Algae is a friend not a foe!

Algae is not your enemy. Algae are simple plants found in most aquatic environments that can play an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Excessive algae growth, known as an algal bloom, can be problematic because it can affect water quality, such as oxygen levels, and the health of fish and other aquatic life.

In such cases, it may be considered a threat to aquatic life and water quality.

As a result, it's critical to manage and control algae growth in a koi pond by maintaining good water quality, reducing organic matter, and providing adequate amounts of light and nutrients. A well-balanced ecosystem of aquatic plants and beneficial bacteria can also help control algae growth and maintain a healthy koi pond.

Algae can be an indicator species, which means that their presence or abundance can indicate certain ecosystem conditions. Certain types of algae, for example, can indicate the presence of pollutants in the water or changes in water quality, such as changes in pH, temperature, or nutrient levels.

Photo: Green water (or 'Pea Soup') is caused by an algal bloom suspended in the pond water.

As mentioned earlier, excessive algae growth in a koi pond can indicate poor water quality, a lack of proper filtration, or an overabundance of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Monitoring algae growth can be an effective tool for determining the health of a koi pond and making necessary adjustments to maintain a balanced ecosystem.

Therefore, algae can play an important role in indicating the health and conditions of a koi pond and other aquatic ecosystems.