When my husband works in the pond cleaning leaves etc. he developes a skin irritation similar in feeling to being exposed to fiberglass insulation for about two to three hours after he gets out. The next day he has little bumps like mosquito bites that turn into what looks almost like poison ivy? The only thing we can think of being the cause is the roots from the water hyacinth and water lettuce or possibly something in the water itself?Any ideas? Also, our pond set up is a 3200 gallon pond with pump and rock mounds with cascading water. No filter. It's been up and running for about 3 months now. The water is very clear but we are now developing the dreaded string algae. We are in Ohio zone 5. Is it too late to add several new submerged plants to help combate the string algae? Should we at this point just wait until spring? Last question....our pond at the deepest point is about 21-22" do you think this will be deep enough with a de-icer to overwinter fish?

Thanks

There are so many things in pond water that I'm sure some people are allergic or affected to some of those components. I've gotten skin problems from a number of things including scratching plants (rice cut grass especially slices me up if I touch it), aphids biting me, and terrestrial caterpillars that have long fuzzy hairs that inject you with venom.

You can certainly still add submerged plants but the algae will probably not be effected too much this late in the year.

Your pond depth should be ok if the pond had the de-icer but I'm only guessing. My pond is a little deeper in Zone 6/7 so it will be tougher for your pond.

My pond algae page - http://www.fishpondinfo.com/algae2.htm
My winterizing page - http://www.fishpondinfo.com/winter.htm

Good luck!