What are these bubbles on the pond water surface

Simone_in_Wiltshire

Hello to all

Sorry for asking this silly question, but I couldn't find an answer in the Search. There was one discussion about bubbles, and the common reply was "newts", but I can't imagine that I have got them in my standing plastic pond by the greenhouse. I have the impression that cats and foxes use this pond as water supply.

I will try to take a better picture today but it is very difficult to get a sharp image of the surface close enough to see what I mean: The green on the surface is full of bubbles for weeks now.



Many thanks in advance.

Dovefromabove

‘Stuff’ in the pond is decomposing and producing various gases 😊 

Pete.8

My wl pond has the same.
Just put your fingers underneath and lift it out - or use a net.

Simone_in_Wiltshire

Will do it after work @Pete.8
Thanks @Dovefromabove for the scientific explanation 👍

Lyn

I would take it out too,  I think it’s methane, swamp gas building under the surface.
We get it on the Moors here in the peat bogs but never had it in our pond. 

Pete.8

It's probably mostly oxygen that is being produced by the algae and plants.
My wl pond is small so I just lift it out with my fingers every few weeks during the warmer months, it's mostly filamentous algae (blanketweed), so not harmful, just doesn't look very nice.
Also in the spring, very small tadpoles use the bubbles to breathe from as at that stage they are too weak to be able to break through the surface tension of the water.

Simone_in_Wiltshire

I had taken it out regularly, @Pete.8, but was wondering why it happens and if there is something in the bubbles. I’m just back from the garden. Job done, but there are still algae left. I will change the water in Springtime. 

Thanks to all for your help. 

Pete.8

If you change the water it will get worse unless you're able to refill with rainwater.
My pond is about 5 years old now and gets bits of it here and there, it's normal feature of a natural pond .
The algae is living off nutrients in the water. If you refill with tap water the algae will have a feast and you'll have lots of the blanketweed and green water too. Nothing of concern in the bubbles - it'll mostly be oxygen created by the algae.

Simone_in_Wiltshire

@Pete.8 I have a 200l rain water tank just for the little pond. I haven’t used tab water until now. I will see how it goes in the coming months. 

Pete.8

You're spoiling it
Best of luck

bédé

Dovefromabove said:

‘Stuff’ in the pond is decomposing and producing various gases 😊 

The "stuff" is probably algae.  In the full sun, the "gases" are probably oxygen from photosynthesis.

But the other dead and rotting plant material might be best removed.  It's that time of the year/