Algae in the garden pond are not fundamentally negative. After all, they only develop if the water quality is good. However, if the algae growth exceeds certain limits, you should intervene. You can find out here how water fleas can help you fight algae.
Do water fleas help against algae?
Algae serve as afood source for water fleas and are diligently destroyed by them. In this way, the small animals ensure clean and clear water in ponds and aquariums. The water flea (Daphnia magna) is even used to examine water quality.
How do water fleas work against algae?
Quite simple: by eating thealgae. Where there are water fleas, there is only a few algae in the pond. They feed on floating algae, but also on other suspended particles in the water and bacteria.
Can I use water fleas against algae in any pond?
In principle yes You can use water fleas against algae in both a mini pond and a large garden pond. The size of the pond doesn't matter at all, but the fish population does. Although water fleas also eat the algae in your koi pond, they are also often eaten by the fish.
Does the use of water fleas also have disadvantages?
No, water fleas do not have adetrimental effect on your pond. They simply eat the algae from the water and filter suspended particles. If the food supply in the pond becomes too small, the population naturally reduces. This means that the water fleas cannot become a danger in the first place.
Where do I get water fleas?
In summer you can find water fleasin ponds with poultryor inponds in the forest. Alternatively, you can get live water fleas online or inAquarium shops(specialist shops for aquarium supplies). There are over 90 different types of water fleas. Many of them occur in the wild. They live primarily in stagnant water. Since water fleas react very sensitively to impure water and toxins, they are considered to be quite reliable indicators of water quality.
What kind of animals are water fleas?
Water fleas arenot a separate animal species or genus, but a “collection” of various small crustaceans. What they have in common is, on the one hand, their small size and, on the other hand, the more or less hopping way they move. Water fleas are often bred as live food for aquariums, but also perform well in garden ponds.
Tip
Water fleas overwintering
Should water fleas ensure clean water in garden ponds next year too? Typically you don't have to worry about this. If the water fleas find enough food in your pond, they will reproduce there naturally, for example during algae blooms. If food becomes scarce, they lay so-called permanent eggs that can overwinter at the bottom of the pond.
