Algae comes in many forms and there are many varieties which are observed in the field by our Lake Management Specialists. Algae is mostly regarded to as a type of nuisance vegetation with many different forms, all of which can overtake your water if left untreated. The most common algae that we see in Northern Illinois are Hydrodictyon spp., Pithophora spp., Lyngbya spp., as well as planktonic algae and cyanobacteria blooms.
One pound of Phosphorus can support up to 500+ pounds of algae growth.
There is a reason why algae grows in your pond or lake; The primary reason for algae growth is an abundance of nutrients present in both the water column and the sediments or muck. Typically phosphorus nutrients are the main cause of excessive algae growth and can be flushed into your pond or lake via fertilizer run-off, wash in from flooding, and even from decomposing organic matter on or in the water column itself. McCloud Aquatics recommends getting your water and sediment (Muck) tested to be able to develop a complete and thorough management plan.
Most of our algae treatments are reactive measures to combat the growth which arises. However, there are some proactive algae solutions available.
Typically, each type of algae is able to be controlled using traditional copper-based products or other algaecide products such as oxidizers. At times algae can grow faster than we can provide treatment for. If excessive algae growth is a problem in your pond, it may be time to find out why.
Numerous Algae Solutions Available
One of the primary services we offer here at McCloud Aquatics is algae control in the Chicagoland and Northern Illinois areas. With a broad selection of top-of-the-line, EPA registered algaecide products with environmentally friendly and chemical-free algaecide programs our customers have the ability to decide what type of approach they wish to take in maintaining their water body.
My Pond Was Just Treated but I Still See Algae?
Our bi-weekly treatment schedule is optimal as our technicians are able to make their algae applications targeting either filamentous or planktonic algae with enough time built in between visits for the pond to recover post treatment.
Each body of water behaves differently and therefore reacts to algae treatments somewhat differently. While our applications target and begin to kill algae as soon as they are applied, it generally takes 4-7 days before things really start to clear up. Smaller patches of algae may clear out faster than large mats which cover a significant portion of the water surface, and there are other factors such as weather or biological properties which also affect the decomposition process. You also may see that the algae experienced a color change to yellow or brown relatively quickly but remained on the water surface; No worries, The discoloration is a sign that things are working, and that decomposition is taking place! It is not uncommon for mass algae patches to need two or three treatments to clear up completely, and making lighter but more focused or concentrated treatments focusing on sections is a safer and more healthy practice for the aquatic ecosystem!