Easy way to control pond algae

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In 2001 "Almanac for Farmers & City Folk" there was an article regarding using barley straw to control pond algae. Said the barley straw method doesn't kill higher plants or the existing algae, but it DOES prevent NEW algae groth. Dr. Jonathan Newman, Senior Research Scientist for the Center for Aquatic Plant Management, recommends starting the treatment in autumn, winter, or early spring.

They use barley straw in loosely filled mesh bags or cages and float them on the ponds. As the straw decomposes, it releases compounds which inhibit algae from growing. For small ponds, place the bags near the center of the pond and anchor with bricks, or use pop bottle floats . In cold water, the straw takes 6 to 8 weeks to become active in controlling algae. Replace the straw before it becomes completely rotted.

For clear water with little algae, use .03 oz. of straw per square yard. For muddy water with heavy algae infestation, use 1.7 oz. of straw per sqare yard. For problem algae, first dose is up to 3.5 oz. per square yard.

It also says that wheat straw will work, too, but more must be used, and it must be replaced more frequently. Do NOT use hay, because it FEEDS the algae, and rots more quickly.

The last paragraph says, "The barley straw method may require some trial and error before you get your pond algae under control, but the results are promising - and earth-friendly. Researchers find straw is effective in most, but unfortunately not all, ponds, but considering the benefits, it's worth a try."

-- Bonnie (51940@aeroinc.net), March 26, 2002

Answers

Bonnie, this may work in a pond that has nothing else in it. Don't know. But I can tell you that people are always asking how to keep a pond clear with ducks and/or geese in it, someone invariably brings up the barley straw thing and of course it won't do a thing for a pond with waterfowl added. Don't ask me why people would think that the straw would get rid of all that waterfowl feces, beats me. Anyway, just thought I'd head that one off at the pass! LOL LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), March 26, 2002.

I read somewhere a long time ago that the reason that straw works is that is sucks the nitrogen out of the water and composts. The algae needs nitrogen. Without it, the algae dies.

(Again, just a dim memory, no hard data) Barley straw also exudes some sort of ionized particulate that clay is drawn to. So if your pond is murkey grey, that's clay particulate. When a bunch of clay particles are drawn to the ionized barley particle, it makes a bigger particle that is more likely to sink to the bottom of the pond.

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), March 27, 2002.


Get some ducks, they love algae...Now that Easter is upon us, someone will buy their kids a couple of ducklings and then find out that they actually have to take care of them...look in the local newspaper, in the freebie column in about a month, I'd say...

-- Harmony (harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com), March 27, 2002.

I have been trying to convert my in-ground pool into a fish pond but haven't solved the algae problem and I read about barley straw as well. I am going to try it in my pool. I read that it works because the decomposing straw produces hydrogen peroxide which kills off the algae. If this works I am going to be one happy homesteader. I'll post my results.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), March 27, 2002.

Algae grows because you don't have enough plant life to take up the nutrients and shade the pond. Try planting water lillies or water grasses. My gold fish pond has a little algae every spring because it comes on when the water starts to warm. The plants haven't put out enough leaves to control it at that time. Once the plants get going, the algae disappears.

-- Robin in East Texas (Southpawrobin1@aol.com), March 28, 2002.


Barley straw DOES work extremely well - whether you have ducks or not. It won't harm any wildlife, resident fish, pond plants.

The problem with barley straw is that it is expensive, and most who try it don't use enough the first few times. It's better to use the bales (which are only 8x4x4 - that's inches, folks) than just dropping loose straw into your pond. Nothing I've read about algae has ever mentioned using wheat straw. Seems to me it would just add to the problem of filling your pond with decaying materials...

As for ducks loving algae, did you know it can KILL them???

Normally, ducks won't eat a lot of algae unless they're not getting enough of the right things to eat.

-- V (WraitheLadyA@yahoo.com), April 01, 2002.


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