Prevent Algae from Growing in Your Birdbath

By flaflwrgrl
December 10, 2011

To keep algae growth from your bird bath drop some pre-1982 copper pennies in. I have what I would call a normal size bird bath & I use 7 pennies. The reason for the pennies being pre-1982 is that before that year, the pennies contained copper, a natural algicide. You could also use a small length of copper pipe or tubing, or any other copper coin. I have found this to work extremely well with the exception of those times when the temperatures stay above 90 for extended periods. Copper is not safe for fish so this would not be a good thing to use in a fish aquarium or a pond that has fish in it.

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Avatar for Dotti
May 28, 2014 7:10 AM CST
Thread OP

Will this work and be safe in a fish pond?
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May 28, 2014 10:05 AM CST
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Name: Trish
Grapevine, TX (Zone 8a)
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Hi Dotti and welcome to ATP!
I'm so happy that you asked Smiling
No, you shouldn't put copper of any sort in a fish pond. Copper is safe for drinking (birds, pets, humans), but is not safe for fish.

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Avatar for seahawkbr
May 29, 2014 12:54 PM CST

So if you put this in the dog swimming pool or in their drinking water jug it wouldn't hurt the dogs?
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