COLUMBIA, South Carolina — As sunlight increases and temperatures rise, one of the most common issues in ponds is algae growth.
“It’s usually always algae," says Kevin Walker, the freshwater manager at Fishy Business in St. Andrews. Walker says algae can be fixed by increasing pond circulation or, preferably, by installing a UV sterilizer to prevent the free-flowing algae.
Walker also said that manually scrubbing or filtering isn’t the only way to get rid of the algae.
“Koi and goldfish are somewhat of scavengers. So, if you keep them slightly underfed, they’re going to help keep the pond clean themselves. They’ll also keep back any issues you might have, such as mosquito larvae in your pond,” said Walker.
Mosquitos can also be a big problem around ponds during warmer months. Walker says, “the fish will eat the mosquito larvae that are on the surface, provided you don’t get too heavy-handed on the feeding.”
Walker’s final piece of advice is to test your water quality. "You always want your pH no lower than 7. Most of your koi and goldfish like 7 to 7.5, and so do your plants," he said.
With just a few steps, you can ensure that your backyard pond stays healthy and thriving as the summer months approach the Midlands.