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
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valves, sensors, and other components that make the difference in top-quality
irrigation systems. Typically regarded as significant users of water, golf courses
are under increasing scrutiny by governmental and environmental groups, making
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supply, plant irrigation requirements, application uniformity, and construction
management-be at the fingertips of every golf course professional. While fostering
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technology as low-pressure heads and controls that use "if/then" logic to automatically
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Golf Course Irrigation is a practical tool to help golf course architects, builders,
superintendents, irrigation consultants, designers, and installers to improve
aesthetics and playing conditions in the face of diminishing 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.
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
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.
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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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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?" 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. We avoid these devices.
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!
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 by ThePondReport.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
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