I am starting a DIY pond filter and I just purchased barley pellets to either put in the filter or in the pond in a media bag. I have heard of its use but does anyone have information of its success in keeping algae out of a pond?
Barley Pellets to help control algae?
- Thread starter Malawidolphin
- Start date
I use it every year and it is "great success".
The liquid form works instantly, but the bales or pellets are the same.
Use it where the water flow passes through it. a few tips...
-pH of 6.5 - 9.0
-Water temps. above 60 degress.
-Increrase areation (large air stones at bottom of pond) if the falls do not create enough. The dissolved oxygen levels should be above 3 ppm (3mg/l).
If your are just starting the pond, make sure your filter has had plenty of time to season. As the barley breaks down the algae, it will need to get filtered out, netted out, or have plenty of BB to eat it. I use a product called S.A.B. Extreme which contains activated barley and many different forms of BB and enzymes which help breakdown organic waste. I use it every spring and fall when string algae is at it's worst. I also use it sparingly throughout the season in the summer to maintain BB levels.
The liquid form works instantly, but the bales or pellets are the same.
Use it where the water flow passes through it. a few tips...
-pH of 6.5 - 9.0
-Water temps. above 60 degress.
-Increrase areation (large air stones at bottom of pond) if the falls do not create enough. The dissolved oxygen levels should be above 3 ppm (3mg/l).
If your are just starting the pond, make sure your filter has had plenty of time to season. As the barley breaks down the algae, it will need to get filtered out, netted out, or have plenty of BB to eat it. I use a product called S.A.B. Extreme which contains activated barley and many different forms of BB and enzymes which help breakdown organic waste. I use it every spring and fall when string algae is at it's worst. I also use it sparingly throughout the season in the summer to maintain BB levels.
I use barley straw in the pond outside every year and even though it gets full sun most of the day it always stays algae free (Im sure the UV and plecos dont hurt either)-
on the other hand, Ive tried the pellets in my aquarium sumps and it was more of a mess than the algae ever was- the pumps slowed down, and when they didnt clog up with broken down pellets, the pumps would pump the crap into the tank, and take forever to clean out- I very rarely need to clean my sumps, but I needed to when that junk was in there- even in a bag it breaks down enough to sift through, and get to the pumps- I would only use straw- but not inside again
on the other hand, Ive tried the pellets in my aquarium sumps and it was more of a mess than the algae ever was- the pumps slowed down, and when they didnt clog up with broken down pellets, the pumps would pump the crap into the tank, and take forever to clean out- I very rarely need to clean my sumps, but I needed to when that junk was in there- even in a bag it breaks down enough to sift through, and get to the pumps- I would only use straw- but not inside again
Malawidolphin;3985325; said:
Putting it in the filter will accomplish nothing. It needs sunlight to work:
http://www.fishpondinfo.com/plants/barley.htm
"As barley straw decomposes in water, it releases lignins. These are oxidized to humic acids in the presence of oxygen. If sunlight then shines on the humic substances, hydrogen peroxide is formed. The peroxides in turn inhibit the growth of algae. They have no effect on existing algae."