Barley straw takes about 3‑8 weeks to become active. To apply, simply tie a string to each bale and attach a rock at the other end and place it in your pond with the bale half way up in the water so it can get good circulation. You can also add it to the top of a water fall or anywhere where there is good water circulation.
How do you use barley straw in a pond?
- The original and best selling barley straw pond treatment from summit
- Keep your pond water clean and clear year-round
- Clear your pond, fountain and fish tank naturally
Are horses allowed barley straw?
Used in combination with a concentrate that provides ample nutrition that includes mineral, vitamins, and proteins, oat straw can give horses something to graze on. Rye straw may carry a fungus that can affect mares in foal. Wheat and barley straw are less appealing to horses.
Where to purchase barley straw?
barley straw hay, rice straw or even oats are very good weaning feed to your rabbits. The rabbits normally feed on the grass leaves so the farmer should ensure they buy the hay from reliable ...
Does barley straw stop algae growth in ponds?
When barley straw begins to decompose, it releases chemicals into the water that stunt the growth of algae, if used correctly. The addition of barley to the pond will cause the decomposition of the straw and when this reaches a certain stage, will begin reducing the algae in your pond.
How long does it take for barley straw to clear a pond?
How long does barley straw take to work in ponds? Depending on the type of barley straw product you're using, the quality of your filtration, and how much aeration you have in place, the full decomposition process usually lasts between 4 to 6 months.
Is barley straw good for your pond?
Using barley straw in ponds is not known to cause harm to people or to any higher plants or animals. However, one reported problem is that by reducing the population of algae, using barley straw may allow for the increase of other pond weeds.
How do I keep my pond water from turning green?
5 Steps to Clear.Add a filter. Your filter system needs to do these things: remove junk from the water and house beneficial bacteria. ... Add rock. ... Aerate your pond. ... Grow the right aquatic plants. ... Supplement your beneficial bacteria.
Does barley clear ponds?
Within 6 weeks, 1/2 pound pond barley straw bale will begin to decay, releasing small but steady quantities of extract and safe oxygenators, clearing ponds up to 3,000 gallons. Barley bales for ponds are most effective in shallow water with sunlight and good circulation. Safe for fish, plants, pets, and pond wildlife.
How Does Barley Extract Work to Kill Algae? (Process Explained)
To discover how barley works as an algae control method, we need to dive into the details and take a look at each step of the decomposition process...
Will Barley Get Rid of My Algae Problem?
The effectiveness of barley straw will depend on the amount of algae you have, the type of algae, and how quickly you want it gone! As with many na...
Are Barley Straw Clarifiers Safe For Fish?
If dosed moderately, and assuming your ponds water quality is good and there are no current algae blooms, barley straw should be perfectly fine for...
Barley Straw vs Barley Extract (Liquid) – Which Is Better?
When looking to purchase barley for ponds, you’ll likely come across two different products – barley straw and barley straw extract. Both of these...
The Science Behind Barley
Barley straw has been widely used for decades to control water quality issues in many bodies of water, including large reservoirs and canals. Researchers have yet to precisely pinpoint how it works, but generally, it's believed that as barley decomposes the by-product released may protect from future issues.
Barley Straw Bales
Typically available loose in a mesh bag, barley straw bales and planters should be placed in the pond early in the season (around March or April, depending on your climate) as the straw must start to decompose before it releases it's beneficial substances.
Barley Pellets
Compressed into a compact form, the barley pellets also contain all the beneficial substances found in barley straw without the unsightly look of bales, pillows or pads. They're designed to break down quickly and produce phosphate-combating humic substances. The pellets may also buffer pH and control alkalinity in your pond.
Barley Extract
Also offering the benefits of barley straw without the mess or unsightly bale floating in your pond, barley extract contains only the beneficial by-product in liquid form. Because you don't have to wait for the barley straw to decompose, it also acts faster than pellets and starts to work on contact.
Where to apply straw to pond?
Apply the straw at several locations around the pond and especially near the water source if a spring or stream feeds the pond. In small garden ponds, small nets or nylon stockings can be used to hold the small amounts of straw needed.
How long does barley straw stay in water?
In any case, barley straw remains effective for approximately six months after application.
What is the problem with algae in ponds in Pennsylvania?
The problem. Excessive algae growth is one of the most common problems occurring in ponds in Pennsylvania. Traditional mechanical and chemical control methods are not always efficient or economical. In recent years, the use of barley straw has become more common as an alternative method for controlling excessive algae growth .
How long does it take for barley straw to work?
When applied to cold water (less than 50°F), it may take six to eight weeks for the straw to begin producing the active chemicals that inhibit algae growth.
Does barley straw affect aquatic plants?
Barley straw does not reduce the growth of other aquatic plants. In fact, in some cases aquatic plant growth has increased after barley straw applications because algae are no longer present to compete with the aquatic plants.
Does barley straw kill algae?
Barley straw does not kill existing algae, but it inhibits the new growth of algae. The exact mechanism is poorly understood, but it seems that barley straw, when exposed to sunlight and in the presence of oxygen, produces a chemical that inhibits algae growth. Barley straw does not reduce the growth of other aquatic plants.
Can barley straw kill fish?
However, overdosing the pond with barley straw may cause fish kills because the straw deoxygenates the water as it decays. This is especially a problem if the pond is overdosed with straw during a prolonged warm spell.
What are You Controlling
The problem is in the floating algae – the blue-green algae that clouds up the pond water. And barley straw does a nice job on this but it doesn’t take care of string algae very well nor the algae on the sides of the pond (you want algae on the side of the pond – it’s a good algae).
How Much Straw Do I Need?
You require 0.8 ounces of barley straw per 10 square feet of surface area of your pond. Given that recommendations vary depending on a range of environmental conditions, you’re safe using 1 ounce of barley straw for every 10 square feet of water surface.
Not Too Much
Do Not Exceed 3.3 ounces per 10 square feet! This excess amount of rotting vegetation takes up oxygen and your fish will start struggling as will the rest of your pond’s ecology. Too much is not a good idea and more isn’t better in this case. How
Bag It!
The straw must be put into the pond so that water can reach every bit of the straw. Full bales must be broken up and bagged into some bag like nylon mesh that holds it into one place. Pond suppliers often ship the straw in net bags and these are acceptable “as is”.
Can I Simply Put It On The Bottom Of The Pond?
Excess sediment on the pond bottom will slow down or stop the barley straw from working so do not allow the barley to sit on the bottom of even shallow ponds.
When to use straw pellets for pond?
If you are going to actually use the straw of barley or Barley Straw Pellets, the best time to treat your pond is in the springtime between March 15th and April 30th and again in the fall between September 15th and October 30th even if your pond looks amazing. Remember the straw will need time to decompose & ferment.
What is barley straw?
Barley straw for ponds is an effective, fish safe and eco-friendly way to promote, maintain crystal clear water and establish pristine conditions in your pond. Here is something to consider regarding the usage of Barley. Actual straw of barley, takes 4-6 weeks to ferment into extract and become effective, so we have developed a concentrated EXTREME Liquid Barley Extract water treatment to help manage pristine pond water conditions. The Pond Digger Brand is PROFESSIONAL STRENGTH and for a fraction of the cost more than competing brands, The Pond Digger Brand Liquid Barley Extract is not diluted and in turn ten times as potent, increasing effectiveness in your pond, while saving you money!
How long does it take for straw to decompose?
Remember the straw will need time to decompose & ferment. Expect four to six weeks before barely becomes effective and a little less time for the barley pellets! The usage of the pellets have been extremely effective for pond owners that have steep slopes around the perimeters of their large ponds.
How long does barley last?
However, you can expect fast acting results when applying a concentrated barley straw extract! When using the straw method, your Barley bales should last about 6 months, but may decline it’s effectiveness after 3 months in hot weather when decomposition is occurring more rapidly.
When to use barley bales in waterscape?
If you are going to use the straw method rather than a concentrated extract in your waterscape, the best thing for you to do is to follow the simple routine of introducing the barley bales in the early spring, halfway through the summer, and again in the fall.
Can barley be used in a pond?
Don’t make your pond chemically dependent. The use of liquid barley has been used for decades in the European marketplace on extremely large lakes and smaller ornamental fish ponds. For many, many years locally here in America the use of barley straw extract has been used on large lakes, waterscapes and fish ponds.
Can you put barley in a pond?
When you put barley or better yet barley straw extract in your pond, as it decomposes the straw actually ferments and produces a natural chemical reaction in your water that has been proven to promote crystal clear water conditions and help balance your pond problems.
