Barley straw can be an effective and safe way to get rid of algae in your pond. This is because barley straw releases natural chemicals into the water, which inhibit the growth of certain kinds of algae. While this is an excellent preventative measure, it does not get rid of existing algae blooms.
When to use Pond Barley Straw
If you are interested in using barley straw to prevent algae from growing, the best time to do so is during the spring or summer. Adding it during these months is especially helpful since the temperature of the water is typically higher than in the winter. When the water is cold, the barley will not decompose as quickly, meaning it may take longer to see results. However, if you wait until the warmer months, it is possible to see positive effects after a couple of weeks.
How Much To use?
If you are considering using barley straw to keep your pond clean and clear, you might be wondering what the proper amount to use is. First of all, it’s important that you follow the instructions from the manufacturer to keep the filtration system from getting too much or too little of what it needs. You should also avoid saturating the pond with too much barley. If you do overdo it, you might end up causing fish kills.
How to Apply the Straw
There are several ways to apply barley straw to your pond. If you have the space, you can use a small laundry bag or an old pantyhose as a bag. The small bags can be purchased from local pond stores. If you have a larger pond, a larger bale is recommended. An 8-ounce bale is enough to cover 1000 gallons of water. The largest bales are 16 ounces, which is enough for a pond of up to 2000 gallons.
You can also buy pellets that you can throw into the pond. While this method may sound easy, it can create a big mess. It is also slightly more expensive than the physical bale. Depending on the nutrient levels of your pond, you may need to add two or three times the recommended dose. If you live in a warm climate, you can add new bales after 5 months.
Conclusion
Barley straw has been used for hundreds of years to help with pond maintenance. This is because the bales release natural chemicals into the water, which prevents the growth of filamentous and stringy algae. The chemicals are then absorbed by beneficial bacteria, which then break the chemicals down and produce a chemical substance like hydrogen peroxide.
Depending on the kind of algae you are dealing with, you might need to use a few different types of barley to see the best results. The most important thing to remember is that you should only use barley as a preventative measure. If you need to deal with an existing algae bloom, you should consider chemical algae removal.
In addition to the barley, you can also use a UV filter to help kill off the algae. This will prevent it from coming back again. You can also use a contact algaecide to get rid of existing algae blooms.
