Algae and weed control: I live in a development in northern Ohio and our detention ponds have what looks like algae blooms every year. There is plenty of grass growth, bluegill and...

jrspang25 Loc: NE Ohio

I live in a development in northern Ohio and our detention ponds have what looks like algae blooms every year. There is plenty of grass growth, bluegill and bass are doing well. The overflow into the pond seems to aerate pretty well, but we don't have any other mechanical aeration.

The "algae" happens every spring. Is there a variety of carp or others that would help the weed growth?

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

jrspang25 wrote:

I live in a development in northern Ohio and our detention ponds have what looks like algae blooms every year. There is plenty of grass growth, bluegill and bass are doing well. The overflow into the pond seems to aerate pretty well, but we don't have any other mechanical aeration.

The "algae" happens every spring. Is there a variety of carp or others that would help the weed growth?

We had white emirs (probably spelled wrong) in our pond at my house growing up. They did a great job keeping vegetation growth in check. The bloom you’re talking about may be from fertilizer run off and may be impossible to stop.

Tight lines
J

jrspang25 Loc: NE Ohio

Thanks!

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

J in Cleveland wrote:

We had white emirs (probably spelled wrong) in our pond at my house growing up. They did a great job keeping vegetation growth in check. The bloom you’re talking about may be from fertilizer run off and may be impossible to stop.

Tight lines
J

Right on J, probably after lawn care service comes in and sprays in the spring time 😏. The Government needs to get all of that in check. I'd say a quarter of what they use would more than likely be enough

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

jrspang25 wrote:

I live in a development in northern Ohio and our detention ponds have what looks like algae blooms every year. There is plenty of grass growth, bluegill and bass are doing well. The overflow into the pond seems to aerate pretty well, but we don't have any other mechanical aeration.

The "algae" happens every spring. Is there a variety of carp or others that would help the weed growth?

Sterile Grass Carp are used as an organic method of controlling problematic weeds instead of using expensive and harmful chemicals. They are a non-indigenous species from Asia and can easily become invasive. For this reason, only sterile carp are allowed to be sold in SC, GA, NC, among other states.

Pond Stocking Fish - STERILE GRASS CARP - Southland Fisheries

southlandfisheries.com/our-fish/sterile-grass-carp

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

Gordon wrote:

Sterile Grass Carp are used as an organic method of controlling problematic weeds instead of using expensive and harmful chemicals. They are a non-indigenous species from Asia and can easily become invasive. For this reason, only sterile carp are allowed to be sold in SC, GA, NC, among other states.

Pond Stocking Fish - STERILE GRASS CARP - Southland Fisheries

southlandfisheries.com/our-fish/sterile-grass-carp

That's brilliant, Gordon! I was going to say grass carp, but didn't know sterilized ones were an option.

Ken Bauer Loc: Sherwood Ohio

Tallapia also work but are winter killed. A friend used them every year and would fish them out at the end of the year if he could. He said about the same cost as chemicals.

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

Ken Bauer wrote:

Tallapia also work but are winter killed. A friend used them every year and would fish them out at the end of the year if he could. He said about the same cost as chemicals.

How big do they get in one year🤔

Jim Kay Loc: Franklin, Virginia

J in Cleveland wrote:

We had white emirs (probably spelled wrong) in our pond at my house growing up. They did a great job keeping vegetation growth in check. The bloom you’re talking about may be from fertilizer run off and may be impossible to stop.

Tight lines
J

White Amur.

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Jim Kay wrote:

White Amur.

Thanks Jim!

Jim Kay Loc: Franklin, Virginia

J in Cleveland wrote:

Thanks Jim!

You bet! I think that they eat weeds but may have negative effects of their own.

james hsiang Loc: Maine

Please look to your local town(s) that have jurisdiction over the ponds that have the algae problem. Talk to the selectmen on getting ordinances that limit or prohibit lawn and commercial fertilizing. This may take a lot of hoofing, but may be worth cutting out unnecessary fertilizing. Good luck.