Algae control

While in a local garden centre the other day I spotted containers of barley straw derivative in liquid form for sale as a means of algae control. Has anyone tried out this in their pond, and if so is it any good.

 

I haven't tried the liquid yet but I have been told it does have good results. I have tried barley straw though and that was helpful.I plan to give the liquid a go this year as it would be easier. The barley straw kept getting free from its anchor and popping up.

 

Thanks for that Chrysocolla. Hope some member out there has first hand knowledge of it. that would be a help to both of us. Maybe it is a relatively new product.

 

barley straw "liquid" has been around for a few years.
The odd thing is, no one is 100% sure why it or barley straw works

 

Barley straw works because as it starts to break down in the water it gives off hydrogen peroxide this is highly toxic to algae/blanketweed, what the manufacturers have done is cut out the natural decomposing occurence and replaced it with a chemical solution

 

I had a problem last year with algae in the pond. took your advice Walnut. and hey presto!!!!!!!!!! clear so far.

 

On the basis of all your comments I think I will definately give the liquid a try.
Thanks all.

 

Remove the nutrient source from your pond and the algae problem should cure itself. Reeds and other water plants should take up any nitrate and if you keep vegitation pond coverage to somewhere between 30% - 50% it will out compete the algae for available light. Brown algae clinging to the liner is normally not a problem and is a valuable food source for taddies and fish fry. If you keep fish don't overstock or over feed as this all adds nutrient to your pond.

Chemical treatment should be used as a last resort and then only to get a pond back in balance. If there are fundamental problems such as garden or lawn water run off entering the pond then this has to be corrected or you will never get clear water and chemical treatments can seriously affect bio-filters causing even worse problems.

 

I do not want to cause an argument.

but i am not the only one who does not agree with you

Hydrogen peroxide is also what bottle blondes use

you may also want to see this

and this

although i did find another site that mentions there is a tiny tiny amount of hydrogen peroxide.

so it seems that there is a differance of opinion, but all agree it works.

BUT if it is just hydrogen peroxide as you imply, why not add hydrogen peroxide to your pond. Answer, because its not / just hydrogen peroxide.

As i also said, i dont want to argue over this, but differnt sites give different reasons, you have offered yours, i offer mine.

[ 18. March 2007, 09:41 PM: Message edited by: watergarden ]

 

I go with frogesque about not overstocking with fish, but what do you do when they overstock themselves and you cant even GIVE them away.

 

Watergarden:

That was interesting, thanks.

I did try barley straw in a pond last year but it was a poorly designed pond with koi and had no permanant circulation. The new pond I've made at my friend's house has a lot of circulation including a small waterfall and a separate water feature both with home-made gravel box bio filters. I don't anticipate long term algae problems but if it does start to build up I may try incorporating some barley straw into one of the filter boxes.

I'm still a firm beliver in getting a pond set up right in the first place though and chemicals are best avoided, if only because of the expense.

 

Our local heron sorted that out I'm afraid :(

Thinking of trying some sticklebacks instead of goldfish this time. Losing some to a kingfisher I could live with!
:D

 

watergarden this site is full of peoples ideas, oppinions, experiences nobody is here to prove they are right I am sure most have there own way of sorting out what they want to take on board or not, were not here to argue we are hear to learn I happen also to agree with everything frogesque has said I even agree with what you said about bleach blondes using hydrogen peroxide in their hair and have you ever seen one with algae in her hair must work then :D

 

As a point of interest i have a tiny pond just for frogs, it gets sunlight, has no plants (just rocks and places for frogs to hide) no pump, never had any algae at all, no straw, just water, water is crystal clear and has been for about 4 years until last year when out of no where, ââ?¬Å?Kapowââ?¬Â duckweed arrived.

I guess its just the hand nature deals you.

[ 25. March 2007, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: pete ]

 

Hi Frogesque, what problems does the lawn run off cause, is it algae encouraging, do you know why this is? :confused:
I've just cleared my little pond of alot of algae, and it is surrounded by grass and rocks... haven't got round to looking at barley straw yet!

If the liquid 'straw' is a chemical substitute, how does this affect aquatic wildlife and plants, anyone know?