I use enzyme powder or beneficial bacteria that eats or breaks down the icky stuff in the pond. It's safe for plants and critters. I try to stay away from "chemicals".

Spider,

I have the same issue. I've been told plants, plants, & more plants. 50%-60% of the pond surface should be plants. Use the $50. to buy plants. They should be on sale now in our zone as we prepare for winter. Also for every plant add a BIG dose of patience ;^)

Also rig up a pump (even a standup sump pump)to take your water and run it through ALOT of quilt batting to filter it then back into your pond (per Horton...thanks for the help Horton) stuff a 5 gal. pail full of it and cut holes in the bottom of the pail to allow the water to drain out. Rinse the batting out a few times a day. You will be amazed at what you filter out.

George

I wrap my pump in quilt batting and take it off and clean it about once a week depending on how dirty it gets. Working great right now and my plants started to grow and are looking healthy. I wish I had known to do that in the spring. Am interested in installing a biological filter but not sure if I can built one myself or I should buy one.

Spider, you wrote "I have a pond'need to clean the green out"

I'm not too clear what the "green" is that you need to clean out. Is the water green? Are the sides of the pond green? Or is it something else?

When I clean the green out of my pond, I'm hauling armloads of hyacinths to the compost pile, but I'm guessing that's not what you meant.

Biofilters are east to make and work better than any "chemical", Get a tub with a lid at $ General. Poke a gazillion holes in the lid and notch it on one side for the hose to come out. I used an old soldering iron to make the holes. Put a good layer of Lava rock on the bottom. I keep mine in garment sacks I got at $ Gen. sit your pump in the bottom and covcer it with bio media, or furnace filters, or poly batt. I got smart when I put in my second pond and located the filter by one side of the pond so I could just reach in to get stuff to clean. It needs to be deep enough so that if your pond loses some water, the filter is still covered. Yes I know there are many more ways to build filters that are much more sophistocated than mine, but mine work. My water has been crystal clear all summer, as it has for the past 8 summers. When I was new to this, I, too, tried all the chemicals, etc. but my simple Adam's filter works great! Good luck!

Pond Magician works. It is worth the money. The fish and the plants will be healthier, your pond will be clear and it is all natural. I attached the link to their site so you can read more, but it is worth it!

Here is a link that might be useful: Pond Magician