I was looking at some land with a spring fed pond recently on the internet. The pics from ground level showed some algae at the edges. The aerial view looks to be covered in green algae. I understand that the pictures were taken at different times of course. My question is can I kill the algae or at least control it somewhat and not harm the fish?

give lochowranch.com a call or email

Thanks Nickels. I'll check them out. I figure there has to be some way to do it.

Yes you can.

Cutrine will kill it and is not harmful to fish.

Tilapia is a biological control.

Algae is one of the easiest aquatic plants to treat.

Thanks Salex. That's good to hear. I haven't actually seen the pond yet. Might go tomorrow.

But Live Tilapia is illegal in Texas

Copper Sulfate crystals will do the job.

Texas Administrative Code
Next Rule>>


TITLE 31
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION

PART 2
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

CHAPTER 57
FISHERIES

SUBCHAPTER A
HARMFUL OR POTENTIALLY HARMFUL FISH, SHELLFISH, AND AQUATIC PLANTS

RULE �57.113
Exceptions

(i) A person may transport Mozambique tilapia or triploid grass carp to a private pond or facility or possess Mozambique tilapia in a private pond or facility subject to compliance with �57.116(d) of this title (relating to Exotic Species Transport Invoice). Mozambique tilapia and triploid grass carp possessed in a private pond or facility may be removed from those premises only if gutted or beheaded.

I have a half acre pond and I put in 15 pounds of tilapia at he beginning of season and my pond is almost completely covered in algea.

I dont like using chemicals in my pond but I dont know what else to do.

I am assuming I didnt stock enough tilapia? Everyone I talked to said 15 pounds should have been plenty

Well...maybe the situation was so far gone that the tilapia were unable to live in the water. have you seen any of the or their offspring? Or perhaps something ate/is eating most of them. Got bass and/or sunfish?

Sometimes the tilapia are actually pure strain Oreochromis mossambicus which hardly eat the kinds of algae you can "pick up in your hand" and only eat the planktonic algae. Most tilapia are Heinz 57's (multi-hybrid mix of many species) and will eat pretty much anything. 15 pounds of those, if adults, shoulda been plenty.

Using "chemicals" ain't so bad....if you live in a municipality that gets its water from the surface (not from a well) then you drink an' wash in them same chemicals you could use to control the algae in your pond.

Depending upon the particular situation, things like copper sulfate, aluminum sulfate, citric acid, sodium carbonate per-oxy-hydrate, various chelated copper compounds, diquat, and even endothall are very safe and environmentally friendly. There are others that are also safe, but perhaps not quite legal....

I will say that most chemical controls should be done by somebody that knows exactly what they are doing.

I've used Cutrine on filamentous algae on several occasions and it is effective, but not a permanent solution. Many ponds in my area have American Pond Weed around the shallow perimeter which can be confused for FA when viewing from Google Earth.

This is all some great info. Thanks everyone!

I still see some tilapia swimming around. I see them swimming around. They were all 5-9 inches long when I put them in there and know some look close to 2 pounds.

Yes I do have bass and bream in the pond. The biggest bass is probably 2.5-3 pounds.

I have Cutrine Plus liquid also at my house but dont know exactly how to apply it right. I was mixing about 15-16 ounces per gallon of water and putting it out with a pump sprayer. I was only putting out about 6 gallons of the mixture at a time because I read not to over treat the pond or I could kill my fish. My pond is only about half an acre and about 9' deep when full.

How much Cutrine Plus should I be putting in my pond to control the algea at one time? How much total and how long should I wait between applications?

Am I mixing it right (15-16 ounces per gallon of water)?

Follow label directions at it will knock it back. I don't recall how much, but follow the recommended amount. The recommended amount mixed with 10 to 12 gallons on your 1/2 acre pond should be enough.