Algae in the pond can easily become a nuisance. A heavily infested pond not only looks unsightly, the entire ecosystem suffers. Plants don't thrive and fish can die. Peat can help against algae, but does that make sense?
Does peat help against algae in the pond?
Yes,Peat helps against algae in the pond. However, it should no longer be used for reasons of climate and environmental protection. There are other options these days, like algae-eating fish and snails. If an algae infestation still occurs, raking it off will help.
How does peat work against algae in the pond?
Pure peatlowers the pH value in the pond water. It is/was often used to combat thread algae in ponds. However, the peat must not be mixed with soil, lime and/or fertilizer. All you have to do is fill a jute bag with peat, tie it tightly and place it in the pond. Algae don't like the acidic environment that is created in this way, so algae infestation will be limited in the future.
Why shouldn't I use peat?
Peat isneither environmentally friendly nor sustainableMining destroys the moors in which the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide is bound. For reasons of environmental and climate protection, the use of peat should be avoided entirely. Algae in the pond can be combated in other ways. In the past, potting soil often contained peat. However, it is useless for many plants because peat lowers the pH value in the soil. Many plants thrive poorly in the acidic soil.
Is there an alternative to peat when fighting algae?
There aredifferent alternativesto peat when fighting algae. However, this is only necessary if the algae get out of hand. A certain amount of floating and filamentous algae in the pond indicates good water quality. Removing algae is relatively easy and environmentally friendly if you skim it from the water surface with a landing net or vacuum it with a pond vacuum.
Tip
Algae-eating fish
If you want to keep fish in your garden pond anyway, then simply choose algae-eating species. So you practically kill two birds with one stone: your pond is populated by fish and you hardly have to worry about fighting algae at all. Suitable fish include some species of carp, the rudd, the gudgeon or the golden minnow.
