First of all, it is important to note that murky pond water is not necessarily an indicator of poor water quality in a pond.
Crystal clear pond water does not always represent perfect water quality, either. Most pond owners would like thier ponds to be crystal clear for thier own benefit. This is not a bad thing .. just a natural human response to wanting to view our fish or Koi more clearly!
If you were to ask your koi what water conditions (if they could communicate with you) they prefer, they would choose murky, cloudy water every time – as found in the mud ponds of Niigata.
In any case, before you jump to any conclusions, do a thorough water test on your pond. A complete test (like Laguna’s Master Pond Testing Kit) would include:
- pH
- hardness,
- ammonia and
- nitrite/nitrate
If everything checks out with the above numbers, algae could be the cause of your murky water or cloudiness. Excessive algae growth suspended in the pond water can make the water resemble pea soup. Try Tetra’s Algae Control if you are having algae problems.
Remember – a pond filter will NOT remove suspended algae without help from an UVC (Ultra Violet Clarifier). Most filters these days come equipped with an UVC included in the basic design. This is the best type of pond filter to buy.
If your water chemistry is satisfactory, and the algae is not the cause then the solution to improving your water clarity is to enhance your filtration. Many of our customers have found PondCare Simply Clear extremely effective in clearing thier pond water and is worth a try before purchasing larger or more expensive filtration.
Happy Ponding!
