How to Keep a Turtle Pond From Turning Green

Algae can build up in your turtle pond, turning it from crystal-clear to a murky green color and preventing you from seeing the beauty that lies beneath the water. This happens because the waste from your turtles and other creatures in your pond creates nitrates that plants like to eat, including algae. There are two solutions that will keep your turtle pond clear of algae.

Things You'll Need

  • Netting or garden fencing
  • Wood stakes
  • Nail gun and nails
  • UV light
  • Large aquatic plants
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Drain the pond and put in some large plants, which will consume the nitrates that the waste produces at a faster rate and in greater quantities than the algae. In effect, you are starving the algae. But since turtles like to eat plants, you will have to build a fence around the plants.

    • 2

      Drive wooden stakes around the plants and staple the netting to them, pulling tight around the bottoms and tops. Be sure plants are completely enclosed. You can also use garden fencing, bending it to fit around the stakes and stapling it in place with a nail gun.

    • 3

      Place the UV light in line with your pond filter to help kill algae as it passes through the filter.

    • 4

      Refill the pond. It will take a little while for the algae to die.