Why is my Garden Fountain green?

Why is my garden fountain green? Algae is a plant that can be as small as microscopic, all the way up to what is commonly known as seaweed. Aside from size, it can also look pretty different. It is usually either green, brown, or red. It is also very adaptive to its' environment.
The growth and accumulation of algae can be aggravating, hindering your enjoyment of your garden fountain while also potentially clogging the water feature’s filtration system. Regular maintenance of your pond or fountain can help prevent algae growth.

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Cleaning your Garden Fountain

Keeping the water feature, and its components, clean prevents algae growth by eliminating waste materials and nutrients from the water. After turning the fountain off, remove the pump and any decorative features or stones, setting them aside to clean after cleaning the fountain. Sometimes you will be able to use a high pressure hose to wash the algae off the fountainscape. If this application is not possible, fill a bucket of water with a few drops of a mild soap. Use a non-abrasive sponge to thoroughly clean the inside of the fountain and remove any build up. Place the fountain pump in the sink or in a bucket. Remove its face and brush out any debris before rinsing it under a vigorous stream of water. You can also use a vigorous stream of water to back flush the pump.  Sometimes this is a great way to get the pump completely clear of debris. Put the facing back on and put the pump back in the fountain.

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Adding Preventative Measures to the Water


If your fountain doesn’t have any plants or fish, adding a few drops to a capful of bleach can help keep the water clear and clean. Another environmentally friendly way to deal with the algae is to put EcoBlast or String Algae Buster (SAB) in the water. This will help to remove ammonia, nitrates and phosphates, which bacteria feeds on, and also makes surfaces hard for algae to attach itself to.

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