Do you have string algae (the long strands of hairlike algae) or carpet algae ( fuzzy green on the rocks)?

Most people just pull string algae out by hand or by using a toilet scrubber. Eventually, both strong and carpet algae will be controlled naturally when the pond plants start to compete for nutrients and begin to shade the pond. Be careful if you decide to use algae killing products, because they can deplete the pond of oxygen.

The pump impeller may be clogged with algae, or it may have burned itself out. Or your GFCI might have "popped".

We need a bit more info to give advice about all you mention. How deep is the pond, how many gallons does it hold, how big is the pump(gallons of water pumped per hour). Nancy is right about the algae and the pump. In any case, the pump and filters should be cleaned (the impeller needs to move freely) for the season. Be sure it is unplugged before you service it. Sandy

Nancy: There was some string algae on the rocks of the waterfall late last summer but I removed it manually. The algae in the pond now is on the rocks and a fuzzy green. I would rather not use any chemicals on it so I think I will try to remove some with a brush and a fine sieve until the plants take over. There are 2 types of water lillies, a miniature cattail (bullrushes?) and an underwater plant that reminds me of the branch of an evergreen tree (I actually thought one fell in at first!) Thank you for the tips on the pump. I will check the impeller and the GFCI to see if that popped once the rain lets up here!

Sandy: I have attached a photo link. The pond is small, roughly 6 feet wide by 10 feet long and about 12 inches deep by the waterfall area (about a 4x6 foot section.) The remainder is about 16-18 inches deep. I'm not sure how many gallons it holds but once I get the pump out I'll hopefully be able to tell you the size of that. I unplugged the pump in the fall when it stopped. Hopefully a clogged impeller and/or triggered GFCI are the only problems.

Hopefully I can get the pump out tomorrow. The rain is supposed to ease up. I will post when I know more. Thanks so much for your help with this!

Bren

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:192141}}

Also see attached photo

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:192144}}

I like the mini lilies, but the algea doesnt look so bad, its kinda natural. When it gets long, it could be annoying thou. I have had simmilar in an aquarium from the filter.

Hi again!

First I have to thank you guys again for the great tips. Long story short: the pump was not burnt out, the GFCI was just popped (yay). I cleaned the pump out and then we tackled the water filtration which is a Tetrapond Clearchoice PF3 (I know, way bigger than what is needed. Great if I want to enlarge the pond in the future.) We figured the pond is roughly 600 US gallons. I couldn't find any info on the pump concerning the size of it, but I will have a better look tomorrow. We ended up taking far longer to clean out the filter than we thought.

Our biggest concern right now is the cover of the filter has a crack in it so we had to shut the waterfall off temporarily. I am trying to find out if I can buy a replacement cover online... meanwhile I will buy some silicone sealant tomorrow and try to fix the cover temporarily.

I went into the pond in hip waders and removed a lot of leaf/plant debris which had algae attached. I'm hoping once the waterfall/filter is running the fish, snails and plant debris leeches will eat away at the algae.

The plants are all coming up well so far.

Any other advice?

Bren

When you shut down your waterfall, pour a pint of Hydrogen Peroxide 3% strength, over the algae covered rocks.
It will foam and fizz up for a moment or two. Then use a sharp spray from your garden hose to wash the rocks off.
Adding a pint of HP 3%, to the water on top of string algae will kill the algae.
HP adds oxygen to the water as it works and it will not harm your fish or other plants.

TIP.
If after a thunder storm or a heavy rainfall, you notice that your fish are gasping at the surface of the water, because of a lack of oxygen, just add a pint of HP 3%, to boost the O2 content in the pond.
Horton"

Breng, I meant to also mention, that covering your GFCI receptacle [if it does not already have a weatherproof cover over it] will help stop those nuisance trips.

The wind can blow rain and snow into the sockets of un-used section of the receptacle and cause it to trip.
Even if you put a piece of duct tape over the un-used sockets, that will keep the moisture out.
"Horton"