Ultrasonic Algae Control

Defend against algae, without chemicals, using ultrasonic technology that is not harmful to the environment and requires no continuous applications.

How it works

The transducer, submerged just beneath the surface of the water, is programmed to generate more than 2,000 ultrasonic waves that inhibit the growth and spread of algae. The Pulsar device emits ultrasonic waves that fan out 360° from the 4 faces of the transducer. The signal is sent in a “line of sight”, sound waves will not go around corners or navigate around weirs or other solids but will bounce off of hard surroundings, such as concrete.

Units provide coverage for up to 120 acres and multiple units are used for complete coverage.

Ultrasound has been proven successful in many wastewater applications including lagoons, secondary clarifiers, EQ basins, effluent tanks and in water plants at reservoirs and basins.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does ultrasound work?

Ultrasound kills and controls algae in two ways:

Blue/green algae: Ultrasound hits the harmonic frequency of the gas vesicles (vacuoles) inside the blue/green algal cell and pops them. This causes the algal cell to sink to the bottom of the body of water. There, out of the direct sunlight, it cannot photosynthesize and it begins to starve and become weak. The bacteria at the bottom of the body of water then consume the blue/green algal cells.
Other algae: Ultrasound hits the harmonic frequencies of the chemical bond that adhere the cytoplasm to the cell walls. When this happens the cytoplasm inside the cell visibly contracts away from the cell walls. In this state the cell can neither consume any food nor get rid of any waste. The cell starves to death over time.

2. Does it have any effect upon fish or other aquatic wildlife?

Ultrasound is safe for use with other aquatic life including fish, frogs, snakes, turtles, and even otters. In fact, ultrasonic devises are being used in installations at fish farms and in koi ponds to save fish from the toxic effects of algae.

3. Will it kill duckweed, water meal, milfoil or cattails?

Ultrasound only kills and controls algae and has no effect on either beneficial or invasive species of aquatic plants.

4. How long does the unit take to work?

Typically, you will start to see a significant change in the pond’s algae color (from green to brown) in 3 to 4 weeks, or less. In a water body with thick algae, and/or very high nutrient levels, a complete kill may take as long as 4 to 5 weeks. During this time, as the algae dies, it will turn brown and may remain floating on the surface or just sink to the bottom depending on the species. We recommend removing any dead brown algae floating on the water.

When the water appears clear after the initial algae kill, you may get a secondary algae bloom. This happens because sunlight can now reach the bottom, residual algae allowing spores to germinate. Do not be concerned. Leave your ultrasonic device in the water and it will kill and control the secondary bloom as well. This kill/bloom sequence may repeat two or three times as the “reservoir” of spores is exhausted. After that, the water should stay clear. Major rain events can sometimes reintroduce spores that will result in an algae bloom. Leave the ultrasonic device in place and it will kill subsequent blooms.

5. How expensive is it to operate?

Ultrasound is very inexpensive to operate because it only uses approximately 10 watts of power. That’s like running a small light bulb in your home.

6. What type of power is needed?

AC 85 to 240 Volts, 50 or 60 Hz compatible. DC 24 Volts. Each power supply can support 2 ultrasonic units. Solar panels are available.

7. How many units do I need?

Each unit has 360 degree coverage. There are 2 different size units.

-Pulsar 3000 green algae coverage 80 meters (262 feet or 10 acres), and blue-green algae coverage of 200 meters (656 feet or 60 acres).

-Pulsar 4000 green algae coverage 150 meters (492 feet or 17 acres), and blue-green algae coverage of 500 meters (1640 feet or 123 acres).