There are many types of algae that can be grown for a variety of different purposes. Microalgae and phytoplankton are the types of algae most commonly associated with algae ponds. These are tiny, microscopic plants and organisms that are capable of producing large amounts of oxygen. They keep waterways, both fresh and salt, from accumulating too many nutrients. As such, they’re a good choice for treating nitrogen-rich wastewater. Spirulina is another kind of algae, though “algae” is something of a misnomer because this isn’t a plant, but rather a type of bacteria that uses the same photosynthetic processes plants use. It’s a widely grown aquaculture product because it makes an excellent feed and supplement for animals. Chlorella is a tiny green algae notable for being efficient at producing large amounts of biomass and protein. It’s more efficient at producing big quanities of calories by volume than any land-dwelling plant.
Among larger plants to grow in algae ponds, you’ll have macro algae, seaweeds, and Irish moss. Macroalgae is similar to microalgae, but the algae form long strands of firm plant matter. Seaweeds are popular in Asian and Polynesian cuisines and as sources of medicine, which makes it a popular product to farm. Irish moss—or sea moss—is what manufacturers use to produce carrageenan. Carrageenan is a common food additive that offers natural food stabilization and thickening properties. All of the above mentioned types of algae—both micro and macro—will grow well in algae ponds, though for each type, you’ll likely need differing volumes of water, nutrients, light levels, and so on.
