Many gardeners use a combination, such as creating a natural balance aided by filters and bacteria. A natural balance is created by installing water garden plants, scavengers, and ornamental fish in proper quantities. Plants with floating leaves, such as lotus and water lilies, are most important because they reduce the penetration of sunlight into the pond, keeping the water at a cooler, more constant temperature. Try to cover 50 to 75 percent of your water garden surface with plants with floating leaves. Scavengers, such as snails, mussels, and tadpoles, are essential because they consume organic wastes that settle to the bottom of the pond, they graze on the sides and surfaces of the pond, and they consume suspended algae in the water.
Most people choose to add fish, such as goldfish and koi, for their ornamental and aesthetic value.
There are bacteria that help control algae by consuming the nitrogen in the water garden. Once such a bacteria is established, the water should be clear except for a thin layer of algae on submerged surfaces that will house the beneficial bacteria. The algicide should be applied according to label directions, with careful attention paid to impact on or the need for temporary removal of any fish in the pond. Filtration is the most common way to keep algae out of the water garden. The filtering process removes suspended particles and helps to oxygenate the water.