I was recently reading about using barley to clear algea from ones pond. Anyone else used this and what were the results and how long did it take? We have a pond that is fed by our artesian well. It doesn't really get alot of algea, but there is alot of plant life in it. So much that it has grown up and sticks out of the water in great clumps. I'd really like to use something natural and inexpensive to clear it up----any suggestions?
We have used the barley ball and other related products in our little pond in the front yard and in the large livestock tanks in the barn area. It worked well. If you don't have algae (particularly the yucky hair algae) you probably don't need it. The aquatic life in your pond is probably what is helping to keep the algae in check. If the life in the pond is in balance the water will have a greenish cast but will be clear (mud at the bottom doesn't count). If it looks like pea soup then you have a problem, sounds like yours looks more like a salad LOL. You could probably use a big rake with stiff tines to help you thin out some of the plants but i don't think i would remove all of them. Lucky you to have an artesian well!
From my favorite coffee cup: "A gal's gotta do what a gal's gotta do." Minnie Cody, 1901
It is a little like a salad. But there are great areas with very clear and greenish water. Since it is fed continually from the overflow of the artesian well it stays almost 58 degrees year round. There is also a drain that goes out through the fields and feeds another pond that has a resident beaver in it. We do have the hairy algea so I think I'll give it a try. Either that or we'll get it dredged. I met the family that bought our faarm in 1906. The woman I met is 91, and she grew up here. Her dad and brothers dug the pond in about 1910. It is supposed to be about 18 nfeet in the center. I think it would be great to get down to the bottom (no pun intended) of our pond. artmidwife
pond questions
Posted - Jun 18 2004 : 05:20:04 AM
I was recently reading about using barley to clear algea from ones pond. Anyone else used this and what were the results and how long did it take? We have a pond that is fed by our artesian well. It doesn't really get alot of algea, but there is alot of plant life in it. So much that it has grown up and sticks out of the water in great clumps. I'd really like to use something natural and inexpensive to clear it up----any suggestions?
It is a little like a salad. But there are great areas with very clear and greenish water. Since it is fed continually from the overflow of the artesian well it stays almost 58 degrees year round. There is also a drain that goes out through the fields and feeds another pond that has a resident beaver in it. We do have the hairy algea so I think I'll give it a try. Either that or we'll get it dredged. I met the family that bought our faarm in 1906. The woman I met is 91, and she grew up here. Her dad and brothers dug the pond in about 1910. It is supposed to be about 18 nfeet in the center. I think it would be great to get down to the bottom (no pun intended) of our pond.