Keeping pond water clear the natural way is easy, and you don’t have to use any harsh chemicals either.
In this post I will show you step by step exactly how to get rid of that gross algae buildup and clear the water quickly, without harming your fish or plants.
Several years ago, my small backyard garden pond became completely overgrown with mossy, weedy algae. It was green, cloudy, and disgusting – plus I could no longer see my fish or plants.
I was pretty nervous when I first discovered the problem, and worried that I would have to use expensive chemicals to treat it. Or, even worse, that those chemicals might kill my fish and plants.
It’s normal for ponds to have a greenish or brownish tint to them. However, it’s not healthy when the water becomes mossy, or so green that you can’t see through it.
Well, as it turns out, clearing out the algae naturally, and keeping your pond water crystal clear is easy. Whew!
What Clears Pond Water Naturally?
It sounds strange, but the answer is barley straw. Not only is it completely natural, but it won’t harm your fish or plants, and it’s inexpensive to buy too.
How it works is that, as barley straw decomposes, it releases something similar to hydrogen peroxide. This non-toxic by-product will choke out and kill pond algae, leaving the water crystal clear.
Below I will show you how to use it step by step. However, if your water is brown, thick and mucky, or it smells bad, then first you need to learn how to properly clean your pond here.
How To Clear Your Pond Water Step By Step
If you want to start seeing clear water in your pond as fast as possible, then follow my steps below. You only need a few supplies.
Supplies Needed:
- Toilet brush (or similar)
- Barley straw bundle (instead you could buy it in liquid form, or use the pellets)*
- Twine string (optional)
- Hydrogen peroxide (optional)
* The amount of barley straw you’ll need depends on the size of your pond. The package on the product that you buy should tell you exactly how to figure it out.
Instructions
Step 1: Remove the algae – To speed up your efforts, start by manually removing as much of the algae from your pond as you can. Don’t worry this sounds harder than it is.
An inexpensive toilet brush works great for this task, and you can use it to scrub the insides of your pond walls too.
Ideally, you would buy one to use specifically for this purpose. I mean, what would be more disgusting – using an old toilet brush in your pond, or using your pond brush in your toilet?
Step 2: Make a barley straw bundle (optional) – The barley straw that I use comes in bundles that are too large for my 90 gallon garden pond.
So I made smaller ones out of the mesh packaging that they came in, which I reuse year after year. I simply used some twine string to tie the mesh closed and secure the bundle.
Related Post: How To Winterize A Garden Pond Step-By-Step
Step 3: Add the barley straw to the water – It’s best to put your barley straw near a fountain or waterfall where the water will flow through it.
This will help to circulate the water and clear it much faster. I used a long piece of the twine to hang the bundle from my waterfall.
The bundle will float at first, which isn’t always pretty. But once the straw starts to break down, it will sink so it’s no longer visible on top of the water.
Step 4: Rinse the filter – To jumpstart the process, you should make sure your filter is clear so it can run smoothly and efficiently. I take mine out and rinse it off with the hose.
But you could use some of the water from your pond if you don’t want to risk killing the good algae that’s living in your filter.
If your pump didn’t come with a filter, I highly recommend that you get a universal pump filter box. It will make keeping your pond water clear sooooo much easier.
Step 5: Use hydrogen peroxide (H2O2): It takes a few weeks for the barley straw to work. So, to clear your pond water faster, use hydrogen peroxide (and no, it won’t kill your fish). Pour it right next to the fountain or waterfall to disperse it.
NOTE: I don’t know if there’s a special formula of H2O2 per gallon of water, so I recommend doing some research for your specific pond size. Mine holds 90 gallons of water, and I added a 1/2 cup of H2O2.
Step 6: Rinse the filter daily – I recommend rinsing your filter daily, which will help to remove the algae and speed up the process.
You should start seeing results within a week or so. In no time, the water in my pond was crystal clear, and it stayed that way all summer.
How To Keep Your Pond Water Clear
Once your pond water is clear, you can easily keep it that way for the long-term. Here are my tips for the best success:
- Use barley straw regularly – Put fresh barley straw in your pond every spring. One small bundle lasts me all summer.
- Keep the filter clear – You should get into the habit of rinsing your pond filter every couple of weeks, and probably more during the hot summer months when algae grows the fastest.
- Clear out the debris – Removing any debris that falls into the water is very important to ensure that it stays clear. My skimmer net makes this task super easy.
- Test the water regularly – You can get an inexpensive test kit, and that will help you maintain the perfect balance in your pond so you can prevent algae growth.
FAQs
Pond water turns green because of algae. It’s normal for it to have a greenish tint, but if it’s soupy or has mossy growth in it, then you should work to clear it ASAP.
Pond water turns brown when plant debris, like fallen leaves, and fish waste build up for too long. It’s normal for the color to be brownish, but it should not be mucky or stinky.
Not all types of algae are bad for your pond. But string algae can take over a small pond very quickly. If you don’t get rid of it, it could eventually starve your fish and plants of their oxygen and nutrients.
I love my little garden pond again now that the water is crystal clear, and keeping it algae-free isn’t that difficult when you know how. It’s nice to be able to watch my fish swimming around. Plus it constantly has frogs and salamanders in it too – a wonderful sign of a healthy pond.
Share your tips for keeping pond water clear in the comments below.
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