My Barley straw has been in my pond (one in upper and one in lower) for a month now and it doesn't seem to have done any good..Can I now pour Hydrogen Peroxide in? I have some goldfish and snails and wood frogs and many millions of tadpoles..will it hurt them?
Barley straw
Only add hydrogen peroxide if you're dealing with string algae. For the typical doses most people use there should be no problems for your critters (1-2 pints of 3% per 1000 gallons -- increase the dose and/or frequency if that doesn't help get rid of it). Your tadpoles should munch away on the algae as well!
Thanks...I am thinking now that I don't have string algae yet but just murky water..maybe not enough oxygenators...We turn our pump off at night (my husband says it saves electricity) do you think that may help? I mean to leave it running?
Yes, definately leave it running.
I am the "utility conservationist" at my house too but your pump needs to run 24/7. It helps keep good water quality for your wildlife, creates good bacteria in your biofilter. Even with oxygenators, your plants actually use oxygen at night, if you turn off the pump, you have no water turbulance , you are risking killing your wildlife due to lack of oxygen and it gets worse as the water gets hotter in the summer.
I agree with Charlotteda. I dislike the utility company as much as anyone but do leave your circulating pump on. If you're running any type of biofilter then when you shut the pump off at night the oxygen concentrations in your biofilter will drop to zero within just an hour or two (depending on things such as temperature, amount of 'food' for biological beasties in the filter, etc.). When that happens you'll probably wipe out most of the nitrifiers on the filter. Running it 24/7 should not use up too much electricity if you have a relatively efficient pump. There are pumps out there (mostly for bigger systems) that can be operated at two flowrates so if you have a largish pond you could set one up to have high flow during the day or when you want to enjoy the sounds and scenery and low flow at night - enough to keep everything functioning.
Yes, keep the pump running. The whole pond system will benefit. Mine runs 24/7/365. And I don't have any problems with green water or lack of oxygen. Be patient with the barley, it takes time to build up in the pond, and remember to change it every three months. I put a new bag in about two weeks before I pull out the old one so the new cam get started.
As for the pump running in the winter, I'll admit it sounds strange to walk out of the house in the middle of a snow storm and here the waterfall running, but the pond is open and all is well.
it doesent freeze solid?
Can someone explain the purpose of Barley Straw in a pond. Thanks.
CaCajun:
Barley straw releases an enzyme into the water as it decomposes that inhibits the growth of algea without being harmful to the fish, etc. It will decomose faster when it's warmer, so it may take a while to work if the weather is cool. We have a large pond, and we use the bales instead of the pellets and it has helped quite a bit. We still have to treat with chemicals if it gets out of hand. How much you need depends on the size of the surface area of the water. If you overdose, it might slightly reduce oxygen levels.
chichadee, My waterfall runs all year, so the end of the pond near it stays open all year, that way the gases can get out and the local wildlife can get to the water. Barley is in the pond year round. really helps. the chemical reaction when the barley breaks down is what stops the algae
Well...he has turned it off again! Says it clogs up the filter with leaves if it keeps running....what to do with mdh.
Try putting your filter in a mesh-covered container (assuming it's a submersible pump type filter). It's easier to clean debris from the mesh than it is the filter media.
I wrap my pumps with nylon window screen, giving it room to have plenty of water around it without sucking up the leaves.
Viv
Now THAT is an excellent idea. I'm going to try that!
Thanks...I will pass it along to HIM.
Hi all. I'm new to DG and read your conversation with intrest...
You may want to try a solar pump so hubby doesn't stress on the electric $. They pay for themselves quickly besides the "cool factor" of not using any electrical connections. Depending on the size of your pond, you can get them for $35 - $100. I just got one on ebay after pricing them in the Real Goods cataog. It's still freezing at night here so my lily pond isn't set up, but I did take the pump out to one of the bigger ponds just to try it out. Really great and quiet too. It has a solar collector with a 15' cord so I placed it up high where no big-footed galoots can step on it and then just left it to run. I wish I'd gotten it sooner!
Thanks for the idea..I'll pass this along to him..we do, however, have mostly shade and I am wondering how well a solar pump would work.
I like the idea of a solar pump, but having one that would pump enough gallons per hour would be important. It would be especially handy for a little freestanding water garden in a big pot in the yard...Hmmmmmmm. :D
Yes I have an upper and lower pond that my H said probably would not work with the solar. So back to square one...dirty water all