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Dick: I think it would be interesting to understand why the algae in that pond goes through those cycles. If it was annual or once in Spring and again in Fall, I'd suspect it was water temperature shifts with the seasons giving the right conditions for a burst of growth, with a decline occuring when temperatures went above or below the ideal range. I would also speculate that if it coincides with shifts in water sources, that there is higher iron levels in one source than another. Wells can vary in iron content according to the rate of percolation of rain water through the soils. I recall reading of a situation where iron content fluctuated in well water. Seems it took about 30 days for rain to percolate to the zone where water was drawn. During the height of the rainy season, the ground water was fairly low in iron content. As the rains tailed off, iron content increased beginning about 30 days after rains slowed. Any micro-nutrient can be a limiting factor for a particular type of algae. Iron is frequently the key element, but it will vary from place to place.
Jason: The turnover rate difference could matter. The combination of current, oxygen level etc alter the growing environment. My pond turns over every 45 minutes, but much of that flow does not receive full filtration treatment.
Maurice: Well, I'm thinking about re-doing the pond, so maybe some type of shower will be in my future. But, that's a different thread!
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