I have to admit, sunny days make me happier.
But everything comes with a price they say, and sometimes the price you pay for ample sunlight is pond algae.
In the case of green water, which is caused by numerous single cell algae, the sun can play a major role in it’s growth.
After visiting with many pond owners over the years, when we get calls about green water, one of the common questions we’ll ask is, “does the pond get a lot of sun exposure?” The inevitable answer is almost always, “yes”. Other pond owners that had several ponds were often quick to point out that the ponds in some shade, were often clearer, and the pond’s in the sun were quite green.
Now don’t get me wrong, you want your pond to be exposed to a bit of sun…that’s just a good thing for desirable plants and your fish too, but too much of a good thing can often cause some problems.
Shading A Large Pond
In reality, green water (and sun exposure) can affect any size of pond. Large ponds that have the problem tend to be a bit more shallow, and they may have some stagnant water conditions. Large bodies of water can obviously be more challenging to shade than a small one, and about the best tool we have for that is pond dyes or tints.
Pond dye for large ponds usually comes in quart bottles which are concentrated formulas. Each quart will treat up to about an acre area that is four to six feet deep. Colors vary from blue, black, to a black/blue combination. The latter two colors tend to provide a bit more natural appearance in most ponds.
Pond dye may or may not be enough to clear a pond up of various problems but it does work well in conjunction with things like beneficial bacteria, aeration, or ultrasound, as well as many chemicals. In the end, it’s the best way to help limit sun exposure on big waters.
Shading Options For Water Gardens
When it comes to a small backyard pond, there are more options for providing shade.
Pond dye can be used in smaller ponds as well, but be advised, you’ll want to find a product specifically suited to smaller ponds. Don’t use a large pond product in a small pond as they’re often too concentrated.
Plants are probably my #1 favorite addition to a pond to provide some shading, namely because they also provide the added benefit of nutrient reduction too. Anything that can help out-compete the algae in some way is a good thing. Look for floating plants like lilies and lotus, or anything that can cover some of the surface.
And finally, physical structures can be a nice addition for shading a pond if you use a bit of creativity. For years I’ve suggested possibly using large umbrellas over very small ponds, or building a structure like a pergola or gazebo near the pond where doing so might provide some shade.
In recent weeks though, I’ve had several friends mention something called Shade Sails. Shade Sails provide a really attractive and relatively easy way to shade a pond or pool from the sun’s rays. Used as a single shade or in combination, these “tensioned fabric canopies” as they are called will block a reported 90 to 95% of the UV rays while remaining somewhat porous to rain.
You’ll find that Shade Sails come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes.
