Blanket weed is a type of algae. Of Blanket weed, there are two types that can be identified although there are various other names people may use to refer to them.
Two types of blanket weed
One type is submerged Blanket Weed, or more commonly known as String Algae. This type can be found growing underneath the surface of pond water, and typically has an anchor point that it attaches itself to such as plants, rocks or the side of the pond.
The other type is floating Blanket Weed. This is the type of algae that better reflects the name of Blanket Weed because it is found floating on the surface on pond water, in a rather blanket like form. It is not embedded onto the bottom of the pond with any stems or roots and does not have leaves. It simply floats on top of the water and can sometimes move around the pond.
What does blanket weed do to a pond?
While Blanket Weed is not a pleasant sight to see within a pond, the problem does not stop there. Blanket Weed, both submerged and floating consumes large amounts of oxygen and has the effect of de-oxygenating the beneficial surrounding plants that provide oxygen to a pond. This creates a harmful environment for both plants or aquatic life such as fish, particularly in warmer weather conditions such as summer, where oxygen levels are already lowered due to the heat.
How to treat and prevent
There are many types of blanket weed treatments and I am sure that you have seen many advertised in magazine or online, but which ones are the best?
We have used many treatments over the years and we mean many! We have found the some of the best treatments come from our own shores in the UK.
We would highly recommend Clearwaters Blanket weed treatment. This has been very popular with customers and has been voted best blanket weed treatment by WHICH magagzine
Another treatment which will not only help with the blanketweed problem but this will also help with chlorine, sludge and adds bacteria to the pond and this is the Blagdon Clean Pond Pods
"One thing we would recommend when treating with any algae treatment is to make sure there is plenty of oxygen in the pond especially during the summer months. This is because the breakdown of algae in the pond will decrease the oxygen levels for the fish and plants." Water World Pond Expert
