New outdoor pond - liner getting slimy.?

[Donna E]

I put a 50 gallon pond in two weeks ago and it was beautiful. I have some pond lillies, marginal plants, small barley cake and an algae pack in it plus 4 goldfish and a 350 gal/per/hr pump with a pre-filter. About a week ago I noticed the liner getting a little slimy and the water a little greener. I only started feeding the fish a few pieces of pond fish food a few days ago and they eat it right away. If I just reach in and wipe it down, do you think the pump/pre-filter will be able to suction off any/all particles? I've read so many books and gone on the internet but found no answers. Please help

 

[anners]

slimy is normal, slimy is good. the pond is brand-new, it needs to cycle. it's not the food, it's the water trying to get a good chemical balance. it sounds like you're doing everything right, with the barley and the live plants. give it time. but if you're still worried, try something natural, like pond-zyme. it's a "chemical" that you add that is really just a live bacteria culture. also, take a sample of water to the pet store to have it tested. if everything is ok, then don't worry. it'll balance itself out in time.