A Detailed Look At Filamentous Hair Algae
Out of all the problematic species of algae which are found in ponds, the most feared as well as the most ambitious are filamentous hair algae. These algae species are very relentless, rapidly reproducing and has the ability to cling on to any surface present in your pond. Filamentous hair algae are also the most popular or very well recognized algae species in the field of pond care. It is quite easy for a pond owner to identify filamentous algae by its unique characteristics like hair-like mats. The worst part about these filamentous hair algae is the fact they look very ugly and they dirty your pond to a great extent.
At the first instance you may well think that filamentous hair algae would be in the form of single-cell loners in ponds pretty much like the planktonic algae. But actually they are unicellular; the cells are benefitted by the presence of other filamentous algae cells. Because of this the algae grows together in form of thick, hair-like strands which is able to cling to the surfaces of the pond. There are many kinds of filamentous hair algae species: Spirogyra, Pithophora and Cladophora.
Spirogyra filamentous hair algae can be easily identified by its bright as well as almost neon-green color. When you look at the microscopic level, this kind of hair algae looks like a DNA helix. In the environment of a pond it looks very slim and usually has very thick bubbles of scum which would surround it. Cladophora is another very common filamentous hair algae which resembles like cotton. In case if you have a look at the shallow parts of the pond, more often than not you will find Cladophora. Cladophora has the look of tiny plant-like stalks look hairy and undulate. Pithophora comes third in the list of most common filamentous hair algae; they grow in very thick as well as long strands. Pithophora otherwise also known as "horse hair" algae because it looks like thick long hair and feels quite like wool.
The first time you will first notice filamentous hair algae mostly in the shallow parts of the pond which you have. In case you have a waterfall, or several pond ledges, they will establish themselves in the shallows which appear in the bottom. When they in small groups these filamentous algae are generally very harmless and will not multiply or be as prolific as planktonic algae. The only way it generally gets out of control when you have high nitrates as well as waste in your water, which would tend to become food for them. Unnoticed and carelessly left filamentous algae can very grow quickly making your pond look like a large mat of green scum.
To prevent an explosion of filamentous hair algae you should fill your pond with plenty of plants and ensure that your pond has got a good filtration system in place. Plants tend to compete with algae for oxygen and nitrates resulting in stopping the growth of algae while also providing shade. All of these things would save your pond from being overrun by algae.
At the first instance you may well think that filamentous hair algae would be in the form of single-cell loners in ponds pretty much like the planktonic algae. But actually they are unicellular; the cells are benefitted by the presence of other filamentous algae cells. Because of this the algae grows together in form of thick, hair-like strands which is able to cling to the surfaces of the pond. There are many kinds of filamentous hair algae species: Spirogyra, Pithophora and Cladophora.
Spirogyra filamentous hair algae can be easily identified by its bright as well as almost neon-green color. When you look at the microscopic level, this kind of hair algae looks like a DNA helix. In the environment of a pond it looks very slim and usually has very thick bubbles of scum which would surround it. Cladophora is another very common filamentous hair algae which resembles like cotton. In case if you have a look at the shallow parts of the pond, more often than not you will find Cladophora. Cladophora has the look of tiny plant-like stalks look hairy and undulate. Pithophora comes third in the list of most common filamentous hair algae; they grow in very thick as well as long strands. Pithophora otherwise also known as "horse hair" algae because it looks like thick long hair and feels quite like wool.
The first time you will first notice filamentous hair algae mostly in the shallow parts of the pond which you have. In case you have a waterfall, or several pond ledges, they will establish themselves in the shallows which appear in the bottom. When they in small groups these filamentous algae are generally very harmless and will not multiply or be as prolific as planktonic algae. The only way it generally gets out of control when you have high nitrates as well as waste in your water, which would tend to become food for them. Unnoticed and carelessly left filamentous algae can very grow quickly making your pond look like a large mat of green scum.
To prevent an explosion of filamentous hair algae you should fill your pond with plenty of plants and ensure that your pond has got a good filtration system in place. Plants tend to compete with algae for oxygen and nitrates resulting in stopping the growth of algae while also providing shade. All of these things would save your pond from being overrun by algae.
