Pond AlgaePond Algae may seem unsightly in your pond, but some forms of algae in fish ponds are actually beneficial and a sign of good pond health. Algae lack the flowers and leaves of higher-order plants. They range from single-cell forms that can cloud your pond to sea-dwelling kelp which can grow more than 200 feet long. There are several types of algae that can reside in your pond. 
"Pond scum" is actually a popular term for aquatic algae, which tend to "bloom," or grow excessively in the early months of spring, spreading over the surface of the pond in ugly and stinky mats of green and brown. This sudden rapid growth of these microscopic free-floating algae is called an algal bloom. The algae species that turns your pond water murky when they bloom are called phytoplankton – which is a term that covers all forms that are suspended in water. This is the type of algae that causes green pond water. This situation generally corrects itself in a healthy pond, but sometimes you may want to resort to an algae treatment. Filamentous algae otherwise known as pond string algae will grow naturally on the sides and bottom of the pond, forming a slimy coating. Algae removal in this case relies on mechanical means such as a long rake or wire mesh to pull it off. Mechanical and biological filtration of the pond water will also help. Pond scavengers such as tadpoles and snails can also help control the algae in the pond. Pond algae control in a koi pond should rely mostly on natural or mechanical means. A good quantity of submerged plants will usually starve the algae by outcompeting with them for the nutrients available in your pond. Chemical algicides should be used only as a last resort for algae treatment. Some algicides are toxic to fish, so always use these products as a last resort.
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