I have watched many videos on blanketweed but none has provided the comprehensive explanations and first class advice that you have. Thank you, as all my questions have been answered and I am so much more knowledgeable in dealing with 'witch's hair' as I call it. 😊
Filamentous algae is most easily prevented by a well designed habitat. Extremely few backyard ponds are sufficiently designed. This includes all the companies you constantly hear about selling their filters. Thus the problem will always continue for most people. Yes the treatments will remove algae, but the problem returns because it does not remove the nutrients.
Hi there, great comment re blanket weed- you’re absolutely correct; a considered approach to the initial construction of a pond- ie it’s position in relation to sunlight, overhanging deciduous foliage, potential run off etc etc is incredibly important when building a pond. The control of potential water in/out (rain, run off etc) is vital for a pond to thrive and remain clean, clear and as algae free as possible. Treatments, as you say are more of a ‘sticky plaster’ to the problem and sometimes getting to the route of the excess of nutrients can be more important then algae treatment. That said, even in a well constructed pond that has zero potential nutrient contamination (in a raised pond for example) built- for the sake of the argument- in full shade, will still have issues with blankets weed periodically. Although specialist filtration systems can be purchased to remove and break down nitrates- something that doesn’t happen is a typical biological filtration system- and or wetland /plant based filtration systems could be incorporated (space permitting) to some ponds, the addition of heavy waste fish like koi will often still provide enough nutrients to allow occasional filamentous blooms to occur in healthy ponds. The use of products (like Blanket answer) are an additional way to reduce nutrient content further and are very effective at controlling blanket weed. Thanks for watching and your comment! Best, Ed
@@CrystalClearAquatics Not being aware of the content of that additive, I still think it will not ultimately remove the nutrients, particularly phosphorus.
That Cloverleaf Blanket answer really does work! Is the only product I have found that does. Completely eradicated my very invasive blanket weed. I wouldn’t try anything else.
as always great vid, i've recently had an blanket weed bloom and was going to ask your advice but.. you beat me to it , thank you for posting this information Ed
20years ago I put a blagdon electric blanket weed killer on my koi pond. At the same time I put a shoal of roach and a small albino grass carp in there. I haven’t had blanket weed for 20 years. But the main problem with that pond is the depth to surface area ratio.
Hi Tony, thanks for your comment- indeed depth to overall surface area is important and in this pond it’s really too shallow for such a large surface area pond. The main issue here though is the very long stream that runs for 100ft or so down the garden and is bordered by very lush verdant flower beds that are regularly mulched with manure (despite my recommendations not to do this!) The nutrient rich runoff causes a huge excess of nutrients in the pond which cause this blanketweed bloom. After periods of hot dry weather with no rain blanket weed isn’t an issue in this pond but not long after we’ve had rain its starts to bloom again! Best, Ed
I’m planning my pond at the moment and I’m planning to put a bog filter onto the pond, providing lots of surface area and plenty of plants to process nitrates, that’s what I’ve read from my research that a bog filter is ideal for clear, healthy pond cycle. But I’ll have to see what it’s like once I’ve built it
Hi Graham, provided you’ve got the space to do so such a natural vegetative filtration system can be very effective at keeping ponds clean and healthy and a great way to learn a little more about specific pond plants as well! Good luck! Best, Ed
Sadly not! Pond side of things is all complete- am thoroughly enjoying the plants and livestock in the pond as they developed and mature- still have one water blade to build, some walling and the paving to complete and then it’s finished! Stay posted and thanks for your patience! Best, Ed
Great Video. We have a new pond in which the pond plants are bringing established. Pulling the blanket weed up keeps pulling some of them up or pulling parts off; how do you work around this to remove as much BW as possible without harming the establishing plants? With a natural pond with no filter how would you add the airation you mention to assist with removing the cloudiness?
Hi there, thanks for your comment! Don’t worry about being too thorough with removing blanket weed prior to treatment- especially if doing so will damage your plants. It’s impossible to remove blanket weed that has grown and entangled itself around oxygenating weed such as Elodea or Hornwort for example and in this instance I would rely on the treatment doing its thing too remove the blanket weed you cant remove yourself. As for aerating the pond during treatment;do you have any livestock in the pond currently? As algae treatments work, aerobic bacteria that consume the decaying algae will increase demands on O2 levels in the pond. In most cases this wont be a problem but if you have a static pond and lots of fish it might be something to think about. If you have any concerns the addition of an air pump or water pump temporarily positioned in the pond would be beneficial. Hope this helps! Best regards, Ed
@@CrystalClearAquatics thanks for the reply, no we have no fish just frogs and a newt. We have bought some barley straw for a more traditional treatment before I saw your video. Should we hit the pond with this as well as your remedy?
Small quantities/regular top ups I have no issues filling straight from the tap-no decolorisation or treatment at all. Minimal addition of nutrients or contaminants and honestly no issues at all. I’m sure some strict Koi fraternities would be choking at the thought of this but for ‘general’ ponds it’s absolutely fine. I’d reserve such water treatments for more specialist situations, such as marine fish, discus etc etc.
Thanks for your comment and a good question- I would say cautiously yes, in my opinion it would be fine for use in swim ponds, although once added I’d refrain from entering the water for a few days until the cloudiness has cleared and the treatments fully diluted and dissolved within the pond. For absolute certainly I would contact Clover leaf directly and put this question to them. If you do and get an answer please let us all know their response! Best, Ed
Cloverleaf is my go to treatmant Ed however I've found it not as potent as it used to be , a few years ago I could clear my pond at half dose some people said it worked at a quarter dose, I read it was EU that had something to do with it and why they changed the formula but I'm not sure if that is correct, however It's still the best on the market that i've used.
Hi Martyn, thanks for your comment. Interesting- I cant say I’ve noticed a reduction in its efficiency over the years, but I have always erred on the side of caution and overdosed with blanket answer…. Best regards, Ed
Ive tried some other blanketweed powder but clover leaf, at the moment im fighting a loosing battle, using this other powder fortnightly with no results 😔 now my pond has also started to form foam 😢 i bought barley straw to see if that would help but im so reluctant to use it, should i try clover leaf first? Im out clearing my koi pond every day!
I’ve genuinely never found anything as good as cloverleaf blanket answer. There’s a reason why it’s been the uk’s most popular blanket weed treatments for many years. Def give it a go! However as good as it is you may also want to consider looking into why your pond has such bad blanket weed in the first place and try to resolve any potential issues for a more effective long term solution. Over feeding, overstocking, nutrient run off from surrounding borders/lawn, under filtered, local tap water high in phosphates/nitrates etc etc. such problems will all make it hard to ever get on top of blanket weed issues reliably without first solving the cause of the issue in the first place where possible. Good luck! Best, Ed
Hi there! Aeration has no benefit in the reduction of blanket weed and algae- in some instances it could even make it worse in actual fact! Levels of nutrients within the water and sunlight are the main contributing factor. In this pond there is already plenty of water movement/aeration, with a long stream discharging into one side of the pond and a separate cascade and filter discharging into the other side (as can be seen in the video). In general through some form of aeration/movement-whether thats a fountain, cascade or air pump-will always improve water quality in an otherwise static pond. Thanks for watching and commenting! Best, Ed
Obviously when removing excess blanket weed be careful not to trap baby fish in it as you pull it out. Easily done so check as you go and only remove small quantities at a time. The treatment is fine for all livestock-used a couple of times this year in my pond-with fry and young fish and no issues at all. It’s a great product! Thanks for your comment! Best, Ed
