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!
If the year is a very hot
dry summer and the water level drops significantly changes in the natural balance
of the water garden or even koi golf course pond will only become more pronounced
as time goes on unless concrete action is taken. On the other hand a very wet
season may flood the golf course pond with very high levels of organic materials
and nutrients from the shoreline into the golf course pond which can create decomposing
materials that consume high levels of the oxygen that the living system so heavily
depends on.
Unsightly golf course pond scum and thick black bottom muck and sludge can build
up in the golf course pond bottom and oxygen emitting aquatic plants can be literally
suffocated in dark murky waters which can lead to algae blooms which disturb the
pond's beauty and health.
Any golf course pond that is constantly filling up with organic deposits and sediments
will eventually suffer and most people think the best solution is dredging or
re-digging the golf course pond to remove the muck the golf course pond but there
are other more cost effective ways to reverse the process and restore the golf
course pond or lake. Re-digging a pond, while it will immediately increases depth
and help with structural flaws in the pond, is often only a temporary solution
as these problematic sediments and thick offensive sludge are typically only a
symptom of a golf course pond needing aeration and proper shoreline revitalization.
Adding an aeration system to your golf course pond or basin will resolve a number
of discouraging problems.
Golf
Course Aeration
"So
much time and money is spent on the grass. Of course that is the most important
aspect of a well groomed course but a properly maintained pond can become the
jewel that makes your golf course stand out from the rest!"
Golf Pond
Experts at your service to consult, maintain and beautify golf ponds.Contact
Complete guidelines to developing and maintaining the most
effective, environment-friendly irrigation systems for golf courses Golf
Course Irrigation offers valuable insight on the design, installation, management,
and maintenance of irrigation systems-the most important management tool
used on today's golf courses. Without manufacturers' bias, this useful resource
provides hands-on guidance to the highest quality irrigation systems, including
specifications and applications of the best pump stations, controllers,
sprinkler heads, nozzles, valves, sensors, and other components that make
the difference in top-quality irrigation systems. Typically regarded as
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natural resources. It is also an informative reference for golf course owners,
developers, local officials, students, and fans of the game.
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.
Whatever way you do
it, take the time to install the best system you can afford as seeing a golf course
pond with clear water and happy fish and frogs is truly a joy and any fish lover
knows that maintaining fish, either trout, ass or koi, is a passion and now to
be taken lightly!
Aeration, depending on your longitude and
latitude in the world can be effective all year round or only during certain seasons
but it is undoubtedly the key ingredient in maintaining a healthy aquatic system.
The benefits of using an aeration system, especially when combined with applications
of natural golf course pond bacteria that feeds on organic materials like leaves
and fish waste, will return your golf course pond to vibrant health in no time
at all!.
Building an aeration system can be a snap especially if you
have a golf course pond store in your town where experts can help choose the best
system components for you, although looking on the Internet for golf course pond
supplies is another fast way to get the information you need. But be careful,
there are many people trying to get golf course pond owners to part with their
hard earned money with new fangled technologies like ultrasonic algae killers
or complicated bubbler systems, when the fact is it is not rocket science!
The heart of any lake-bed, or bottom-mounted aeration system is often the
air compressor itself. There are a variety of compressors that are quiet, small,
energy efficient compressors that will pump a steady and constant flow of oxygen
to your bottom-mounted diffuser system. The depth of the golf course pond where
the diffusers are located will determine the type of compressor you require. Shallow
golf ponds less than 9 feet deep can often be aerated with a small linear or diaphragm
type of pump that are usually fairly silent and real energy misers! If you have
a deeper pond, from 8 to 15 feet deep you may need to use a rotary vane compressor,
although the carbon vanes are known to require changing every 18 to 34 months.
Piston compressors can delivery up to 35 psi or more and are excellent for deep
water aeration. While piston compressors often do not have the high levels of
CFM (cubic feet per minute) of airflow as a rotary vane or linear pump, they make
up for it in reliable strong airflow.
Windmills can also
be used and in North America there are a few choices of windmill aeration systems
both in Canada and here in the United States and we have even seen some real go-getters
build a windmill aerator out of old cars and tractor parts, but we wouldn't recommend
it. The standard windmill like a Superior Windmill or Koenders Windmill or Beckermills
Windmill or American Eagle Windmill or Outdoor Water Solutions Windmill works
by having a diaphragm compressor in the head of the windmill. As wind turns the
fans of the windmill compressed air is forced down the airline into the airstone
in the pond. No electricity is required and the simple technology has worked extremely
well for decades as farmers across the plains have attested to. Aerating dugouts
with a windmill is a popular practice in areas where there is often no electrical
source, plus there is only the initial cost and construction of the system to
contend with and no ongoing maintenance fees.
GolfPonds.com The care and maintenance of golf ponds
"As
I stood on the Tee looking at the green taunting me behind the large pond I asked
myself why the pond was covered with algae mats and stunk like a gym locker...I
figured my best bet was to try and land on the pond algae on the golf pond...It
Worked!! "
Golf Pond Experts at your service to consult, maintain and beautify 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
Green
Energy for a Golf Course?
Solar systems can be built as well but the DC compressors used in solar aerators
deliver fairly low levels of pressure and CFM. Solar direct systems are less expensive
and can be built by many people who want a homemade aeration system. Battery back-up
systems are more expensive but allow you to use large compressor like a small
rotary vane compressor which will increase your airflow and allow you to aerate
a larger area.
Whichever compressor you choose you will then need to run an airline to your diffuser
system (airstone, membrane disc, diffuser tubing) and there are ways to save money
here. Using weighted tubing or self-sinking airhose is the fastest way because
it will sink quickly on it's own but it can run over $1.50 per foot or more! A
cheaper way is to use standard airline, often 1/2" or even 3/8" which
does float but by zip tying some rebar or threading the tubing through bricks
you can run any length from the compressor to the diffuser for under $100.
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In order to determine the size
of the compressor and the number of diffusers you will need there are at least
two critical factors to consider and this is why it is often good to consult a
golf course pond expert before starting. First you must know the true depth of
your golf course pond as this will determine the PSI required from your compressor
and when you look at the shape of the golf course pond this determines the number
of diffusers you need which will determine the best CFM you need from your compressor
since most diffusers require at least .5 CFM for operation. Thesis data helps
you decide if you can get away with using a linear air pump or need to go with
one of the bad boys like a 1/2 HP piston compressor or 1 3/4HP rotary vane. Making
the wrong choice at this stage can mean burning out a compressor and losing alot
of time and money in the process!
If you are using a
windmill or a high pressure dual-piston compressor then the compressor can actually
be placed quite far from the pond, sometimes up to 900 feet or 1 km away although
as you can imagine this requires laying out some 3/4" airline which can be
a messy job if you need to bury your tubing. Better to try and get the system
as close to the golf course pond as possible although we want you to understand
that you can go a long distance with the right tools and products.
A round golf course pond like a big bowl with a single deepest area
and an equally proportional interior grade may require only one diffuser placed
at the deepest point. This will provide a nice even circulation but the diffuser
doesn't necessarily have to be in the center so look at the entire golf course
pond as a whole because raising fish can add additional points of concern when
using aeration such as overheating the golf course pond with aeration. There are
thermostat controls to automatically tun on aerators when temperatures drop below
a certain level, this helps prevent fish kills as trout are very susceptible to
warm temperatures.
An irregular shaped, often kidney shaped or bean
shaped, golf course pond with more variations in depth and shoreline slope may
involve the installation of one or more diffusers but again, this is not always
the case. Balance the need for aeration by looking at the existing condition of
the pond, do you have algae, are fish dying? Sometimes even in a large golf course
pond we only add a single aeration station...it all depends and there are no hard
a fast rules to go by...although golf course pond experts will try and often sell
their biggest aeration package they can!
Golf Pond Algae
How Do I Get Rid of the Nuisance Algae in My Golf Course Pond? Contact
us by email for detailed procedures and product recommendations.
This question has often
echoed in our head, over the wind-tossed treetops, after one of our on-site golf
course pond consultations and is probably one of the most repeated questions any
golf course pond expert will hear during the course of a day. If we had a nickel
for every person who stood there under the hot sun, with bees buzzing on the flowers,
kicking the clay with their rubber boots asking me how to get rid of the pesky
green slime in their golf course pond we would likely be able to afford that new
motor-home we have our eyes on! Thankfully, we have also been able to turn such
conditions around and have made a lot of friends along the way as we explain the
basics of algae and the easy steps to treat the common problem.
Golf course pond owners know
that there are two common forms of algae that are bound to show their mucky green
faces at one time or another in the life of a pond. Often a golf course pond will
suffer bouts with algae many times during a season. While there are chemicals
to help knockdown algae our approach is to use natural methods of algae control.
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.
Get Rid Of Algae in Your Golf Pond or Water Hazard
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
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Large Golf Ponds
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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.
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Many golf courses 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.
Because golf courses must use fertilizers in most cases to keep the grass green
and thick there are often issues in the water hazards and irrigation ponds with
any golf course.
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!
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History, Design, and Construction is a valuable resource for golf course
architects, golf course superintendents, irrigation specialists, turfgrass
specialists, golf course owners and builders, real estate/golf course developers,
and landscape architects.
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 fountain in the pond at the seventh hole looks like a hose
pissing into the moonlight?"
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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
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. 
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