reddish tinted water in pond

[bigredsowner]

I have 4 mallard ducks and the water in their pond keeps turning a reddish tint --- any clue as to why?

 

[MiniDriver]

Could be algae, feeding on the delicious duck poop.

That's my best guess.

 

[WikkitGateFarm]

Rhodophytes!

It's really just an aesthetic problem, but there are ways to manage it. How big is the pond?

 

[bigredsowner]

6 feet wide and about 2 feet deep-----do you think it is harmful to my ducks. It did this about two weeks ago -- I drained the pond and refilled it but it has a reddish tint again.

 

[brewmiss96]

would barley balls work for this?

 

[bigredsowner]

whats a barley ball? and where can I buy them?

 

[pierce652]

A barley ball would work.

 

[ozzie]

whats a barley ball? and where can I buy them?

Barley for ponds

cheers
ozzie​

 

[WikkitGateFarm]

It's harmless, and in a pond that size, will always come back. Try barley straw if you don't like it, but on a pond that size, you'll probably be encouraging growth. The nice part about this is if it doesn't work, a water change will be easy and will put you right back where you started, so feel free to experiment!

Can you move the pond into the shade? Or if it's in the shade now, into the sun? (It'll probably get green algae then.)

 

[GallowayFarms]

Do you have red clay in the yard? Your ducks might be playing in the dirt then getting in the pond with dirty feet. I leave pans out with cool water for the chickens to play in and they are always turning the water red with mud. Just a thought.

Good Luck

Nick