Physically remove as much of the string algae as possible before treatment to minimize the amount of decay. Many pond owners will pull the algae out by hand, others purchase a long-handled brush and wrap the string algae around the brush to pull it out.
String algae: We recommend using an aquatic rake or net, or if the fronds are larger enough, you could even try pulling them out by hand. Planktonic algae: Not recommended. You could try a very fine net, but even then, you're only likely to catch large algal cells.
Physical or Machine Solutions
Many people, especially if they have small ponds, choose to manually remove algae with a tool. Pond rakes or nets can dig up much of the algae around the sides and bottom of a pond, especially if there is not a ton present.
Bleach is great for killing algae (and other organisms that may lurk in your tanks) and for keeping it from coming back.
Black algae is a stubborn organism. Its protective outer layer sets roots into the surfaces it clings to. This makes it one of the toughest algae strains to get rid of.
Shock Your Pool
Shocking is the process of adding chemicals to your pool to raise chlorine levels and kill bacteria and algae. We recommend using a calcium hypochlorite shock to treat your algae problems.
Barley straw is a natural way to fight algae. On contact with water, the straw starts to break down, and as it does so it releases peroxides into the water which combat algae. Available in mini bales, or as a concentrated extract of barley straw liquid, it's a natural way of chemically fighting algae.
In the same way that baking soda can be a spot treatment for black algae, household borax does the same for blue and green algae. Simply use the borax to scrub away algae that's sticking to your pool walls, then use the brush to dislodge it. Follow up by vacuuming up or scooping out the free-floating algae.
Mechanical removal of algae: if possible, gather it up and scoop it out. This may only be possible on small ponds. This has the advantage of removing the nutrient value of the algae from the pond system. Treat your pond with an approved algaecide that is appropriate for the fish in your pond.
The Otocinclus Catfish is a favorite among pond owners. These fish always prefer to eat algae over other fish or fish feed. They'll happily suck the slimy algae off of rocks, your pond liner, and enjoy snacking on large clumps of algae. They are one of the best algae eaters to help you control algae in your pond.
Hardware stores and home centers sell products designed to kill moss and algae, but you can save money by using inexpensive chlorine bleach or a non-creamy hand dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn.
To remove green spot algae from your plants, your best option is to cut off each leaf that is covered. As for rocks and driftwood? Take them out of your tank and scrub them with a rough sponge – a hydrogen peroxide solution will kill any pieces that you can't scrape off.
I've had fantastic success cleaning algae from just about every outdoor surface using liquid dish soap and my favorite exterior cleaning brush. This brush is one that's made to clean RVs. It's got lots of bristles that are about 2.5 inches long and they're soft.
If you have an algae problem, your best friend is white vinegar. White vinegar can quickly kill algae but is not harmful to birds, insects and the majority of plants. Use a mixture of one part water to one part white vinegar to spray down the area and kill the algae.
Only algaecides can "kill" algae in pool water. However, baking soda can help clear up algae. Use both so you can restore sparkly, clean water!
Bleach solution
All you need to eliminate the algae is bleach and water. While you can try using water alone, you will need to wash the siding more frequently to eliminate the algae and stave off new growth.
Snails, crabs, and sea urchins also eat algae, but they are known to eat red slime algae, green film algae, hair algae, brown film algae, and many other species of algae in the saltwater.
In general, add one pound of shock to your pool for every 10,000 gallons of water. But if you're experiencing an algae problem, you'll need to add double, triple, or quadruple the amount of shock.
Since Algae is like most plants that thrive off sunshine, depriving them of light will prevent and/or eliminate its growth. The key is to completely shade the tank or aquarium from light for several days (A minimum of 4 day and a maximum of 7 days).
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus cause an overgrowth of algae in a short period of time, also called algae blooms. The overgrowth of algae consumes oxygen and blocks sunlight from underwater plants. When the algae eventually dies, the oxygen in the water is consumed.