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Michelle:
In addition to what Jason and Dick have said, you should understand that it takes approximately 1-2 years before a pond really settles in and what you're going through is a natural progression of breaking in a new pond... We have a new 1700 above ground pond with an aquabead filter rated at 3500 gallons plus a DIY bakki shower (BS) rated for 2000 gallons. The BS was moved from an existing pond so the biomedia was already established when we added our koi (8) ranging in size from 5 - 21". Although all our readings for Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates have been in the safe zone it took 4-5 months for the water to become crystal clear.
You can do the following to help speed the process of eliminating the algae... purchase some 1/4" Black plastic mesh material (usually come in 3' wide rolls) and make 2-3, 18" diameter round cages. You can join the edges and ends with black plastic tys. Make sure there are no sharp edges by covering end seam with foam. Buy some Anacharis (an aquatic plant) from you local pet store and put 2-3 bunches in each cage. Place the cages in the pond...The Anacharis will compete with the algae for CO2 and eventually the algae will disappear. Great for controlling string algae.
The cages protect the plants from the koi and helps to keep the plants out of you filter... You should check your leaf trap daily to ensure that leaves that may break off the plant don't clog the trap.
After a week or so of clear water, pull one of the cages out, wait a week and remove the other. Save in a barrel in case you have to put them back into the pond.
Good luck with your pond... Aloha! Mike
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