If you have green water "pea soup", you won't be able to clear this with snails..., but they/snails will graze on pond liners that have a covering of algae. Your best bet would be to provide shade...cover a large amount of the waters surface with plants (they feed on suspended algae) and also, doing water changes would help too.

Kathie

I agree about the 'suspended algae' and the need for plants to provide shade ~ good call. Hopefully I'm attaching a pic of the pond (never done it before). It was taken in early spring right after cleaning, but has been green since. It gives a better idea of the size and location.

The flowerbed looked pretty sparse and 'dotty' as early spring beds do, but is filling in now and will be lush in another month. In spite of this, nothing here will really provide adequate shade for the water, so adding aquatic plants is the answer.

I'm not sure what plants would provide enough shade while still allowing easy access for wildlife and some water view. Are you familiar with plants more apt to live off of the suspended algae? Any help is so appreciated !

Couldn't get photo to load ~ drat !

You could use some Water Hyacinth...this grows and separates into new plants rather quickly and you'll only need a few to get started. Also, there are water lilies out there that would help shade your water. I know that in my pond, the frogs love chillin' out on the lily pads and their flower will add pops of color.

I really don't think you'll have trouble with the wild life not being able to get to the water...they will figure it out and once they do, they be around all the time.

I even have chipmunks that drink from my waterfall!

Good luck. Kathie

Thanks ! Picked up water hyacinth today. Also bought a few 'mosquito eaters'. A few days ago I dug a small hosta and floated it on a small piece of foam. Did the same with some chocolate mint. May regret the latter decision, but in the mean time the little bit of shade and detraction from green water is a good thing.

My chocolate mint is well behaved in the pond (between the heron's feet). But the spearmint in the waterfall pot is huge (you can hardly see the pot from the front) and every year I have to pull out handfuls to keep it in check but that is okay because its roots clean and filter the water that goes thru it. Here is a picture from this week. It started out as a small plant I overwintered in the sunroom. I overwintered 4 water hyacinth and you can see how well they are doing and I have taken a bunch to the compost pile already this year. I have my fake herons on guard. I have lost 2 of my favorite bigger fish to the hawk or the feral cat since I removed the netting :c(.

You're pond is beautiful and quite an inspiration ! I'm glad to know your mints and water hyacinths are doing so well. Today a friend brought a cup full of little tadpoles she found on her pond cover. In putting them into the pond I discovered several clusters of frog eggs on the pond water. So happy! Hope these little guys make it ~ the last batch disappeared.