Barley balls....

Gareee wrote Would regular straw work?

I don't think so. The whole barley business was discovered when farmers in
Europe noticed that run off thru fields of left over barley straw ran clear
when straw from other grain crops went had algae messes in their run off.

Aquatic Ecosystems has this to say -
Research through "Aquatic Weeds Research Unit U.K." indicates that barley
straw is highly effective in the control of algae. How about that, an organic
approach to algae control! It takes six to eight weeks for barley straw to
become active after it is placed in moving water. After that, barley straw will
remain an active algaecide for approximately six months. Microbial growth,
oxygen and warm water temperatures activate the decomposition of the straw.
With sufficient water flow through the straw, lignins oxidize into homic acids
and, with sunlight and oxygen, destroy algae, with no effect on higher plant
and aquatic life.
Barley straw decomposes slowly, so its oxygen demand does not cause problems
unless an excessive amount of straw is used. Stagnant water will go anaerobic
inside the straw bundle, killing the microbes, so be sure to keep the water
moving.

Now in six to eight weeks just about anything will clear a pond, water
hyacinths, anacharis, uv, veggie filter, time and patience ;-)


kathy :-)
A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/"Once upon a pond/A

"Ka30P" wrote in message
...

Now in six to eight weeks just about anything will clear a pond, water
hyacinths, anacharis, uv, veggie filter, time and patience ;-)

We have 3 peace lilies, and just got some water lilies, but they won't be
blooming for a month or two.

The green doesn't bother us that much.. we're just happy to have a pond
again!

I'll have to check the local feed store, and see if they have barley bails.
Not sure if I can locate it here in the boondocks...

Thank god for Internet online ordering

--
Gareee©
Homepage:
http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine.../mainframe.htm
Custom Figures, Wallpapers and more!

Gareee© wrote:
Ok, these clear up ponds.. has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store? Maybe in a punctured tupperware container or such?

Since our pond here's turning green, I'm starting to look for
solutions. Locally, when I mention barley balls and such, the people
in the stores look at me like I have 2 heads...

As both a pond enthusiast and homebrewer, and having a ready supply of
barley and malt on hand, I thought I might combine my two loves. After
checking out the ridiculous prices that pond stores want for barley
straw, I tried various experiments with what I have on hand.

One thing I tried was using spent malt, well rinsed, in a stocking
between the filter pads of my biofalls. (Heck, it's just waste matter
that usually goes into my compost bin anyway). Doesn't work! Lots of
string algae.

Then, I tried plain (unbrewed) flaked barley in the same fashion. No go.

I have yet to try the barley straw, but other posters in this group seem
to find that it works. I think I may just bite the bullet, save my
barley for beer, and get the straw!

--
Bill

"Wise fool"
Gandalf, THE TWO TOWERS
-- The Wise will remove 'se' to reply; the Foolish will not--

"Bill O'Meally" wrote in message
...
Gareee© wrote:
Ok, these clear up ponds.. has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store? Maybe in a punctured tupperware container or such?

Since our pond here's turning green, I'm starting to look for
solutions. Locally, when I mention barley balls and such, the people
in the stores look at me like I have 2 heads...

As both a pond enthusiast and homebrewer, and having a ready supply of
barley and malt on hand, I thought I might combine my two loves. After
checking out the ridiculous prices that pond stores want for barley
straw, I tried various experiments with what I have on hand.

Have you tried the Irish moss yet?

BV.

how do you use irish moss?
the stuff I have is a plant,,, in dirt , with roots.


"Benign Vanilla" wrote in message
...

"Bill O'Meally" wrote in message
...
Gareee© wrote:
Ok, these clear up ponds.. has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store? Maybe in a punctured tupperware container or such?

Since our pond here's turning green, I'm starting to look for
solutions. Locally, when I mention barley balls and such, the people
in the stores look at me like I have 2 heads...

As both a pond enthusiast and homebrewer, and having a ready supply of
barley and malt on hand, I thought I might combine my two loves. After
checking out the ridiculous prices that pond stores want for barley
straw, I tried various experiments with what I have on hand.

Have you tried the Irish moss yet?

BV.

"*muffin*" wrote in message
...
how do you use irish moss?
the stuff I have is a plant,,, in dirt , with roots.
snip

Sorry muff...I was continuing the thread on beer ingrediants. Irish moss is
used in dry form as a clarifying agent when brewing beer.

BV.

Benign Vanilla wrote:

Have you tried the Irish moss yet?

I used it once. The beer didn't turn out too good, so I never used it
again. I don't know if it was the moss, or if it was just an innocent
bystander. The beer's been just fine without it.

Hmmm, I wonder if it clarifies pond water? :-)

Seriously, though, I've used my bentonite that I use to clarify wine in
my pond. It's the same thing as koi clay, if I'm not mistaken. I still
have string algae though.
:-(

--
Bill

"Wise fool"
Gandalf, THE TWO TOWERS
-- The Wise will remove 'se' to reply; the Foolish will not--

"Bill O'Meally" wrote in message
...
Benign Vanilla wrote:

Have you tried the Irish moss yet?

I used it once. The beer didn't turn out too good, so I never used it
again. I don't know if it was the moss, or if it was just an innocent
bystander. The beer's been just fine without it.

Hmmm, I wonder if it clarifies pond water? :-)

Seriously, though, I've used my bentonite that I use to clarify wine in
my pond. It's the same thing as koi clay, if I'm not mistaken. I still
have string algae though.

Hmm...that's interesting. I have always used it for every batch. Not sure I
believe it works though.

On topic...I get some string algae, but it doesn't bother me. I just pull
some out from time to time. Besides SA is great for catching pine needles
and other debris.

BV.

Benign Vanilla wrote:


On topic...I get some string algae, but it doesn't bother me. I just
pull some out from time to time. Besides SA is great for catching
pine needles and other debris.

I pull it out *every day*. It seems to grow a foot overnight. Also, I
have mosquitos for the first time. I wonder if the SA is harboring the
eggs/larvae so that the fish can't get to them. Could also just be the
exceptional amount of rain we've had in the midwest this spring.

Oh well, I guess I should just "Don't worry. Relax. Have a homebrew".
g

--
Bill

"Wise fool"
Gandalf, THE TWO TOWERS
-- The Wise will remove 'se' to reply; the Foolish will not--

On Sun, 6 Jun 2004 15:52:41 -0400, "Gareee©"
wrote:

Ok, these clear up ponds.. has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store? Maybe in a punctured tupperware container or such?

Since our pond here's turning green, I'm starting to look for solutions.
Locally, when I mention barley balls and such, the people in the stores look
at me like I have 2 heads...


Don't waste your time, money, etc. on barley. Invest in a good UV
light and your green water will be gone.