Why Is My Garden Fountain Green And What Can I Do About It?
You Can Learn What’s Going On With Your Maryland, DC, Or Northern Virginia Garden Fountain And How To Stop It
Having your garden fountain go from a beautiful centerpiece to a green mess is one thing no homeowner wants to experience. But, it does happen, which is why a common question people ask us is, “Why is my garden fountain green?”
Fountains that turn green point to a problem with cleaning or maintenance. When this happens, your fountain will look and maybe even smell nasty. This is one of the reasons people want to fix this problem quickly.
You can find out why your fountain is turning green and what you can do about it in this article.
Why Is My Garden Fountain Green?
Your garden fountain is green because algae are taking it over. This happens when a fountain doesn’t undergo regular cleaning and maintenance. The green comes from algae forming in the water. This discolors the water and can cause the same problem with your actual fountain.
What Is Algae?
Algae is a plant that can be as small as microscopic, all the way up to what is commonly known as seaweed. Aside from size, it can also look pretty different. It is usually either green, brown, or red. It is also very adaptive to its environment.
The two types of algae that can take over fountains are pea soup algae, named for the green color it gives water, and string algae.
The growth and accumulation of algae can be aggravating, hindering your enjoyment of your garden fountain while also potentially clogging the fountain’s filtration system. Regular maintenance of your fountain can help prevent algae growth.
You can help prevent this with regular fountain cleanings, done by yourself or a professional.
How To Clean Your Garden Fountain
Keeping the fountain and its components clean prevents algae growth by eliminating waste materials and nutrients from the water.
- Turn off your fountain
- Remove the pump and any decorative features or stones, setting them aside to clean after cleaning the fountain
- Place the fountain pump in the sink or in a bucket
- Remove its face and brush out any debris before rinsing it under a vigorous stream of water
- Use this same stream of water to back flush the pump to clear it of any debris buildup
- Fill a bucket of water with a few drops of mild soap
- Use a non-abrasive sponge to thoroughly clean the inside of the fountain and remove any algae buildup
- Put the facing back on the pump and put it back in the fountain
How To Control Algae In Fountains
How To Naturally Control Algae
You can add plants to shade the water, preventing the algae from getting enough sunlight to survive.
Another way to keep your garden fountain from turning green is to add beneficial bacteria to it. These use the same nutrients as algae, preventing algae from getting enough nutrients to grow.
How To Chemically Control Algae
You can put String Algae Buster (SAB) in the water. This will help to remove ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates, which bacteria feed on, and also makes surfaces hard for algae to attach themselves to.
If your fountain doesn’t have any plants or fish, adding a few drops to a capful of bleach can help keep the water clear and clean.
Use The Correct Pond Pump
When purchasing a garden fountain, select a pump that is rated according to the size of the fountain to ensure proper aeration of the water. Aeration of the water is another line of defense against algae accumulation since it increases oxygen levels in the water.
Contact Premier Ponds To Take Care Of Your Fountain
Cleaning a garden fountain is messy, time-consuming work. Not everyone wants to do this, and we understand why. But, when it’s done, you’ll have your beautiful fountain back!
Fill out our contact form today so we can talk about how to restore your fountain.