AlgaeFix

[JengTan]

I had a hair algae problem and tried to use it to remove the problem.

It back fired and I have killed 4 Koi so far and may loose another 4 more if not more.
I was told I had overdose the pond and that was the problem.
I had drain my pond to prevent the rest from getting killed.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what else I can do to help situation?
Anyone thinking of using algaecide is to be very careful.
My feedback is take the fish out and clean the pond separately.

Painful mistake from a NEWBEE.

[mykoi]

AlgaeFix, besides being toxic to koi at a not-so-high level, will also lower dissolved oxygen levels in the pond. A definite no-no with high water temps.

I had a string algae problem this year as well. First make sure your stocking level is in line with your pond size & filtration and you're not over-feeding your koi as they make algae food. You need to test for nitrate & phosphate, algae food. While nitrate is eliminated via water changes, you could make the situation worse if you replace with Raleigh city water. My problem wasn't nitrate, but phosphates from Raleigh water at level of .5ppm out of the tap (.2 is generally accepted max in pond to prevent string algae blooms). If this is the case you'll need to use a phosphate binder periodically for the replacement water or treat whole pond with it - doesn't bother koi, at least not mine.

Existing algae removal - string algae is nasty but twirling it around a rake helps if not too deep. Rather than algaefix use barley straw extract to kill it as it doesn't harm koi and seems to work decently. I would also treat pond with Microbelift PL or similar to help break down the dead algae before it feeds new algae growth.

My two cents from recent experience.
Rob

[tommy h]

If all else fails, Potassium Permanganate will kill the string algie. DO NOT use this without some good advice on how to use this product, I.ll probably have rocks thrown at me for suggesting this, but it works if used correctly.

Tommy Hilliard