killifan Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 I've heard that having a bundle of hay in an outside pond will keep the water clean. Does anybody know anything about this ? I'm having trouble with my pond going green because over summer it gets more sun than in winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 NOT HAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its barley straw!!! you use ...it works great !!!!!! you can buy it in a bottle and that works great because you dont have a big lot of straw in your tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim Posted December 4, 2004 Report Share Posted December 4, 2004 have you got alot of plants in your pond? the more plants the better!!!!!!! barley straw also kills blanket weed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killifan Posted December 5, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2004 No I don't have ant plants which i know is not good. I started with some ornamental grasses then found their seeds coming up all over the garden and paddocks which wasn't acceptable and then the more surface floating ones became a tangled slimy mess so i disposed of them. Whats the difference between barley straw and hay (apart from the obvious one!) and how do yuou but straw in a bottle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killifan Posted December 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 so do you just put the barley straw anywhere in the pond and how often does it have to be changed? What is the set up like with the stuff you buy in the bottle? I mean does the bottle go in open both ends so the water can flow through or just open one end? And where can you get it from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted December 6, 2004 Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 Barley straw is most effective if added autumn through spring before the algae takes hold. If the water is less than 10C it may take 6 - 8 weeks to start working but in water over 21C it may become efffective in as little as 1 - 2 weeks. It will slowly decompose and remain effective for around 6 months. 2 - 3 bales per surface acre of pond is the recommended amount so, since most ponds are a lot smaller it doesn't take much. A pond 3000 - 4000 litres should only need about 230g of barley straw. Less than 3000 litres use 120g. Put the straw in a mesh bag or old pantyhose to stop it spreading all over the place. Attach a float at one end (it sinks as it decomposes) and put it in the pond with the straw partially out of the water. It needs exposure to water and oxygen. You could also put it at the top of a waterfall unit. In warm temeratures, you can add another 'dose' of straw after 5 months and remove the old one 2 months later so they overlap doses. This ensures a continuous algaecidal effect. If you live in a colder area, put the barley straw in the pond once the temperature is above 10C. Make sure the straw is organic and free of chemicals. Make sure you get barley straw and not hay, wheat, or other straws. Barley straw is the most effective of the lot and hay will actually increase algae growth and deoxygenate the water as it decomposes rapidly. Do you have any farming friends you could ask for some? I would enquire at gardening centres, nurseries, or farming supply stores. Even an organic store may be able to point you in the right direction to their suppliers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killifan Posted December 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2004 thanks for all that help - I was just about to try the hay! Will curb my imoatience and hunt for the barley straw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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