| My suggestions: 1) maintain the water with low nitrate/phosphate levels and 2) be patient. It is common to decide to scrub the pond clean to get rid of the string algae, or to use an algicide. IMO, these are mistakes. It takes more than a year for the algal community of a pond to mature in warm climate areas. I believe it takes even longer in cool climate areas. String algae is a stage of pond development. If the water has low nitrogen and phosphate levels, other algae will become established and out-compete the string algae. In ponds getting true 4-seasons, you may find that the string algae returns each Spring and then 'goes away', if you do not make the mistake of scrubbing the pond clean and do not use an algicde. It is fine to physically remove string algae by pulling it out. Scrubbing removes the colonies of other algae groups trying to get established (as well as the beneficial biofilm on the pond walls).
Take heart... string algae is something everyone has suffered through. Like the teen years, your pond will live through it. |