First a little history of my 25+ year old (4'x 12' deepest depth 16") cement pond: I don't have a filter, pump or aerator for my pond. I had tried those but they required maintenance with cleaning, etc. I am not very good at anything that requires cleaning. :-? The problem with not having a filter/aerator is that I have to watch the fish during the hot stretches of weather so that they don't become stressed. Algea blooms during hot weather would deplete the oxygen in the water. I would have to provide fresh aereated water (i.e. water sprinkler). Last year I was walking through our "best" garden center and noticed barley straw on the shelves. It was advertised as helping with water quality in home ponds. Being natural and not harmful to water inhabitants I figured I would give it a try. I started using the barley straw in my big fish pond. The initial results were good.:sete_082: Since the barley straw worked well last year I decided to get some new straw for this summer. This year when I went to buy some new straw I noticed they had a pond enzyme made with barley straw. The container said that it eliminates the organic sludge that forms naturally at the bottom of the pond. What the heck, even though it was a bit pricey I decided to give it a try. You see I was at the 3 year part of the pond cycle where I needed to clean the pond. It is heavy, wet, dirty and slippery work that stresses me and the fish. The BEST NEWS! I haven't had to clean the pond this year! The enzyme really works! Since the enzymes eat the sludge my water lilies did have their roots start to float. This worked out well since I needed to divide them at this 3rd year cycle. Division was as simple as snapping off a section since they floated free from the dirt. I was able to give away 4 really nice plants with flowers and blooms. Usually they get a bit broken as I try to divide and untangle the muddy root ball. Not this year! They were beautiful plants. I had to place a large paver over the roots (not tuber) of the lily to anchor them. The manufacturer seems to recommend using more than is really necessary for the more natural environment that I like for my pond and the plants in it. If you have a pond and don't want to bother with all the "electrical stuff" like pumps and filters, I would highly recommend trying one of the enzyme products made with barley. I am sure there are probably several manufacturers, but I used Pond-zyme with Barley. Oh yeh, that expensive container is still 4/5ths full. typical water clarity, fish coming to beg for food ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )
I've used barley straw with natural enzymes and it really does work a treat. It certainly saves time and energy having it in your garden pond and it isn't harmful to wildlife either. :-D
Eileen, I'm glad that it has worked well for you too. After posting this I wondered if I shouldn't have checked on how others have fared with using the barlely straw/emzymes. Since this is only my 2nd year with the straw and first year for the enzymes I am encouraged to hear it working for you. My fish are certainly doing well and growing big :-D
Thanks for the great info Jewell and I will going to look for Barley Straw Enzymes. My pond is into the third year this year and I have not clean it all and I don't think I'll ever do it. The water is filtered by means of a scrubbies bio-filter which I made following instructions from the internet. You can see my fountain/pond here http://kk-lifenmemories.blogspot.com/2008/07/its-done.html The big pot on the left is the bio-filter. Now it had aged but the water remains crystal clear. I hope I can get the Barley Straw Enzymes here.
KKNG What a wonderful fountain. The sound of the water running is so soothing. I will have to look into the the scrubbies bio filter. It seems to have done a great job for you.
Thanks Jewell, haven't found the enzymes yet, still keeping my fingers crossed that it is available here.
Jewell... that's great info to have... and I'm so glad it worked so well for you. KK... beautiful fountain!! Did you ever add some plants or fish to it?
thanks jewell, that is great info. we have string or hair algae in this part of hte world, it is air borne so impossible to totally get rid of. Well, there are a few methods but I am working on a wholistic, integrated approach and I've heard of barley straw before so your encouraging words have pursuaded me to give it a go! Your pond looks beautiful and crystal clear!
So far all the shops thet deal in ponds have no idea what Barley Straw Enzymes are, there is only one more shop that I have not check yet. This is shop deals in koi fish and a specialist in pond maintenance. Hope they have it. Thanks Cherylad, yes I did and lots of hair algae too. You can see the green and fish on this link http://kk-lifenmemories.blogspot.com/2008/10/fountain.html Brombear, we too get a lot of hair algae here and I am also trying barley straw enzymes if I can get it here. They are such a nuisance.
KK, just wondering if you ever found the straw. you know it is easy to grow your own. you should easily be able to find raw barely seed in that part of the world. Just place it in a large, deep container, water regularly and let it grow. (Of course w/soil added.lol) Thanks for posting this Jewell, I know a lot about filteration systems, but never knew about the barley straw. AND I just cleaned my small pond out last week! Grrr, it took me all of the day and help from husband. I gave the fish to a friend, because they eat my tadpoles. next year I'll only use guppies. Mouths too small too bother the frog and toad eggs. But barley straw is on my list. I have a bottle of raw barely seed on my refrigerator. Think I'll plant some up this very afternoon. I must say though, the sludge that comes up is really excellent on my brug's feet. They love it, and begin setting buds within days of me spreading it out.
