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Old 10-20-2004   #8 (permalink)
James P
Jumbo
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 631
Food for thought

Space can only support one dominate species. Gas levels, ORP levels, mineral content, micronutrients, light spectrum and intensity and water temperature can give distinct advantages to one species over another. this is important as :

a) SOMETHING must and will grow on all surfaces

b) some species contribute to water quality and as suppliment for the fish. this helps to provide that 'sweet' ' mellow' water we look for.

c) other species thrive on poor water conditions and only add to general organic load of a body of water.

I believe that 90% of ponds start out wrong and the rest of the time is spent trying to get ride of the 'weeds' that result. And as you know, once established, undesirable alage is a bear to try and remove. It is probably time in this hobby that we innoculate our ponds with desirable subspecies and look at undesirable species growth as an indicator of less than ideal water conditions.
Unlike a fish tank, algae must be seasonal and be able to regrow annually. Medications and salinity will influence their return. JR
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