5 Key Factors for Green Pond Water

5 Key Factors for Green Pond Water

By Clifford Woods

Algae overgrowth can have disastrous consequences on the well-being of our ponds. Below are five factors that contribute the algae development and how it can be stopped.





#1: Excessive Fish
If this sounds like your situation, then immediately limit the volume of fish or add to the size of your organic filtration system. Keep in mind that fish grow in size and in quantity, therefore the scale your organic purification system which you believed might be the right size in the beginning, may not be the proper size for your pond now.

#2: Seasonal Changes
It is the start of the spring time or the later part of the fall when the pond encounters its largest change in the temperature of the water and biological bacteria development. If this is the situation, try to be calm and give your pond a few additional weeks. 

Every single pond takes around four to six weeks in the beginning of the season to discover its new environmental equilibrium. When this occurs, the pond water will likely be green in appearance. In fact, you can count on it. At any time you increase the water level of your pond during the year, your pond is likely to turn green as well. 

Simply add the most appropriate beneficial microorganism’s solution to provide your pond with good aeration and stay patient. Bear in mind, it will require several weeks, not just a couple of days. Never persistently drain and refill your pond because you will be consistently altering its ecological stability that it's striving to achieve – so give it a hand, be patient.

#3: Accumulation of Organic Matter
For those ponds that have more organic substances, like dead leaves, fish wastes, muck, sludge, and so forth, in them than the amount of beneficial microorganisms in your filtration system where beneficial microorganisms reside and flourish, you may either have to add to the size of your organic filter or increase the total quantity of beneficial microorganisms in your pond.
You can do this by one of two ways; basically increase the size of your filter of add more beneficial microorganism to your pond. You need to be incorporating beneficial microorganisms on a regular basis into your pond in any case.

#4: Too Much Water
Remain calm with your pond as it sets up its new environmental equilibrium. This often completes in about four to six weeks following the previous time you have added extra water. Whenever you add more water, you cause a difference in the pond which causes new algae to prosper and green water to occur. Simply have patience and increase the amount of beneficial microorganisms you add to your pond.

#5: Other Factors That Could Be Causing Algae and Killing the Beneficial Microorganisms in Your Pond
If you are introducing fresh water into your pond on a regular basis; quit doing so now. Allow the pond to find its new environmental stability. In the case that you are including beneficial microorganisms to it, but not disabling your UV clarifier or UV sterilizer, then make sure to turn it off no less than three to four days just prior to when you added the bacteria to ensure that the microorganisms have had an opportunity to attach themselves to the surface area within your pond or organic filter.

A few chemical compounds put into the pond can also be the reason for precisely what is wiping out your beneficial microorganisms. If that's the case, invest in an organic algaecide that contains beneficial microorganisms. You'll be killing two birds with one stone with such a solution as you will be eliminating algae as well as replenishing your pond with bacteria that will improve the pond's overall health.
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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology.
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins in the environment and offer Natural Organic Solutions.
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Sources
"Pond Magician"; Effective Environmental Services
"Pond Maintenance 101"; Awesome Library
"Pond Care"; Planet Natural
"Ponding 101"; 123Ponds
"Seasonal Pond Maintenance Checklist"; Doctors Foster and Smith

Algae Management in Freshwater Aquariums

Algae Management in Freshwater Aquariums

By Clifford Woods




An aquarium tank can be quite the exceptional addition to a home or workplace. There isn't anything more relaxing than viewing fish swimming in harmony through the clear, dazzling tropical water. On the other hand, there is practically nothing more unpleasant than an aquarium tank abundant with algae.

Below are a handful of concerns and tips to assist with algae management.

Just about all fish displays contain algae. A small bit of it is not necessarily harmful, however if it isn't controlled algae can multiply quickly and take control of your freshwater tank which is extremely troublesome to clean, not to mention unhealthy for the fish.

Green algae are normal for most freshwater tank owners. The two main varieties, green dot and hair, can be time intensive in addition to difficult to eliminate from the aquarium. These algae grow quickly in fish tanks that get an excess of sunshine.
The darker types of algae, such as black brush, generally grow soon after the initial set-up of the tank.

The algae development in fish tanks that have already been set up for a longer period of time may be related to problems with the level of phosphate or nitrate in the water. 

The growth of these algae may also linked to excessive amounts of light. In order to eliminate it from the fish tank, in most cases you have to clean the entire tank extensively, decrease light exposure, and also make certain that the water condition is at a suitable temperature.

Blue-green algae and red brush are two additional varieties of algae that may develop in a fish tank. The red brush variety generally has a tendency to form in fish tanks having higher pH levels.


Blue-green algae are a slimier type which can be dangerous to both vegetation and fish in the tank.

One of the better processes to inhibit the development of numerous algae would be to manage lighting. For algae management, never place fish tanks close to windows and be sure to reduce the lighting to eight hours on a daily basis. Employing a lighting timer is a fantastic way to supply your fish tank with suitable quantities of light.


Much like your fish, algae have to consume to live. Algae develop best through taking in phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. You have the capability to significantly enhance algae management in freshwater fish tanks by making certain that your tank is not overwhelmed by fish waste products, excessive food, or rotting vegetation. Additionally, perform water adjustments regularly and use a properly measured filtration system. Incorporating algae consuming agents to your aquarium would be a good option. Snails and algae-eating species of fish are able to assist in the management of algae within the tank.

You should be aware that snails can populate remarkably quickly, however with proper control including a snail and an algae-consuming species to a fish tank could very well be an excellent idea. Take note that when all of the algae are consumed, you are going to have to feed these fish with store-bought food.

It is not unusual for algae to start to re-populate within a clean fish tank during a time span of just three weeks. For regular algae regulation, be mindful with regards to overfeeding your fish, promptly remove any dead fish from the tank, be aware of the amount of light that the aquarium receives, and also use some type of filtering method. Additionally, remove any obvious algae with a scrubber designed for this sort of cleanup.

A really simple way to eradicate algae from a freshwater fish tank would be to apply a probiotic algaecide. This type of solution is perfectly safe for your fish and actually benefits the water in numerous ways due to the beneficial microorganisms contained with the product.

Sources
"How to Care for Aquarium Fish"; Animal Planet
"Aquarium Water Care"; PetSmart
"Pond Magician"; Effective Environmental Services
"Pond Maintenance 101"; Awesome Library
"Pond Care"; Planet Natural
"Ponding 101"; 123Ponds
"Seasonal Pond Maintenance Checklist"; Doctors Foster and Smith
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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology.We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins in the environment and offer Natural Organic Solutions.

Beneficial Microorganisms and the Environment

By Clifford Woods

Our culture has become obsessed with eliminating bacteria; using gels and wipes to kill all the microbes that we have associated with illness, infection and death. But there are many types of microbes that are beneficial, which are helpful, even helping us in our fight against global warming by breaking down plastics and cleaning up pollution. Someday perhaps even developing into a cure for cancer.

Beneficial Microorganisms Bacteria or microbes are everywhere in our world, and their presence of course has an effect on the environment they are living in. These effects of microbes on our environment may be beneficial or harmful, with some having no effect on humans at all.

Beneficial Applications Outside the body, microorganisms are used widely in various applications that are beneficial, including pest control, food, as well as symbiosis of plants and stimulation of growth.

Oil Spills There are assorted types of bacteria that can clean up the environment when major petroleum spills happen. There is a specific strain of bacteria called Alcanivorax that will quickly increase in population whenever an oil spill offers for them, large amounts of food, and they are able to remove much of the oil from these spills. They were at work in the Gulf of Mexico during the Deep Water Horizon spill and are probably still there to help undo the damage that was done to the Gulf. Because they are able to help in this area, they provide an effect that is beneficial to our environment. This incident brought to the attention of scientists even more beneficial microorganisms that feed on oil than originally first thought. It is estimated that the annual seepage in the Gulf of oil is 140,000 tons and these microorganisms take care of that.

Produce Electricity There are still other forms of bacteria having tiny wire appendages referred to as nano-wires and they not only digest toxic waste including PCBs and chemical solvents, they can also produce electricity while they are digesting the toxic waste. One bacterium, called Shewanella, is a type of microorganism from the deep sea that grows these nano-wires that seek oxygen when placed in low-oxygen environments. Experts discovered that when the nano-wires are pricked with electrodes of platinum, they are able to carry a current. If these capabilities are harnessed effectively, they one day could be used in sewage treatment facilities to not only digest waste, but at the same time provide the power for the plant. There is currently no analytic on this form of bacteria.

Bacteria and Plastics Non-biodegradable and far too present on our planet, plastic becomes a great problem when it comes to disposal. But in 2008, a student in Canada carried out an amazing science experiment where microorganisms were able to eat plastic. Since that time, research teams have been working on the development of this ability and how to use it to our benefit. At the University of Dublin, a professor got these bacteria to metabolize plastic bottles that were cooked down into a new type of plastic that is biodegradable.

On Their Own In the earlier part of the year, experts discovered that beneficial microorganisms were already breaking down plastics in the world’s oceans on its own, but it has not been shown whether this will have a negative or positive effect on the environment. Some items such as fishing line as well as plastic bags are being devoured by these bacteria; the problem is that this waste could have potential harmful effects to ecosystems in the ocean as it travels up the food chain. These are just several different ways that microorganisms are being beneficial to our environment. However, there is a greater need of research in the area.

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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology
Find out more about Beneficial Microorganisms
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and offer Natural Organic products

PLANTS IN PONDS

By Clifford Woods

Plants in ponds will reduce the amount of algae that is able to grow, but also use the waste from the fish to give a natural water filtration system.

Plants below the water:These plants are the major contributors to water quality. They will oxygenate the water during the day and provide oxygen for the fish as well supplying excellent shade. Submerged plants compete with algae for use of nitrogen produced from fish waste and decaying plant material.
If you pot these plants it will allow for easy removal for thinning or when winter comes.

A few examples

Jungle Val - Hornwort - Cabomba

Floating and Surface Plants
Pick plant species that grow flowers and leaves on the surface of the water. The difference between floating and surface plants is that floating plants float freely on the water’s surface without attached roots, while surface plants have roots that extend down and anchor into the pond’s soil. Remember to remove plants if coverage exceeds two-thirds of the pond's surface area.

A few examples

Floating Plants:Duckweed - water lettuce

A few examples

Surface Plants: Hawthorne - Four Leaf Water Clover- Water Lotus

Side or Marginal Plants
Plants that grow well in moist or soggy soil or that grow well in standing water. Plant them along the side or edge of your pond. They will root in the soil and their foliage will spread out over the water. Careful to not choose plants that grow rapidly or that will spread to much and too far.

A few examples

Western Blue Flag Iris - Sweet Flag - Dwarf Bamboo

Advice: cleaning your pond and using only organic pond cleaners, makes for healthy ponds, happy fish and thriving plants and it also contributes towards a safer environment for any adults, children or pets spending time in the yard.

Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services

and Organic Environmental Technology.

We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and offer Environmentally Friendly products.

What You Need to Know About Healthy and Organic Aquariums

What You Need to Know About Healthy and Organic Aquariums

By Clifford Woods

Since an aquarium is an environment that is artificial, it needs intervention from the owner. This intervention is needed especially during the initial period of set up as it is hard to be certain about the quality of the water. In most of the cases, water that is used is from the local water source might contain chemicals that are harmful to the fish, so it is imperative to pay attention to water quality at the source. Other than toxic chloramines and chlorine, the source water might also contain phosphate, nitrate, calcium, iron, silicate, and other chemicals in different quantities.

This is not the water to use for healthy and organic aquariums.

The clarity of water is not a real indicator of the quality of water. Testing the water at the source is the only way to know what is in local water. Test results will decide the pH adjusters/buffers and water conditioners needed to adjust the water conditions to what is needed in aquariums.
While the majority of aquarium fish are able to regulate water that is less than ideal, some species are so sensitive that they need precise conditions to flourish. So, knowing what is in the source water is very important, as action may be needed.

Phosphate and nitrate are major plant nutrients. Increases in these chemicals not only lower the quality of water, but can also affect aquarium health. The presence of these elements in high amounts often means high levels of organic material that is decaying, which is not suitable for healthy organic aquariums.

Waste materials in excess not only contaminate aquarium water, but also affect the pH of the aquarium. Some inhabitants of an aquarium are really sensitive to low amounts of nitrate. The precipitation of magnesium and calcium ions can lower abilities to buffer and eventually disturb aquarium pH or make it difficult to keep the pH stable.

Dissolved calcium can also make it hard to reach desired pH levels for freshwater fish that need conditions that are acidic. There is water conditioner that is multi-purpose and can detoxify nitrate as well as ammonia, chlorine, and chloramines in the water, making it an enormously beneficial aquarium accessory to have around. When the concentration of iron is high and dissolves in your tap water, it may tinge the water and give it a reddish and cloudy condition. This condition is more noticeable in aquariums, with oxygen content that is high. Iron that dissolves not only defaces the look of the aquarium, but also lowers the quality of the water.

The best means of eliminating dissolved items from tap water is a purification system can be used on the tap water. A “reverse osmosis” unit is the best filter you can buy. This filter powers water to go through a semi-permeable film that removes 90-99% of impurities from tap water. The result is water that is free of contaminants as well as minerals and makes water suitable for healthy organic aquariums.

One of these filters can be obtained for the aquarium itself. The major purpose for weekly or monthly maintenance is to remove organic matter from the aquarium. Generally, there are 2 types of organic wastes – dissolved and particulate. Particulate organic matter is the stuff that can easily be seen developing on the filter pads and in the gravel. Simply remove the filter pad, rinse it well and also wash the rocks.

These are all simple tips and what you need to know about healthy and organic aquariums.

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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental TechnologyFind out more about our Organic Aquarium Cleaner - Aquarium MagicianWe brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxinst and offer Environmentally Friendly Products.

The Value Of Clean Water

By Clifford Woods

It is a known fact that clean water is essential to all living things to be able to survive. With the environmental changes occurring at present however, the environment is at risk of losing clean water with all the uncontrolled pollutants that are incorporated in the water system.

There might be a time when clean water scarcity will be experienced all around the world.

One solution in addressing the problem of contaminated water is the use of beneficial microorganisms.

Beneficial microorganisms, either in the form of bacteria or fungi, have the ability to breakdown almost anything to use them for food as a source of energy. They are the reason for the decay of organic materials in the environment. Beneficial microorganisms, which we commonly term as good bacteria, are very helpful to the body since they fight harmful microorganisms or bad bacteria.

Aside from their benefits in the body, they also have some benefits in our environment, such as helping in production of clean water. These beneficial microorganisms are versatile; they can adapt to any type of environment they are in. These have the ability to clean water and thus, they are incorporated to dirty ponds and lakes that need to be cleaned up. Although there are natural floras already present in the local environment, they have already been depleted by pollution and thus, the need to incorporate cultured microorganisms into them is imminent. 

Beneficial microorganisms may be incorporated in ponds to produce clean water. Some types of beneficial microorganisms break down toxic ammonia present in ponds. They break them down into nitrites, which are converted into a useful form. An increase of nutrients present in the pond environment can also become harmful, beneficial microorganisms also feed on these excess nutrients. A pond that is full of algae and dead plants has its oxygen content of the water depleted. The introduction of beneficial microorganisms can help clean water by feeding on these dead plants and algae and emitting oxygen back into the water. The pungent odors due to increase in algae and dead plants are also reduced. In this way, other living things present in ponds and lakes, such as fish are able to thrive in the environment. And people enjoy the clean water caused by beneficial microorganisms too.

Bad bacteria present in a pond environment can cause illness to humans resulting in ulcers, septicemia, and gastroenteritis. These harmful microorganisms are incorporated into water systems that mix with water sources and then come out in tap water, which all the while is thought as clean water. Beneficial microorganisms can eliminate stomach illnesses by releasing antibacterial properties.

Beneficial microorganisms are able to balance the ecosystem around their environment to help other living things to thrive, such as in the case of ponds and lakes to keep clean water flowing. 

However, if the beneficial microorganism is out-numbered by harmful organisms and substances, the rate of pollution is faster than the breakdown from the beneficial microorganisms. They cannot do the entire job alone and so there is a need for humans to maintain cleanliness in the environment and to reduce pollution as much as possible to have unending supply of clean water. 

It is important to implement methods that will keep the correct balance of both algae and bacteria so that a healthy ecosystem is maintained. Where matter and waste are allowed to collect in the bottom of the pond, the oxygen content eventually decreases, which means that beneficial bacteria or microorganisms are unable to control for high levels of ammonia and nitrites. Even the application of a pump or filter to aerate the water will prove ineffective.

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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology
Find out more about our Benficial Microorganism Pond Cleaner - Pond Magician
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and offer Environmentally Friendly products

Hydroponics and Beneficial Microorganisms

By Clifford Woods

Hydroponics is a subtype of hydro-culture or growing plants in water with nutrient solutions. It is a soil-less way of planting. Hydroponics derived its name from the Greek word “hydro” or water and “ponos” meaning labor. William Frederick Gericke of the University of California at Berkeley was one of the first ones to cultivate plants on mineral nutrient solutions. Gericke coined the term hydroponics in 1937 (although he asserts that the term was suggested by W. A. Setchell, of the University of California).

Through these types of studies, it was discovered that plants could thrive not only in soil, but also in water, since water contains the essential nutrients and beneficial microorganisms that are also present in the soil.

Hydroponics turned out to be more advantageous than soil culture, because pests are easy to control in this type of system. In natural conditions, soil acts as a mineral nutrient reservoir but the soil itself is not essential to plant growth. When the mineral nutrients in the soil dissolve in water, plant roots are able to absorb them. When the required mineral nutrients are introduced into a plant's water supply artificially, soil is no longer required for the plant to thrive.

Almost any terrestrial plant will grow with hydroponics.

Since the water environment of the plant can be controlled, nutrient solutions can be incorporated into the water depending on the nutrient needs of the plant. Many hydroponics growers also incorporate beneficial microorganisms as supplements to nutrients in the water.

There is actually a full range of ways to benefit from beneficial microorganisms, which can be utilized in hydroponics. The secret is only to know when to apply and how much to apply. Here are some of the benefits of beneficial microorganisms.

Development of Seeds and Clones Beneficial microorganism is not just used on the hydroponics systems itself, but also for propagating seeds and also on developing the cuttings. This stage of crucial development in plant life and beneficial bacteria will help boost the growth and development of these plants and cuttings. During this time, beneficial microorganism incorporation should be three times the normal use.

Elimination of Pathogens in the System Harmful microorganisms that cause diseases increase even in the hydroponic systems during root development. These harmful microorganisms, which are also called pathogens, result to plant diseases or plant death. There are certain types of beneficial microorganism that kill these pathogens. It is important to know what type of pathogen is attacking the system to know what type of beneficial microorganism to incorporate in the hydroponics system. Moreover, these also strengthen plants defences against harmful pathogens in a way like the immune system is boosted by supplements.

Boosts Nutrient Uptake of Hydroponics Plants Most beneficial microorganism types boost the nutrient uptake of plants in the hydroponics system by keeping the roots healthy by strengthening roots and increasing root size, since it is the one responsible for absorption. When spraying leaves with foliar fertilizer, these microorganisms may also be incorporated in the solution to enable the stomata of the leaves to absorb better.

Makes the Environment Suitable for Plant Growth Beneficial microorganisms control the environment such as correcting the atmospheric nitrogen and producing nitrogen for plants, since plants cannot produce their own. Some fungi types also help in assimilating phosphorous when incorporated in the hydroponics system.

Hydroponics is a new way in cultivating plants where the environment can be controlled to eliminate any usual problems experienced from soil gardening. The strategy is to provide an environment that plants can thrive on and this is through providing the correct amount of nutrients supplemented with incorporating beneficial microorganisms.

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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology You can find out more about our Organic Lawn and Garden Product
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and offer Environmentally Friendly Products.