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  Mark Watson January 18, 2012 at 10:31am

  Hi Jill.

  Aside from the usual optimum siting,algicides and blanket weed preventatives-can I propose a slightly radical thought- you should look into using pond dyes to achieve your desired effect.A black dye should give you a much enhanced mirror effect as well as helping to keep algae down. They last for months and only a very small amount is needed per unit water.They are fish and plant safe-but would avoid fish if possible as keeping the feature clean will be more difficult. Other colours available, but I think black would suit the contemporary theme. Just google, look on ebay, or click the link below.

  http://hydra-aqua.com/pond-supplies-uk/hydra-black-water-dye.html
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  Mic Watson January 18, 2012 at 10:40am

   Barley straw , little wraps of it hidden in a corner should do it ..
• PRO

  Gary RK January 18, 2012 at 11:10am

  Suggest you take a look at the Dyofix products.

  We have used them in two scenarios and they work well for their stated purpose: www.dyofix.com

  p.s the Black product produces a stunning mirror like reflection, especially on still ponds or water features IMHO
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  Jill Foxley January 19, 2012 at 11:09pm

  Thanks to you all for this info - very much appreciated by myself and the client.
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  Matt Brown January 20, 2012 at 1:03am

  ive never used dyes but barley straw works best in running water not still water. careful planting can help too as the plants consume the nutriants that the algae feeds off. ponds can take up to and over 12 months to properly settle into their cycle, dont be too quick to change the water if it does go green after a few weeks.
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  Mark Watson January 20, 2012 at 9:47am

  You're welcome Jill, do let us know how things turn out.
  
  Jill Foxley said:

  Thanks to you all for this info - very much appreciated by myself and the client.
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  Mulberry January 21, 2012 at 2:07pm

  Hi, you say they want a mirror like contemporary pond and rill. Algal growth is linked to three main things, light, temperature and nutrients present in the water. If they are going to have fish then this will increase the nitrate levels in the water ( via thier waste and un eaten fish food). This will feed the algae and in the summer with the rise in temperature can cause increased algal bloom which absorbs the oxygen in the water and can, if bad enough kill the fish.

   Plants need to occupy at least two thirds of the pond area to effectivly compensate by absorbing the nitrates and providing some shade to the exposed surface.

  The water depth will also effect the temperature. Deep areas of the pond will have cooler water and bring keep the overall pond temperature down in the summer so have some depth, you need to be over 500mm deep in parts of the pond anyway if you have fish so that they can go deep in the winter.

  In essence a combination of plants, water depth and shade are needed to maintain an ecological balance in the pond. Filters will help. The Oase filtral 2000 is good. It sits in the pond under the water, has a uv and biological filter and will help circulate colder water from a deeper area to shallower areas.

  Hope I havn't waffled on too much and this is of some help..
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  Mark Atkins January 21, 2012 at 5:11pm

   

  Hi Jill,

  The maintenance of algae free water on large lakes of which some are irrigation reservoirs on golf courses around the world is achieved biologically. This means that the water source can be from treated effluent water, which at time is loaded with nutrients that are essential for algae growth.

  These lakes are managed by applying a microbial inoculant P-250 where the microbes consume nitrates and phosphates so that the algae cannot get established.

  However, these lakes are a minimum of 3 meters deep and therefore for smaller lakes / ponds more frequent applications may be required.

  Alternately use a dye - that will also create greater reflection even though it will be a false looking reflection and the same as one from the surface of still water.

  The P-250 can be supplied in pva sachets which are simply dropped onto the pond surface and disperse.

  Call / mail on mark@soilharmony.co.uk if you would like more information

  Rgds

  Mark Atkins
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  Andrew Church January 21, 2012 at 10:31pm

  I have recently used "Triple Strike" and brand new product from Australia. Very effective!

  I found it on www.ultrasoil.co.uk on the products page. It was easy to apply and worked within minutes. Worth a look.
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  Rose Lennard April 16, 2012 at 1:45pm

  My wildlife pond had gone a bit murky and green in the hot spring weather and with all the frogspawning activity - I bought a tiny bale of barley straw, it's been in a fortnight, and the water has turned crystal clear - I'm impressed! Of course, it may also have been helped by increased rainfall, lower temperatures and running the fountain more often, but the difference is pretty dramatic and I am tempted to believe that the barley straw really has worked. Definitely better than chemical treatment!

  www.chameleongardens.co.uk

  
   Mic Watson said:

   Barley straw , little wraps of it hidden in a corner should do it ..