water feature

[twinny_15]

I have a concrete water feature and it is full of blanket weed and keeps blocking the pump, has anyone any ideas how to get rid of it? Stupidly we put it in full sun and it is too heavy for us to move, would still water be any better? thanks in advance.

[Thunderbird+]

In my opinion the blanket weed will grow just as well in still water, its main requirments are light and nutrients, in that order.
You can buy various products and chemicals that can control this fillementus algae or small bales of barly straw or lavender.
If its possible to exclude the light for a spell until its all died off, I think this would be good option, if you can sheet it or board it over (although not too pretty)
What cured my small pond of this weed back in the spring was the introduction of tadpoles, which ate it, I them allowed a small water lily to cover about 3/4 of the surfice and also controlled some duckweed to help filtre out the light. Hope this helps T bird+
Ps You may like to think about some shading with some shrubery as a long term plan. Good Luck.

[twinny_15]

thanks will cover it to kill it as then will be easier to clean and remove it thanks

[Plocket]

You need to remove as much as you can from the water feature and then try to stop it growing. I put black food colouring in the water of mine to stop algae growing - it's only about 50p a bottle and depending on how big the water feature is you might only need about half a bottle. The sunnier it is the quicker the colour fades, but it should last you a few weeks. It's also safe because my cat still drinks the water!

[twinny_15]

That sounds a brilliant idea,thanks i will try that one look quite good too