As ponds age, nutrients enter the water through many different forms: fish waste, run off of fertilizers, decaying leaves and other organic matter such as algae and aquatic plants. After a few years, unless there is a good balance of bacteria to consume or use up many of these nutrients, with good oxygen levels and water movement, a layer of muck or sludge begins to form in the bottom of the pond.
All ponds contain beneficial bacteria that consume organic debris, but some ponds have such an overload of nutrients that the natural bacteria can’t keep up with the debris load. The debris load is usually referred to as a muck or sludge layer. Introduction of additional cold and warm water bacteria into the pond will enhance the natural bacteria and provide a reduction of this muck layer.
These are all good bacteria that do not require any water restrictions – they will enhance the water used for irrigation of turf and ornamental plantings. Pond2O Bio products contain cold and warm water strains of bacteria along with a 1st generation food source to “jump start” the bacteria as soon as it is introduced into the water column. This product can be added to ponds all year round. The most optimum time for the bacteria to flourish and work on the existing sludge layer is when water temperatures are between 48 and 95 degrees. Initial applications of this type of product would be every 30 days – after the layer has been reduced applications should be approximately every 60 – 90 days. Water columns will begin to clear up and algae blooms should decrease as the food source or muck layer is reduced. Aeration with underwater bubblers or fountains will greatly enhance the bacteria activity by adding additional oxygen to the water column preventing stratification and stagnation of the pond water.
It should be noted that the bacteria will consume many herbicides also. Therefore, other than the algae treatment, bacteria treatment should be suspended for 30 days after herbicide application to allow the herbicide to fully perform.
