Getting rid of algae on your garden water fountain

A water feature—indoor or outdoor—adds to the beauty of a building. The soothing sound of flowing or falling water in a fountain refreshes the mind. Some water features also support fish and aquatic plants. If that’s the brighter side, there’s a darker side too to this story. Algae! It can turn your beautiful water fountain into a murky mess, giving out a foul smell. Can you reverse the situation? Well, yes.

It is important to get rid of that algae and bring back your fountain’s charm. Here’s how you can do it: First, completely empty out water from the feature. Be cautious in case the fountain contains ornamental plants, aquatic animals or fish—carefully transfer them to safety. Once it is empty, wipe the interiors using vinegar. You may dip a piece of sponge in vinegar and clean out algae deposits thoroughly. Rinse the fountain and then give the fountain some time to dry completely. You may then refill the fountain or water feature with water, put back the ornamental plants and fish, and resume use.

If you have a large garden water feature, the above technique may not be practical. You could try this instead: Add potassium permanganate to clean the fountain or pond. Potassium permanganate, a natural algaecide, is fish- and plant-safe. Need help with the amount of potassium permanganate you will need? Multiply your water feature’s surface (in acres) by its depth, and then multiply the number by 5.4. You will need that many pounds of potassium permanganate to create a water concentration of two parts per million (PPM). Empty the potassium permanganate into the water.

Another way to get rid of algae from your garden water fountain is to use a chemical algaecide easily available at pond supply stores. When the algae infestation is extreme, you should go down this route. Use it as per product instructions on the pack.

The most important step once you have cleaned your garden water fountain is to keep algae from getting back. A blue pond dye can help limit the amount of sunlight reaching your fountain or pond, preventing algae regrowth. 

Did you know excess nutrients in water can lead to algae growth? Add pond lilies, duckweed, or other ornamental plants that will absorb the excess nutrients from water. It also important to not let debris, leaves or other organic objects remain in water. Regular cleaning is a must. Do not wait until the water fountain is extremely dirty and gives off a foul smell. The less dirty your fountain is, the easier it is to clean it. Include water features in your cleaning schedule. 

However, if you find it difficult or do not have time to clean your garden water fountain, or have a slimy water feature that’s difficult to maintain, we’ve got you covered. Crystalline's regular maintenance services help restore the beauty of your water fountain. Contact us for a free conditional assessment survey. Call us on +971 2 650 8930 or +971 55 716 7017. Visit www.crystalline-uae.com for the complete list of cleaning and maintenance services that we offer.