Anti Algae and Anti Limescale for water feature

[JoeA]

Hello,

I have an Indoor water feature that consists of a downward waterscreen and tank, and it has been sufferening from smell (due to Algae) and blocking of the nozzles (due to limescale).

Im looking for some products available in the UK which can compare to products called:

Fountec (Anti Algae)
http://www.mcgrayel.com/fountec.html

and Protec (Anti Limescale)
http://www.mcgrayel.com/protec.html

but which are only available in the US. There seem to be plenty of anti Algae products, but for small water features - I need to treat 500 litres of water. And there seem to be virtually no Anti Limescale water feature products available in the UK.

Any Ideas?

Thanks.

[kindredspirit]

Originally Posted by JoeA

Hello,

I have an Indoor water feature that consists of a downward waterscreen and tank, and it has been sufferening from smell (due to Algae) and blocking of the nozzles (due to limescale).

Im looking for some products available in the UK which can compare to products called:

Fountec (Anti Algae)
http://www.mcgrayel.com/fountec.html

and Protec (Anti Limescale)
http://www.mcgrayel.com/protec.html

but which are only available in the US. There seem to be plenty of anti Algae products, but for small water features - I need to treat 500 litres of water. And there seem to be virtually no Anti Limescale water feature products available in the UK.

Any Ideas?

Thanks.

Use Calgon for avoiding build up of limescale. (Use in very small quantities added to water)

Use brick cleaner or concrete cleaner (available in builders merchants) to dissolve limescale. This product is mild hydrochloric acid.

Use chlorine based products e.g. Chlorosan to get rid of algae for a once-off solution. Chlorine will do the job (if dosed strongly enough straightaway) but then loses all future effectiveness within 12 hours.

All these products work out very much cheaper long term than buying specific supermarket or pet shop products.

EDIT: The best solution for long term control of algae is an UV light but that's probably not practical in your situation.

[JWK]

Joe; what sort of water feature is it? Do you have any fish in the tank? If so you need to be very careful about putting any chemicals in the water.

[kindredspirit]

The products I've talked about should NOT be introduced into any water containing fish.

I'd presumed that, as it was a water feature, it did not contain fish, or terrapins or any wildlife.

[watergarden]

my 2p worth

A water feature has nothing living in it, a pond does / can.

You are supposed to use distilled water in indoor water features. (I don't and I know most don't)

You have 2 options

Option 1) Clean it out thoroughly on a regular basis you do need to use bleach at least once if you have algae. Cost: almost nothing Labour: can be hard work at first Problem: only the bleach used to clean it

Option 2 ) Use chemicals
A chlorine based product such as fi clor works wonders (other similar products are available)

Cost: around £20 for tub of mini tabs. Labour drop 1/4 tab in, job done Problem Fi clor is chlorine based, (one tab lasts for weeks) it initially smells (Bleach smells like fi clor since they are both chlorine based) NOT recommended if small children around. Fi clor is a "trade name" but you can google for it or try local swimming pool supply shop. It is also what some commercial companies use in large outdoor fountains.

[JWK]

I must admit I didn't know the difference between a water feature and a pond

[JoeA]

Thanks for the advice so far. Yes sorry I didnt mention, there are no fish or wildlife of any sort in the tank, it is purely for decoration!

Unfortunately the manufacturer of the waterscreen has said that chlorine cannot be used as it may damage the nozzles. The main problem is the smell, as the waterfeature is turned off a lot of the time.

I was thinking about the possibility of using calgon, the only question in my mind is if it would damage the filtration pump that is also in the tank. I have bought a Magnetic Electrolytic Scale Inhibitor and plan to re-fill the tank by running tap water through it, to try and get the water as soft as possible to start with to minimise limescale.

Because of the location of the tank it makes it difficult to drain and clean, so I am ideally looking for a solution that can mean the longest possible gap between replacement of the water in the tank.

[kindredspirit]

Originally Posted by JoeA

Unfortunately the manufacturer of the waterscreen has said that chlorine cannot be used as it may damage the nozzles. The main problem is the smell, as the waterfeature is turned off a lot of the time.

I was thinking about the possibility of using calgon, the only question in my mind is if it would damage the filtration pump that is also in the tank. I have bought a Magnetic Electrolytic Scale Inhibitor and plan to re-fill the tank by running tap water through it, to try and get the water as soft as possible to start with to minimise limescale.

Because of the location of the tank it makes it difficult to drain and clean, so I am ideally looking for a solution that can mean the longest possible gap between replacement of the water in the tank.

Because you have the waterfeature turned off a lot of the time, the water has to get stagnant. Stagnant water smells. Tumbling water naturally cleanses itself, much like a mountain stream does, by absorbing oxygen.

When putting in Calgon, soak it in a bowl for about 48 hours previously so that it is all dissolved. You shouldn't have a problem then with it. You only need a miniscule amount of it.

Don't know how you're going to solve the problem of smelly water without letting the water flow constantly. Possibly, you could, if you get silver tablets. The only place I know where you could get these is a chandlery. Silver might be the way to go. I don't have personal experience of silver tablets but they are used in the marine leisure industry for drinking water tanks.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

[watergarden]

There is your problem

Originally Posted by JoeA

the waterfeature is turned off a lot of the time.

Because of the location of the tank it makes it difficult to drain and clean, so I am ideally looking for a solution that can mean the longest possible gap between replacement of the water in the tank.

You are allowing the water to stagnate too much, it really does need a bug killer product (chlorine or bromine based) to kill the bugs that cause smells, but you said you cant use it.

Also if you can't top the water up easily that means it is warm and evaporating, that will also leave lime scale marks, and that in turn means the water that is left becomes a better bug breeding ground for the bugs that cause smells.

I see two options.(since you can't add a bug killer)

Move it so you can access it, or drain it and clean it and have it as an ornament. Sorry but even water features need the correct looking after to stay in tip top condition.

Standing water is ideal for mosquitos

[JoeA]

Thanks for the advice, I have now been told by the manufacturer that only excessive use of chlorine based products will harm the aluminum of the waterscreen. So I have added some bleach to kill everything, then cleaned out the tank, and re-filled it with softened water, and then added anti-algae products, and some calgon tablets.

Hopefully continued application will keep the problems under control.

Cheers.

[kindredspirit]

Hi Joe,

Let know in a month or so how things have worked out. Always interested to know which products are successful and which are not.

[watergarden]

"chlorine" tablets work wonders. Better than bleach