This is when seeking advice on treatments is mandatory, and, as we stated above, is likely to start with treatments of bacteria, dyes and of course the all-important proper aeration device.

What are known as attached-erect algae are not as big nor as common a problem in golf ponds in Canada or the United States but nonetheless, when blooms of these attached-erect species occur it definitely makes life miserable for swimmers and anyone interested in fishing without losing their lures on the thick mats of submerged weeds. This algae is sometimes referred to as muskgrass, stonewort or sometimes even golf course pond weed, although that is actually a misnomer because even though they do resemble an advanced plant with veritable leaf-like structures spaced plant like on a common stem structure. Before starting any treatment targeting these algae it should be positively identified especially if you are considering a chemical treatment. Again, reducing nutrients and increasing circulation while manually removing the algae is the most natural approach to control.

The hair like, filamentous type of aquatic golf course pond algae is the ultimate headache causing nuisance for golf course pond owners in almost all areas of the country as this type of algae is extremely tolerant to cool water temperatures and blooms can begin in early Spring, just when the pond has cleared of ice and the golf course pond owner starts to dream of swimming in crystal clear waters so when this messy muck floats to the surface the effect can be absolutely discouraging. The blooms of filamentous algae are fundamentally born in shallow water areas when waters are clear and sunlight can penetrate and reach the nutrient rich soil of the golf course pond bottom.

The conditions of light and food cause cells to rapidly grow and multiply and these cells actually clump together in long strands that resemble green hair, or witch hair as some will refer to it. These hairy masses also grow in almost furry clumps on the bottom of the golf course pond and often break apart and drift to the surface of the water in dense gelatinous mats. These floating algae blooms are very unattractive and can be smelly; not to mention that a sudden die-off of the masses of algae can lead to serious issues within the golf course pond due to the sudden drop in oxygen levels related to the death of the algae.

Algae Control

"Is it normal that the founatin in the pond at the seventh hole looks like a hose pissing into the moonlight?"
Golf Pond Experts at your service to consult, maintain and beautify golf ponds including the installation and best choices for floating fountains. Contact

Contact us by email for detailed procedures and product recommendations.
A search on the Internet for algae control methods can bring up a panoply of companies claiming to have the miracle product that will eliminate algae forever! Such claims should be taken with suspicion as many treatments suggested by golf course pond supply companies or golf course pond management companies will often try and attack the symptom only and not the root cause of the algae problem.

Because it is a combination of light and nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon that can stimulate algae growth these are the fundamental causes that must be addressed. Reduce the nutrients in the golf course pond and limit the sunlight that reaches the golf course pond bottom and algae blooms can often be kept at bay.

If at all possible, try and deepen shallow areas of the golf course pond because when the edges of the golf course pond can be steep sloping with depths of three feet the sunlight reaching the bottom is significantly reduced.

Avoiding the use of fertilizers near the golf course pond is crucial as only small trace amounts of any sort of fertilizer can lead to a huge problem. Try and maintain a strip or buffer zone around the golf course pond where high grass or shrubs are left to thrive; this barrier will prevent erosion but also help absorb nutrients. When a golf course pond is edged with a trimmed lawn or decorative rocks there are often problems. Grass clippings enter the golf course pond and sink and decay and create algae food! The rocks can heat up the water and create ideal conditions for further blooms. Keeping a natural, wild looking shoreline is a key to reducing nutrients; changing your habitual use of fertilizers and phosphate enriched products like soaps is also a good idea. If keeping a wide strip around the golf course pond in a natural state is not really an option for whatever reason then drainage ditches and diversion trenches can be installed to redirect any run-off away from the pond.

Ultrasonic Algae Control
Reviews and client results show that it may not be the solution.
Recently new technologies for algae control have emerged especially within the last five years. Ultrasonic devices claim to be simple inexpensive devices that can control algae in golf ponds with ultra sound waves that basically destroy the living algae cells. The data on these systems is being gathered and interested clients may find ultrasonic devices existing under many brand names like LG Sonic or Sonic Solutions or other variations. Care should be used when choosing an ultrasonic system for algae control as some devices seem to be designed cheaply of inferior quality leading to complete ineffectiveness or sometimes total failure. Our testing has shown that ultrasonic algae killers are not all created equally and some caution should be used when purchasing these units as there seem to be many knockoff versions flooding the market.

Our recommended ultrasonic device is from SonicSolutions LLC who have ultrasonic algae control devices successfully installed worldwide, in a variety of environments including lakes and golf ponds teaming with wildlife. They have proven and documented data and are successfully controlling algae in bodies of water that contain koi fish, turtles, snakes, frogs, tadpoles, trout, otters, a variety of small game fish as well as alligators, just to name some of the wildlife, with no negative effects upon any of them. SonicSolutions ultrasonic devices require only 24 volts DC to operate and are therefore intrinsically safe.

Their markets include golf ponds and lakes teaming with wildlife as well as wastewater facilities, drinking water reservoirs (they are also NSF61 Certified for their SS-400, SS-500 and SS-600 models) and golf course golf ponds , just to name a few. Their systems are even used at a number of U.S. government installations including a Navy Base and physics laboratory. One of the unique features of their ultrasonic technology is that, unlike chemicals or bacteria, clients do not need to continually manually reapply our technology. Contact SonicSolutions directly and they can can share with you a number of reports from their customers which include: The West Virginia Environmental Training Center (a division of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources) who conducted tests this summer and can testify to the effectiveness of the ultrasonic device in reducing algae in a wastewater environment. One of their first customers is Marlin Dise at Winterthur Gardens in Winterthur, PA who has more than 4 years of operating experience proving the effectiveness of the SonicSolutions devices which have completely eliminated the need for any copper based products.

Why not just use chemicals for the golf course?
Golf Pond Experts at your service to consult, maintain and beautify golf ponds including the installation and best choices for floating fountains. Contact
Contact us for our full line of chemical herbicides and algaecides.
When there is a serious and overwhelming infestation of algae golf course pond owners often look to take dramatic and decisive action and many turn their thoughts to algaecides or chemicals; they work on garden plants so why not use them in the pond? Most algaecides are formulated with copper-based mixtures such as the well-known copper sulfate or the copper chelate communes and a variety of brand name algae killing chemicals. Because chemicals are extremely toxic and designed to kill real care should be taken if they are used and we always avoid using chemicals.

In many Canadian provinces the use of herbicides and algaecides is not legal and there are strict restrictions in the USA as to the use and application of these chemicals and with good reason. Chemicals can definitely kill algae but there is often unwanted collateral damage. Chemical treatments are notorious for killing more than they were supposed to and if a sterile, almost dead, golf course pond is desired than chemicals is the choice of treatments. Fish can experience toxic reactions to many chemicals if the dosage is exceeded even by small amounts, not to mention the potential for birds and aquatic plants to be affected by the chemicals. Golf ponds often become chemically defendant if the only form of algae treatment is chemically based. The algae are killed, sink to the bottom, decay and are converted into fresh nutrients which then re-bloom and the cycle continues. Instead of entering into this cycle of poor golf course pond management it is best to treat the golf course pond naturally and, if necessary, over a few seasons instead of trying to solve the problems in one weekend!

GolfPonds.com
The care and maintenance of golf ponds
Contact us by email for detailed procedures and product recommendations.
Our golf specialists respond within 24 hours to all requests from golf course managers and superintendants.
Please include telephone number when you email us for information and wholesale pricing on : golf course algae control | golf course pond colorant and golf dyes | golf course & water hazard aeration | golf course natural bacteria | floating fountains for golf courses

Natural Golf course pond Cleaning
A healthy ecosystem, whether it is a small decorative golf course pond or a large lake, is defendant on a balanced community of life living in harmony. From microscopic algae to plants, frogs, fish, salamanders, insects and birds, a healthy golf course pond is teeming with life and has a healthy food-chain and maintaining and encouraging this cycle is the key to keeping a golf course pond clear and clean. If the base nutrients, the microscopic beneficial bacteria, are not present in adequate numbers then the golf course pond can age and decline quicker than normal. There are cold water bacterial treatments designed for bottom muck and dry bacteria cultures designed to clear green water and help combat algae growth and when either of these problems are a concern then adding microbes into the golf course pond should not be ignored.

Because a golf course pond suffers from two basic types of aquatic pollution, soluble and insoluble, it is key to control these two forms as best as possible. The main soluble pollutants come from erosion and seepage that washes fertilizers, nitrogen and phosphorous into the pond. Aquatic plants will naturally convert via photosynthesis inorganic carbon dioxide into fully organic material. When these plants die they can contribute to the formation of sludge and golf course pond muck which can result in noxious elements like hydrogen sulfide and ammonia being released into the water; a danger to fish and other life. Low oxygen levels caused by these subtle changes causes sediment bound phosphorous to be released and these conditions will often lead to fish-kills and algae blooms. Large lakes with heavy loads of pollution and low oxygen levels are often plagued by regular blue green blooms of Cyanobacteria. The stresses caused by such problems can reduce fish growth and diminish the abundance of beneficial organisms and the results are often catastrophic as far as many golf course pond owners are concerned.

Proper design, proper maintenance and a constant appreciation and respect for the natural forces that exist in our golf ponds , whether man-made or existing is essential for forging a positive and healthy approach to golf course pond ownership. Understanding the relationship between living cells, oxygen, light and the positive energy that radiates in all of nature is crucial to understand that maintaining a healthy pond is much like nurturing a child or raising an animal; there are certain steps we must follow and certain traps to avoid in order to assure an outcome that can be appreciated for years.



Getting rid of the algae in a golf course water hazard isn't too difficult...
We don't use chemicals like copper products as this can create a cycle where the algae dies and then sinks and then decomposes and this causes more algae to grow and then you have to add more chemicals! This is a waste of money and can also damage your fish. We like to use natural bacteria products that are not chemicals but concentrated natural bacteria that consume organic materials in the water...this reduces algae and over time your golf course pond won't be affected with algae. Always make sure you have good circulation or aeration as this helps too. we would recommend two products for your pond, you can buy them on our secure online store, and we can ship them directly to you!

To remove horrible thick algae in a golf course pond contact us for your bacteria, chemical and aeration system needs.

Some interesting links on golf course pond algae and related topics:

1. Water Colorant Helps Control Algae by Filtering Out Sunlight for Plant Photosynthesis
"Using blue dye to color water and discourage plant growth is not something new. Golf courses have been using it for years and now fishpond owners are starting to use it. Plants need light for produce photosynthesis and growth but not just any light. Light in the red and blue wavelengths are critical for growth. Application of blue dye does not reduce the light available to the plants. Instead, it acts similar to a blue filter on a camera, restricting all the blue light entering the camera. With this dye in the water, light enters all the way to the bottom but the blue light is absorbed and not available to the plant. This results in submerged water plants being unable to properly photosynthesize and grow."
Government issued information: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/newslett.nsf/all/aqua11440

2. What are Cyanobacteria.?
"Cyanobacteria. is a modern term used to describe a group of bacteria that, in the same fashion as algae and plants, convert sunlight and nutrients into energy required for growth and reproduction. Because they share many similarities in overall appearance, nutrient requirements, and habitat with algae, Cyanobacteria. were historically classified as algae and are still commonly referred to as blue-green algae."
Government issued information: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/SWQ/faqs01.cfm

3. Establishing Plants
"For golf ponds , consider a mix of emergent, submergent, and floating species. Emergent plants, those that have their roots in the water but their shoots above water, can be added to the margins of pools. These include cattails (Typha spp.), arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.), and water lilies (Nymphaea spp.). Submergent species, or those that remain under water such as elodea, are often used as oxygenators. These are plants that remove carbon dioxide from the water and add oxygen. These plants are essential in most golf ponds to keep the water clear. Floating species or those that are not anchored at all in the golf course pond include plants such as duckweed (Lemna minor), water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). While attractive, water hyacinth and water lettuce can be serious weed problems in the south; however, since they are not winter hardy, there is no problem with them spreading in northern climates. While not as effective as oxygenators, these plants help keep the water clear by limiting the amount of sunlight that algae receive. In tiny golf ponds created in barrels and similar containers, these plants may be adequate to maintain clear water."
Government issued information: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Feature/backyard/bkpond.html

4. Integrated Weed Management for Water Weeds (Aquatic Plants)
"Herbicides provide temporary control of nuisance aquatic vegetation. Alternate methods such as mechanical removal (Submergents), dredging or substrate alteration (drainage ditches) can provide longer term control. Management techniques for vegetation control in golf ponds include minimizing nutrient input, dredging excess sediment, logs and other organic debris, decreasing the surface to depth ratio and increasing the rate of golf course pond turnover (flushing). Some aquatic plant and algae life should be accepted and tolerated as a vital component of a healthy ecosystem."
Government issued information: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub75/19water.htm

5. Methods for Control of Aquatic Vegetation
"Although aquatic vegetation can provide a variety of benefits to both a golf course pond and golf course pond owner, it can also be a nuisance when it becomes too abundant. Overabundant vegetation can prevent good fishing, inhibit domestic or agricultural water uses, and ruin the appearance of a pond. Excessive algae can lead to summer fish kills and dense submerged vegetation can contribute to winter fish kills. Decomposition of plants can cause water to smell. Dense vegetation can attract insects and unwanted animals. Fish production can be reduced when thick vegetation prevents effective predation of small fish by larger fish. Swimming, boating, and fishing also become restricted if plants become too thick."
Government issued information: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Fishing/pond/vegetationcontrol.htm


GolfPonds.com
The care and maintenance of golf ponds
Golf Pond Experts at your service to consult, maintain and beautify golf ponds including the installation and best choices for floating fountains. Contact

Contact us by email for detailed procedures and product recommendations.
Our golf specialists respond within 24 hours to all requests from golf course managers and superintendants.
Please include telephone number when you email us for information and wholesale pricing on : golf course algae control | golf course pond colorant and golf dyes | golf course & water hazard aeration | golf course natural bacteria | floating fountains for golf courses