I have been fighting algal blooms forever. Anacharis will control it to some extent BUT the best device is a barrel filter from a graden supply store. It is a couple hundred dollars but it works. You can put it away from the pond in vegetation and cover the hoses with mulch. Algae will bloom as a result of sunlight and it is a natural phenomenon in the spring when the water warms up. I examined my pond water microscopically a few years ago and found lots of euglena. That's a flagelated protozoan with chlorophyll and it makes its own food. If you get a lot of them and the water warms up they will use a lot of the Oxygen in the water and if it gets too hot goldfish will die. I have a waterfall to handle this problem. That and the barrel filter keeps the water clear.

Missa, have you tried running the water through polyester quilt batting? That should trap the fine particulates that are in the water. "Horton"

Kyponder, You can't really tell from these pics but my pond is 3 tiered- the beach area is 0-10", 2nd levels- 18-20", and the center is 32". I have stone in the beach area with sand in between, and stone also on the next level in spots.I too have heard mostly negative about using rocks but the pond just wouldn't look the same without them. The pond is in its' third year and you do get muck that collects between the rock. The nice thing though, most of my plants are sending out roots into the muck and I think this will make them healthier plants. The grasses and parrots feather have taken root in the muck and are starting to spread. I've read that this 'muck' can create an anaerobic problem in the winter when the pond is iced over, but I do keep an opening in the ice with a 'Thermo-pond' deicer for gas exchange. I did lose all my bullfrogs last winter, but I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it, I don't know. The deepest part of my pond doesn't have any stone, that way, when necessary, I can clean the bottom with a 'ShopVac'. Most of your debris will 'migrate' towards the deepest part. I don't like using chemicals in the pond unless I absolutely have to, but this spring I did break down and bought a quart of a product called 'Microbe Lift/SA' (sludge away). It dissolved about half of the sludge that was in the pond and, as advertised, didn't harm any of the fish, goldfish and shubunkins. They recommended regular treatments with it but I was happy with what it had already done and let it go at that. I don't want to remove it all, because, like I said, my plant roots seem to enjoy it. I may use it every couple years to keep the stone in the pond showing. I think the main thing is to try and keep as much debris as possible out of the pond. Being in northern Illinois I have to net my pond towards the end of October, but it's still almost impossible to keep everything out. The pond is one of my best investments. The little maintenance that I have to do is well worth it. Many nights on the deck, after all the dogs have gone to bed, with the floods on the waterfall. Happy Ponding, Witz

Last year my 1/2 whiskey barrel skippy (~30ga) kept my 300ga pond very clean, I ran a 640gph pump thru it, only about a 3' lift. Lots of plants help, and a light fish load (six 6" goldfish/comets). I also made a prefilter that that needed to be cleaned frequently during the spring algae bloom, then all at once when the water cleared I just removed it. After that I had clear water all summer. The "stuff" on the scrubbies is ok. Good bacteria (and some waste) live there. Many people clean theirs, I never do (except to dump it out in the fall for winter). I don't know if there's a calculation for size of skippy vs. size of pond, but IMHO you could/should go bigger, and/or get a bigger pump. I think I read somewhere you want to turn the water over at least once per hour - meaning you would need at least an 800gph pump, and that's before taking into account the skippy, fountain, falls, etc. I can see you might easily go even bigger. I sounds like you're making progress! Don't drain and refill it! You'll just start all over! In general it takes several weeks to let the pond 'cycle' and start to clear. More shade helps at first ( umbrella, lily pads, etc). You're doing all the right things! Keep asking questions, and be patient. Happy ponding! S