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What is Pond Muck?
Have you ever swum in a pond that smells bad, and when you get out you have black goo on your feet and legs? If your pond does not have aeration, chances are Muck has been accumulating on your pond bed since its inception. But what exactly is Muck? Muck’s physical appearance is often a blackish-brown slimy substance that will often time smell of sulfur or other pungent odors. Organic material of all kinds, such as grass clippings, droppings, dead organisms, and other forms of life will fall to the bottom and begin its transformation into this nasty smelling goo. Due to the anaerobic (no oxygen) nature of unaerated ponds, this organic material will slowly accumulate, all while leaching potent nutrients into the water column; nutrients that allow algae and other nuisance vegetation to thrive. In this way, Muck is a food source to all sorts of unwanted plants. Therefore over the years; ponds will get worse each season in regard to algae and other unwanted vegetation. Muck can also be a breeding ground for leeches, as they love to grow in it. This is just another reason on a long list of reasons to want to get rid of Muck if you have it or avoid getting it if you do not. If there is nothing in place that can negate the large quantities of nutrients that accumulate in the pond, you can be certain it will only get worse with time. And because the pond is anaerobic, the processes that could break down this muck cannot occur, as they are aerobic (require oxygen). Due to the anaerobicity, this oxygen free zone along the bottom of the pond will produce harmful bacteria and hydrogen sulfide. As a result, other living organisms in the pond can be harmed from the production of these byproducts. So, what can you do to proactively assure that you avoid Muck accumulation? Methods to Avoid Muck Accumulation: Bottom Diffused Aeration – With a bottom diffused aeration system, you ensure that your water column is completely destratified. That means that there is little change in temperature and oxygen concentration the deeper you go. This type of system will assure that oxygen is present where the Muck has settled, allowing beneficial aerobic bacteria in the water column to breakdown the Muck, in turn, lowering nutrient concentration in the water. Often, people will start to regain depth in their ponds just from this change, depending on how many years’ worth of Muck a pond has accumulated. Additionally, if you are applying an herbicide or algaecide when needed, you are simply masking the symptoms of an already sick pond, and even making it worse. If the pond does not have aeration, those dead plants and algae will simply sink to the bottom and begin leaching nutrients, repeating the cycle. Beneficial Microbes – The aerobic bacteria that breaks down the Muck can be supplemented in high concentrations to ensure breakdown of matter on the bottom of the pond. With oxygen present, these bacteria will deplete the nutrient load and mitigate the foul odor often produced by stagnant ponds. At Outdoor Water Solutions, we sell a dry proprietary Barley Straw Blend of 5 strains of Microbes specifically designed for ponds and lakes. The bacteria come in water soluble packs that are easy to apply and require no preparation. Due to its dry nature, we can fit 20-50x live bacteria in the package when compared to a liquid product. This high concentration ensures that the bacteria can cultivate and thrive in the water column long enough to do its job. Muck Pellets – Muck Pellets are similar in function to the Beneficial Microbes, but vary in application. These pellets are formulated to sink to the bottom and eat the Muck in a localized area, quickly and effectively, whereas the Beneficial Microbes cultivate in the water column, spanning across the entire pond. The benefit of Muck Pellets is that if there is a Dock, loading zone, swimming area, etc. in a pond that has been overtaken by Muck, Muck Pellets is the product to go with. Due to the trace mineral base and enzymes that are present, the bacteria are catalyzed to degrade Muck and nutrients from their surroundings. The bacteria that are in the pellets are high volume waste consumers, meaning they decompose large quantities of Muck at a fast rate. This one tool can be utilized with other solutions mentioned to give you the best chance to reduce the amount of organic material you have sitting on the bottom of your pond. Outdoor Water Solutions is one of the leading companies in the pond industry and sells a full line of pond microbes including the Lake & Pond Bacteria and the Lake & Pond Muck Pellets. We also have super concentrated blue dye and multiple aeration options including electric, solar and wind powered. Please email or call us at 1-866-471-1614 and we can provide you with a detailed quote.
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What Exactly is Algae?
Algae can be a problem for a lot of pond owners. It can even grow on the bottom in late winter, early spring when you think it should be dormant. It can be controlled with algaecides but the best option is to prevent it with a combination of pond dyes, aeration and supplemental microbes. Types of Algae: Algae often floats on the top of your pond and appears to be in mats. Usually, many forms of algae grow on the bottom then rise to the surface over time. Before you treat it, it’s important to understand the different forms of algae and how they live in your pond’s ecosystem. There are three common types of algae found in North American ponds: Filamentous Algae. Most commonly called pond moss, moss, pond scum or string algae. This algae starts growing on the bottom then floats to the surface where it forms a mat. This can easily cover a large part of your pond and makes it extremely difficult to fish or swim in. Planktonic Algae. These are floating microscopic plants that are usually floating on the surface and can be green, blue-green and or brown in color. Forms of planktonic algae, especially the blue-green kind can be toxic to both people and animals if not controlled. Most planktonic algae is beneficial and are an important part of the aquatic ecosystem. They also produce oxygen and food for the animals that live in your pond. Chara. This form of algae grows on the bottom and looks very similar to a plant called Naiad. It doesn’t have any flowers or true leaves. You can tell it’s chara by its strong musky odor when crushed. Why do you have Algae? Algae is a life form and is very dependent on both sunlight and nutrients to grow. If your pond has runoff coming into it that carries Nitrogen or Phosphorous from farm fields, golf courses, yards and anywhere else that might be carrying fertilizer, then you’re probably going to have algae. It also likes shallow water and abundant sunlight. Older ponds that have black organic matter on the bottom are also prone to algae as that organic matter releases nutrients as it decomposes. How do you Treat Pond Algae? Liquid Algaecides. Floating mats of algae and planktonic algae are usually treated with a liquid product, like Cutrine Plus, which is a liquid copper based product that is sprayed over top of the algae to provide control. Granular Algaecides. Bottom growing algae like some filamentous algae and chara can be tough to control unless you apply a granular product directly to the algae. Cutrine®-Plus granular is a good option for this as the granules will sink and come into contact with the algae on the bottom. Can you be Proactive and Prevent Algae? The answer is yes. The best way to prevent an algae problem or to at least minimize it is to be proactive. By using a combination of pond dye to shade the water, all natural microbes and sub-surface aeration, you can work on the problem vs. just putting a band aid on it. By changing your pond to aerobic vs. anaerobic, you start to break down excess nutrients which feed the algae. Adding microbes and dye further helps the situation. Outdoor Water Solutions is one of the leading companies in the pond industry and sells a full line of pond microbes including the Lake & Pond Bacteria and the Lake & Pond Muck Pellets. We also have super concentrated blue dye and multiple aeration options including electric, solar and wind powered. Please email or call us at 1-866-471-1614 and we can provide you with a detailed quote.
How do you Improve a Pond the Natural Way?
Improving Pond Water Quality the Natural Way Together with a team of seasoned biologists and water quality experts, OWS has created a simple, easy to use Pond Care System. The three products included in the Pond Pack work together to help to prevent problems before they start! Today, many pond owners rely on the use of algaecides and herbicides to keep their pond looking nice. While these products work well, they are primarily curative in nature. That means they fix the problem after it is already a problem – like algae and weeds. They do not fix the underlying issue which is a buildup of nutrients and a lack of aeration and water circulation. These “excess” nutrients and lack of oxygen is really what causes too much algae and too many weeds. Other potential problems with traditional solutions: Pond Turnover – without proper aeration, most ponds will physically turn over once or twice a year. This is due to the water stratifying into different layers with the colder, oxygen depleted water on the bottom. As the seasons change, a pond can invert or turn over, which brings the colder, low oxygen water to the surface where fish will often die due to lack of oxygen. Pond Algae – with a lack of oxygen and a build up of nutrients, pond algae can thrive in a pond. Algaecides are effective in killing the algae that’s there, but do not prevent it from coming back as they do not fix the real problem. Pond Muck – with a lack of oxygen, beneficial bacteria, and enzymes on the bottom of a pond, the decomposition process of leaves, fish waste, grass clippings, etc. cannot occur. The bottom of the pond soon starts to build up with a black layer of muck that cannot decompose and instead continues to accumulate and release excess nutrients into the water further feeding algae and other weed problems. Pond care is really evolving as the industry itself becomes more environmentally conscious and pond owners start to consider alternatives to using potentially harmful chemicals to treat their pond water. Just like any problem that needs to be solved, the best way to approach it is to look at the underlying issues or symptoms of the problem. An excess of nutrients and a lack of aeration and water circulation are usually the underlying problems that cause algae and excess vegetation in a pond. As a more environmentally sound alternative, pond care can be achieved by using a combination of biological products and aeration. The Pond Pack from Outdoor Water Solutions combines three different natural products that work together to help prevent future problems. To further improve your pond environment, aeration provided by an Outdoor Water Solutions solar, wind or electric aerator can make a big difference by adding beneficial oxygen to the water. This begins breaking down excess nutrients, both in the water and on the bottom of the pond. Combining additional oxygen in your pond with a mixture of beneficial bacteria, water clarifiers, and natural pond dye gives your pond the care it needs to stay healthy and clean. Pond Care Packs Provide: An Easy and Safe to Use Pond Cleaning System No FDA or EPA Approval Required No Need to take Courses and go through a Licensing Application All Natural Solution to Help Keep Your Pond Clean and Healthy For Use in Ponds, Lakes, Fisheries and Ornamental Bodies of Water Each Pond Pack contains three different products which work together to help people clean up their ponds and maintain them in good condition 365 days a year. These three natural products are proven and tested to help tie up nutrients in the water body and provide the simplest and most cost effective solution available on the market. Recommended Solution Each Pond Pack box will treat ¼ acre pond with an average depth of 4' - 6 feet. For a ½ acre pond 4-6 ft deep, you would use two boxes for season long performance. Each Pond Pack Box contains three all natural products designed to help keep your pond clean and healthy all season long. Lake & Pond Water Clarifier is a non-toxic granular product commonly used in the water treatment industry to improve water clarity. It also reduces the amount of phosphorous in the water and helps clean up murky pond water. Lake & Pond Bacteria is a non-toxic natural blend of beneficial microbes in a barley straw base. Lake & Pond Bacteria helps break down organic matter, diminishes nutrient overload, helps reduce odor, and creates a clean, clear pond ecosystem. Lake & Pond Dye is a proprietary blend of environmentally friendly, non-toxic, water-soluble dyes formulated to reduce sunlight penetration and impart a natural blue color when applied to ponds, lakes and fountains. For ponds that have a lot of algae present, you may need to treat with a copper based product. For ponds larger than ¼ acre, you may need to purchase multiple Pond Packs to get season long performance. Aeration systems are not required, but extremely helpful in increasing the performance of these products. NOTE: The use of these products can improve water quality in ponds and small lakes, especially when combined with aeration. For the most environmentally sound system, combine these products with an Outdoor Water Solutions aeration system.
3 Ways to get your Pond or Lake Ready For Spring
Check out these 3 Ways to Get Your Pond or Lake Ready for Spring! Is your pond or lake ready for spring? Now that the ice is gone, and spring is working its way across the country, it’s time to think about treating your pond. All ponds age and as they age, they eventually accumulate black muck on the bottom which then leads to excessive plant vegetation and algae issues. Why, because the bottom of most ponds is anaerobic and things do not break down and decompose very easily in an anaerobic environment. As the muck layer grows, it releases phosphorous and other nutrients which then feed green plants and algae or pond “moss”. So how do you prevent these things from happening? Here are 3 ways to get your pond or lake ready for spring. First, consider adding bottom diffused aeration. This turns the bottom aerobic which means much more rapid decomposition due to the more active aerobic bacteria. Why do you think the wastewater treatment plants churn and move their water, to add oxygen and aerobic bacteria, the same way oxygen and aerobic bacteria keep an aquarium clean. Aeration options include wid energy, electricity or solar power. All are effective, and all work. Secondly, add some additional microbes and aerobic bacteria. A concentrated blend of dry bacteria can speed up nutrient and organic matter decomposition. This can be in pellet form to work on the bottom muck extensively or in dry powder form to circulate throughout the water column. Thirdly, use a colorant to help filter the sunlight. We have a wide range of dye’s that are all super concentrates and can help significantly, especially in ponds with shallow edges where algae is prone to grow. Lastly, you can selectively use an algaecide or herbicide to help with problem areas. Outdoor Water Solutions carries a wide range of these products to help control excessive algae and weeds in problem ponds. Follow these 3 tips and your pond or lake will be ready for the warmer weather and looking good!
Summer Pond and Lake Maintenance Ideas
Summer has arrived and the heat is on. This heat allows us to enjoy many outdoor activities, but also can cause many problems in ponds and lakes with algae blooms, stratification, and fish kills. Read our summer pond and lake maintenance ideas. Outdoor Water Solutions has a full line of products to properly maintain all ponds and lakes so they can be enjoyed safely this summer. Bottom diffused aeration brings dissolved oxygen levels up, allows waters to mix by evening out temperature, and also accelerates the decomposition of muck and nutrient build up; all critical components for maintaining a healthy pond or lake especially for the summer months. OWS provides a wide range of aeration systems for small ponds to large lakes. AerMaster electric aerators, available in 110v or 220v, are very efficient and powerful, capable of producing up to 14.4 CFM at 5psi on Pro 11 and 12 models for applications where electricity is close by. These systems can be used in many different environments and work excellent with OWS self-weighted diffuser plates available with single, dual, and quad 9” rubber membrane diffusers. AerMaster DD solar aerators are an excellent alternative for projects where electricity is inconvenient or too costly. These systems produce 2.8 CFM on a single compressor system and 5.6 CFM on a dual compressor system. Installation is very simple and quick, coming with everything to install, all at a highly competitive price point. Wind is also an effective and efficient energy source for aeration through an OWS windmill. OWS leads the industry by producing 4.5 CFM with a 5 year compressor warranty. Deluxe models are available which include all accessories to properly aerate two air stations. Fountains are a great aesthetic for any water feature while producing some surface aeration and circulation. OWS fountains are new for 2018 and have all stainless-steel chassis, pump, motor, and intake screens. These fountains are very versatile, available in both solar (3/4hp, 1 ½hp, 3hp) and electric (3/4hp, 1 ½ hp, 3hp, 5hp), and have interchangeable nozzles. 36-Watt LED’s can be added to the electric models for an even more dramatic display. Outdoor Water Solutions can provide detailed quotes and maps for all of these systems. Projects can be sent to National Sales Manager, Joe Forman who can be reached at joe@outdoorwatersolutions.com and 479-756-1614. We look forward to providing our systems and customer service for your projects this summer.
Winterizing Your Pond or Lake
Well, it’s that time of year when fall is soon upon us, then the short cold days of winter. If you own or manage a pond or lake, then you’re probably not thinking too much about “winterizing” it. Nature will take just take its course until spring arrives. However there are a few things that you can do proactively if you want to get a head start on next year. 1. Keep aeration in place thru the winter months. Bottom diffused pond aeration helps to keep the water circulating eliminating fall turnover and fish kills. It can also help to prevent fish from dying under the ice if you live in areas where you have complete freeze over. Lastly aeration will give you a head start on algae control next spring by circulating oxygen rich water thru the whole pond which will increase the amount of beneficial aerobic bacteria present.If you don’t already have aeration in place, now would be a great time to install it, before the ground freezes up. There’s still ample time to build a windmill for energy efficient wind aeration or to set up an electric aerator with bottom diffused aeration. If you don’t already have aeration in place, now would be a great time to install it, before the ground freezes up. There’s still ample time to build a windmill for energy efficient wind aeration or to set up an electric aerator with bottom diffused aeration. 2. Use a pond dye or colorant – even over the winter months. Pond with Colorant and Aeration Most algae can grow on the bottom of a pond year around. Come February or March, it can really take off. Using a pond dye adds a nice color but also filters the sunlight, keeping it off of the bottom where most algae live and grow. Aquashade is a good choice as well as any of the other pond dye’s we carry. 3. Continue using beneficial aerobic bacteria until the water temperature drops to 50 degrees. In some parts of the country, you might use supplemental bacteria year around. In the Northern climates, it might be from April through November. The biggest benefit of adding supplemental bacteria is in breaking down the organic matter on the bottom and in reducing the amount of nutrients available to feed bacteria and aquatic vegetation. They are much more effective than anaerobic bacteria and really go to work if you have supplemental aeration. Pond with Aeration Keeping the Ice Open 4. Fall is the best time of the year to kill aquatic weeds like cattails. Why? Because they are actively taking sugars to the roots to store up energy for the winter. When you treat them in the fall, they take the herbicide directly to the roots giving you better control. Treating after a frost is fine as long as you have > 50% of the leaf surface that is still green. Shoreklear Plus is the product to use as it has an aquatic registration, so is safe to use around fish and ponds. SaveSave SaveSave
Windmill Compressors
Hello my name is John Red and I'm with Outdoor Water Solutions. Today I'd like about our windmill variation systems or some people would call them windmill aerators. There are several manufacturers out there and several of them import the product in the United States whereas ours are made in the United States and have it made in the United States designation. Most important part of a wind-driven aeration system is the compressor. Several of manufacturers out there can make towers can make windmill head and blades that attach to the tower but when you start to see major differences between the manufactures on compressor design. There are a couple of things that make the Outdoor Water Solutions compressors better than many competitors. The first thing the diaphragms. We use a larger substantially larger diaphragm which allows us to produce quite a bit more air than our competitors. We also have larger check valves you can see the check valve on the bottom which is ours versus some of our competitors and again less restriction which means we produce two or three times more air. We also have a stainless steel crankshaft and cam on the inside which prevent rust. Quarter inch top steel plate and in grade 8 bolts on top. We use what we call our bow cam 2 technology which is basically where we're taking a piston and centering on the crankshaft between two pillow block bearing. What that does is that spreads the workload across the compressor and it gives us a longer lifespan with less maintenance. So all this basically means is that we're comfortable offering a five year warranty and our compressors versus many of our competitors that offer 18 months to 3 years.
Summer Algae Control
Filamentous algae Pond algae is a common problem in a majority of ponds, especially if they are more than 3 to 4 years old. Algae can come in many different shapes and sizes, but the most common is filamentous algae that looks like clumps and float in the water. All ponds have some algae. They are essential to a healthy pond. However, excessive growth of algae and discoloration of the water may mean that the water quality in the pond is in trouble. Too much algae can also interfere with boating, fishing and even swimming and can cause fish kills if it were to die suddenly. So how can you prevent having too much algae in your pond and how do you treat algae once it has become a problem? Algae Prevention An algae “bloom” is when there is an accelerated growth of algae in your pond. This is when the problem will be most easily noticed. By the time you identify that there is a problem, it is usually too late to do anything preventative. There are some short term solutions that we’ll discuss shortly, but the best strategy for pond owners is to keep excessive algae from growing in the first place. The most common reason why ponds have excessive algae growth is that they have too many nutrients in the water supply. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the two nutrients that cause the most trouble. In a pond, these nutrients are invisible and almost impossible to detect without testing. When these nutrients are combined with sunlight and warm temperatures, algae can easily grow out of control. Preventing nutrient runoff is one of the first steps to preventing over-fertilization of a pond. Common sources of nutrients are septic tanks, farm fertilizer runoff, livestock and excessive plant or grass clippings. Providing a 10 to 20-foot buffer around the pond with taller vegetation can help filter some of the excess nutrients before they enter the pond. If possible, you should also restrict the amount of fertilizer in areas that run into the pond and keep septic fields away from ponds or below the pond dam where the nutrients can’t leach into your water supply. Trying to restrict nutrients from entering your pond is important, but it is not always enough. A second source of excess nutrients is a build-up of excess “muck” and organic matter on the bottom of the pond. Many ponds have from 3 inches to as much as 24 inches of black organic matter sitting on the bottom. Unfortunately, this organic matter releases excess nutrients as it decomposes, especially if the pond has a shortage of oxygen in the deeper parts. Breaking down some of that excess organic matter is critical to preventing pond algae long term. So how do you do this? Options include: Adding aeration. Pond aeration through a bottom diffuser is the most important thing you can do to help prevent algae long term. Aeration increases the level of DO, or dissolved oxygen, in the bottom part of the pond which increases the number of aerobic bacteria. These bacteria, in turn, begin to feed on the excess organic matter and reduce the amount of nutrients released. More and more people are using aeration as a solution and turning to companies like Outdoor Water Solutions (www.OutdoorWaterSolutions.com) to help them find a solution. This company offers both electric aerators and a new, much improved version of windmill aerators that are extremely cost effective to both purchase and operate. Adding beneficial bacteria. Beneficial bacteria work at decomposing excess organic matter, sticks, leaves, decayed fish and excess nutrients. They don’t have to be combined with aeration, but adding oxygen will significantly increase both their numbers and their level of activity at the bottom of your pond where you need them most. Another option is to use a combination of beneficial bacteria, a clarifier that helps tie up excess nutrients and possibly a pond dye to help filter sunlight. A more radical solution to removing the excessive organic matter is dredging or even draining the pond, cleaning out the bottom and starting over. This can definitely work, but is very expensive. Also, once you clean out the pond, the problems can start all over again unless you take a proactive approach to managing excessive organic matter and nutrients. Pond Algae Control Once you have a problem, there are a couple of options for controlling the situation. The most common is to add a copper based algaecide, either in dry or liquid form, to kill the visible algae. You want to avoid not killing too much algae at one time because it will take most of the available oxygen out of the water and you may end up with a fish kill. Most companies recommend treating one-third of your pond at a time. Algaecides can be effective at controlling what you can see, but this does not address the bigger problem. As a result, the algae problem will come back time and again. Killing the algae can also contribute to more and more excess organic matter as when it dies. It will sink to the bottom, adding yet another layer of rich, black organic matter that feeds more algae. Grass carp sometimes eat algae, but it is not common. They have been seen eating plants coated with algae, but their mouth and gills are not positioned to eat algae effectively. Although grass carp can be used to control some aquatic weeds, they should not be stocked to control algae. In fact, grass carp can add to a nutrient problem and cause algae to multiply if they are no longer eating aquatic weeds efficiently. The existence of algae in your pond may be a fact of life, but it is good to know that there are ways to prevent excessive growth of it and there are ways to control it with some patience and the right tools. Aeration Options: All ponds and lakes will benefit from aeration. Pond aeration is just like adding air to an aquarium. With air, the aquarium stays fairly clean. Shut off the air and it starts to turn green. Adding oxygen to a pond helps aerobic bacteria thrive. They are the lifeblood of a healthy pond as aerobic bacteria are much more effective than anaerobic bacteria at breaking down organic matter and excess nutrients. Bottom diffused aeration brings water from the bottom of the pond to the surface where it comes in contact with sunlight and the wind, which add viable oxygen. This water then goes back down to the bottom where the aerobic bacteria can start to eat the black organic matter and muck on the bottom. There are several options available for aeration. They include surface aerators, fountains, and bottom diffused aeration using wind, solar and electricity. A description of each is as follows: Surface Aerator Surface aerators – effective on ponds with higher fish stocking rates. They can add supplemental oxygen needed to keep fish alive in the warmer summer months. They’re not as effective as bottom diffused aeration in circulating the water from top to bottom and eliminating stratification unless the pond is fairly shallow (< 8 feet). Pond Fountain Fountains – they look great but are not really designed for aeration. They can help, especially in shallow ponds but do not add as much oxygen as a surface aerator or bottom diffused aerator. Windmill Aerator Windmill Aeration Systems – these are great systems for where you do not have electricity or where you don’t want to spend money on electricity. You do need to have access to an area where there’s some wind to turn a windmill. Typically, each windmill will need 3-6 mph of wind to turn. For a windmill to be effective, you would need an average of 6-8 hours of wind each day. On some days, there might not be any wind. On others, you might have 24 hours of constant wind. But, if you can average 6-8 hours a day, you can get enough wind to aerate and circulate your pond. Electric Aerator Electric Aerators - There are many good electric aerator options out there if you have access to electricity. You can then aerate 24 hours a day or put the aerator on a timer and aerate 12-14 hours if you want. Most electric aerators are one of three types – linear diaphragm, rotary vane or rocking piston in design. Solar Pond Aerator Solar aeration has improved a lot over the last 3-5 years due to lower cost solar panels and better DC compressors. Solar is now an affordable option, especially the new style Direct Drive “DD” aerators that operate during the day by producing a lot of air compared to alternative systems. The existence of algae in your pond may be a fact of life, but it is good to know that there are ways to prevent excessive growth of it and there are ways to control it with some patience and the right tools. Outdoor Water Solutions manufactures a wide range of pond and lake products including all of the products mentioned here for algae control. You can learn more at www.Outdoorwatersolutions.com or by calling 1-866-471-1614 for a free catalog.
Featured Product – Outdoor Water Solutions Bacteria Packs
We offer 12lb, 25lb, 100lb and 250lb. quantities of our bacteria blend. Our bacteria helps break down organic matter on the bottom of the pond, diminish nutrient overload and helps reduce odor to create a clean, clear & healthy pond. This is a highly concentrated dry blend which contains cellulose enzymes, hyper cellulose producing bacteria and bacteria designed to work in cold weather to accelerate the breakdown of leaves, sediment and other accumulated dead organic waste packed in a barley straw base. The product is easy to apply Environmentally friendly Safe for fish and plants Breaks down dead algae Reduces most odors Dissolves within 5 minutes of placing in water What makes ours better than other bacteria products on the market? First is concentration. We use 2 Billion CFU’s per gram of bacteria. Most other companies only use a 1B formulation to save money. We also use a 5-way blend of microbes formulated specifically for ponds and lakes. These strains are highly active at breaking down organic matter and are used extensively in the wastewater treatment industry. Lastly, with our dry formulation, we can get 20-50x more active bacteria in the package than you can with a liquid bacteria product. Ask before you purchase someone else’s product what their concentration is and how many strains of microbes they use. Many suppliers don’t know and if they do, they won’t tell you. Product Use Rates: Apply 4 lbs. (8 waters soluble packets) per surface acre every 2 weeks. Double the initial dose and start treating once the water temperature hits 50 degrees F. Note: For ponds that have excessive sediment (black organic matter) on the bottom or are prone to algae, you may want to double the application rate for best results. For more information on our microbes, click here.
Fall Pond Maintenance
Believe it or not, we’re starting to approach fall! Labor Day signals the start of beautiful late summer days and fall weather. If you have a pond or lake, this is an important time of the year. Following are some key tips to keep in mind as we approach the fall season. 1) Continue with your pond dye and microbe treatments. September and October are still warm months where algae and weeds grow so continue treating. Muck pellets, beneficial bacteria packets and dye are all still important for the next 60-90 days. 2) Fall is a great time to add aeration to your pond or lake if you don’t have it. We manufacture wind, solar and electric aerators so can utilize any or all of the three to aerate your pond. Fall and winter are potential times when you can lose fish due to fall pond turnover or winter ice up conditions. Aeration can help prevent that from happening and get a head start on spring algae issues. Check out our selection of electric and solar aerators. 3) The next 60 days are great times to control problem weeds. Cattails and most other perennial weeds are translocating sugars to their roots to store up energy to survive the winter. When you spray a product like ShoreKlear, it is then translocated to the roots and provides optimum control. Treating once nighttime temperatures reach 45-50 degrees is perfect. You can also treat after a frost as long as more than 50% of the leaf area is still green.
Getting Your Pond or Lake Ready for Spring!
Well, now that the ice is gone and spring is working its way here, it’s time to think about treating your pond. All ponds age and as they age, they eventually accumulate black muck on the bottom which then leads to excessive plant vegetation and algae issues. Why, because the bottom of most ponds is anaerobic and things do not break down and decompose very easily in an anaerobic environment. As the muck layer grows, it releases phosphorous and other nutrients which then feed green plants and algae or pond “moss.” So how do you prevent these things from happening? First, consider adding bottom diffused aeration. This turns the bottom aerobic which means much more rapid decomposition due to the more active aerobic bacteria. Why do you think the wastewater treatment plants churn and move their water, to add oxygen and aerobic bacteria, the same way oxygen and aerobic bacteria keep an aquarium clean. Aeration can be done with wind energy, electricity or using solar power. All are effective and all work. Secondly, add some additional microbes and aerobic bacteria. A concentrated blend of dry bacteria can speed up nutrient and organic matter decomposition. This can be in pellet form to work on the bottom muck extensively or in dry powder form to circulate throughout the water column. Thirdly, use a colorant to help filter the sunlight. We have a wide range of dye’s that are all super concentrates and can help significantly, especially in ponds with shallow edges where algae is prone to grow. Lastly, you can selectively use an algaecide or herbicide to help with problem areas. Outdoor Water Solutions carries a wide range of these products to help control excessive algae and weeds in problem ponds.
Fountain or Aerator Operation Costs
Wondering how much a fountain or aerator operation costs will run you? We can help. When planning to use a fountain or an aerator in your pond or lake, calculating the costs is an important part of your plan. Use this formula to figure the costs: AMPS x VOLTS = X Divide X by 1000 Multiply this number by KWH (cost per KWH on your electric bill) This is the cost to operate your fountain or aerator for one hour. Is there an advantage to 230 or 115 volts? The main advantage to 230 volts is that it allows you to use longer power cord lengths with smaller gauge wire. In the case of our Eco 1/2HP Aerator (available in both 115v and 230v) performance and cost to operate are exactly the same for 230v and 115v (AMP x VOLTS= Watts). Outdoor Water Solutions offers fountains, aeration windmills, and solar aerators and solar fountains for your ponds or lakes. We offer solutions for all budget sizes. Check out our new innovative solar fountain product line. These solar fountains work by capturing energy from the sun and channeling it to an inverter, where the energy is converted to electricity to power your floating pond fountain. Our solar fountain line is one of the first high-quality fountains to hit the market and offers an added benefit of a lower electric bill that can typically cost you $300 or more per month.
Elite Dealer Program
Outdoor Water Solutions is excited to announce their new Elite Dealer program. This program is designed specifically for full-service pond and lake professionals providing services to their local clients. Elite Dealers will benefit from added accessories like quick disconnects on fountains and sound kits and equipment pads on aerators. Extended warranties also come standard with the Elite Dealer program leading the industry with 4-year compressor warranty on electric aerators and 5-year pump and motor warranty on solar and electric fountains. For 2018, Outdoor Water Solutions is introducing our new line of Direct Drive™ Solar fountains. Models include three different sizes designed to work in ponds from as small as a ¼ acre up to 5+acres in size. This line of floating pond fountains does not need nor require electricity and instead relies 100% on solar energy to operate. Finding access to electricity to power fountains can be a real challenge in many cases due to distance and location. Golf courses and many private ponds just don’t want the hassle or expense of running power lines down to the edge of a pond. If power has already been run to the site, it may only be 110 volts, which is insufficient to operate larger, more impressive fountain displays, many of which require a minimum of 220 volts power. The other challenge is cost and cost allocation. Many homeowner associations and private entities don’t want to pay a monthly electric bill or don’t want to divide up the cost between multiple parties. The benefit of a solar fountain is that there is no ongoing electric cost and no need to divide that cost up for everyone to share. Sizes include 3/4hp, 1 1/2hp and a 3hp fountain. All of these utilize high-quality pumps and motors carrying a full 5-year warranty, which is the longest warranty in the industry. Other features include cable quick disconnects for ease of maintenance and winterizing, stainless steel frames and intake screens and an industry leading control panel with solar controllers designed for optimal runtime. Each fountain also includes your choice of up to five nozzle patterns. The Elite Dealer program also helps pond and lake professionals save time by providing detailed quotes along with mapping to ensure correct product placement. All Elite Dealers will have access to professional technicians to help with product applications and troubleshooting. Sales manager, Joe Forman looks forward to working closely with Elite Dealers to help their businesses gain a competitive edge with product differentiation and excellent customer service. You can contact Joe at 479-756-1614 or joe@outdoorwatersolutions.com for more information about how to become an Elite dealer and to get pricing information.