Looking for suggestions for minimising algae growth in a water feature

Calahonda52

Feature is a granite ball with a hole in middle, with water pumped up through it from a reservoir.

The reservoir is c 100 gallons and water has no natural light, however the algae grows on the ball and eventually chokes the pump.

Reservoir is home to frogs for whom I built access from the shrubbery so don't want to use any toxic chemicals as its also used as a bird bath/ bird drinking..

Thanks as always

homer911

The only thing I have found to be effective is UV treatment combined with filters, or changing the water periodically

Calahonda52

homer911 wrote: »

The only thing I have found to be effective is UV treatment combined with filters, or changing the water periodically

Thanks, any suggestions for the UV filters that have a way of knowing that they are working as you can't just look:eek:

Offgridcoe

Barley straw bale in the reservoir, doesn't have to be a bale some barley straw tied in an old tight or sock normally does the trick

Roselm

If the frogs and birds are in the water it will be getting dirty and the algae is then thriving. I know that isn't a solution but just to let you know maybe why it's happening...

Roselm

Actually you might be best asking staff at somewhere that sells fish as they sell water purification products. Adding charcoal is one option anyway.