Question for Pond Owners

GregJ · Apr 24, 2004

Last summer I did the excavation for a neighbor's pond project. It consists of 2 ponds connected by about 150' of meandering stream. He hired a contractor to do all the plumbing, lining and rock work. Now that it has stabilized over the winter, he has a problem with foam in the lower pond. The rest of his project is clear and looks good. Just the lower pond has foam. A couple of questions. What could be causing this foam (only in the lower pond)? Also, does anybody have a good trick to get rid of the foam?

Thanks for any help,
Greg

Alan L. · Apr 24, 2004

I sometimes get foam along the edges of my tank (pond) caused by choppy water in high winds.

twabscs · Apr 24, 2004

I'm pretty sure the foam is caused by the decay of organic material and is a form of protein (and is lighter than water). The wave action consolidates it around the edges of the pond. The purpose of "skimmers" in aquariums and pools is to keep this material from sitting on the top, etc.

Maybe the lower pond is acting like the skimmer since the water is flowing from the "top" of the higher pond? Just a guess.

I know my 4 acre lake always has some foam around the edges in the spring. Not sure how you would get rid of it.

KiotiJohn · Apr 25, 2004

I helped a friend who had this problem in his pond. What we did was to use a pressure washer to start a wave action in the pond to push the foam to one end and then used a very small mesh net supported on each end behind a small boat to skim off the foam. Has to be done occasionally. John

WCarlson · Apr 25, 2004

Greg,
I have had good luck eliminating foam and scum with Gempler's Pond Saver. <font color="blue"> Pond Saver</font> . It comes in 3, 10 or 25 lb containers and has a two year shelf life. I usually use it in early summer when I start seeing algae bloom or foam scum.
Bill