Sorry, the title just popped into my head.

I may ramble a bit here, but I am trying to give more insight to my ponds so I can learn from those who have been there.

I also know that some pond keepers have very strong opinions, from adding bacteria is a waste of money to its the best thing since sliced bread, and in between. I am a fan.
 
I have been adding beneficial bacteria to my ponds since my first one back in 2017. The first year I also drove myself crazy testing my pond water on a daily basis with one of those big kits that look like something out of a bio lab. I did this; I did that. All to try and keep the water at the recommended parameters. Since the end of that first season, I haven't tested my water once in any of my ponds. The two small ones stay clear, and the fish/plants appear to be very happy.

The outdoor 1600 gal. still struggles with some green water because it is fully in the sun and doesn't have enough plants yet. I am working on growing around the pond as well to help with shading, even thinking of a shade sail.) I use a pressure filter (2x pond capacity at 3200 gph with recommended pump and a 4' lift from pump to waterfall with about a 20–25-foot run to filter and out to waterfall.) with an ultra-violet light, but the sun is winning so far. Not total pea soup. I can still see the bottom, but my other 2 ponds (425 gal each) have spoiled me with their clarity and lack of problems. It will settle down as I can grow more and shade it more. My goal is 60% shade.

Now, onto the subject, using beneficial bacteria. I find staying on the recommended dosage schedule of the bacteria product seems to take care of my pond with little worry on my side. Not counting the sun problem in the large pond, the other two stay very clear, I get minimal algae buildup and the plants and fish seem happy. I do NOT feed my fish in any of my ponds once they are established. I only keep goldfish, from babies to 8 inches or so. I expect them to earn their keep eating algae.

I have used 2 products depending on the pond.

I have used in the large pond:

The Pond Guy Nature's Defense (all year)
https://www.thepondguy.com/pro...
and
The Pond Guy Muck Defense Pond Muck Reducer (winter)
https://www.thepondguy.com/pro...

And in the little ponds:

Microbe-Lift PL Beneficial Bacteria
https://www.thepondguy.com/pro... (shop around for best deal)

If you use either or some other product, I welcome your opinion about it. I also welcome opinions/experience with the pros and cons of adding beneficial bacteria.

It's an interesting subject. Without real scientific testing it's hard to say how benefical if at all adding bacteria is. My guess is once it's established in the pond and filters it's not necessary to add more. On my small pond [125 gal] i add bacteria to the filter when i change or clean the media. I have an Eheim external canister [15watt] with output going to a waterfall into pond. As far as alage it's a delicate balance. I had a small outdoor pond [150 gal] that i dumped and cleaned every year. It would always go dark green after a few weeks than get somewhat better as the season went on. I think that the neutrients in the new water feuled an algae bloom then when most of the neutrients were consumed the algae would die off. I worry that adding fertilizer would spike another algae bloom. I don't know lf bacteria affects algae. The bacteria consumes ammonia and nitrites, not sure how this effects algae. Sorry for the long winded comment.