Re: [Blackbelly] Algae bloom in ponds
Rick, I read in one of our Ilinois Ag extension reports that it is safe to add 3 - 4 oz. regular bleach to a 50-gallon water tank. I've been doing that at my farm for several years, and it keeps the algae down during the hot weather. I have sheep, ducks, chickens and geese who all drink from these water tanks safely. The important safety issue is simply to not use too much bleach per gallon water. Sorry, I would not know how to estimate the amount needed for your pond. Another idea for your pond: Have you thought of using Aquashade? It is available in farm stores, and I think it keeps the algae bloom down by coloring the water so that sunlight cannot penetrate, therefore algae cannot grow. I have never used this product but I have heard it is safe for livestock. Maybe one of our other readers knows something about Aquashade. Mary Swindell At 05:01 PM 7/27/2011, you wrote: Message: 1 Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:57:05 -0700 From: Rick Krach To: blackbelly Blackbelly List Subject: [Blackbelly] FW: Blackbelly Digest, Vol 7, Issue 57 Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" I have a heat related question: since algae grows like crazy in some of my small ponds, would plain old bleach kill it to some effect or would it be detrimental to the sheep, chickens, or pigs that "can" drink it? ?They have other water and could drink the water going into this pond. If I blocked the outlet for a few hours and added a gallon of bleach, could any harm be done? ?The pond is about 150 sq feet. Rick Krach Auburn, CA 95602 ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Algae bloom in ponds
The products that that are made to reduce light levels in ponds are not safe for people-- why would you want to have your animals drink it? Barley straw 'floats' reduce algal blooms in waterways, without introducing chemicals that may potentially harm the environment or the health of people or animals that enjoy the water. When I did my internship at an arboretum, It was made known to all employees and volunteers-- to NOT 'shaded' water from the lily pond in our eyes or accidently swallow any. I have noticed in several locations-- Good aeration helps reduce algae, as does a cover of duckweed! Terry W Ne Ohio --- On Wed, 7/27/11, Mary Swindell wrote: > Another idea for your pond: Have you thought of using > Aquashade? It is available in farm stores, and I think > it keeps the algae bloom down by coloring the water so that > sunlight cannot penetrate, therefore algae cannot > grow. I have never used this product but I have heard > it is safe for livestock. Maybe one of our other > readers knows something about Aquashade. > > Mary Swindell > ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Algae bloom in ponds
Terry, I am glad to hear information about the Aquashade -- I did not know much about it and have never used it. Personally, I do not like the idea of coloring the water anyway, as it looks fake and the possible toxicity is always a worry. So that pretty much settles it for me: I would not consider this as a solution to keeping algae off livestock ponds. However, another solution which you touched upon is an aerating fountain. That involves some up-front cost, but might be the most natural, non-invasive solution of all. I know someone who has a floating aerating fountain connected to a dedicated windmill. The windmill drives the fountain pump so that no other power source is needed. This might be a good solution. Another approach: I have added several geese to my farm over the past 2 years, and I have no algae nor pond weed anymore. I wasn't sure if the waterfowl addition would be good or bad for the pond, but so far it seems to have a fairly benevolent effect. Of course, you have to put up with a little honking and squabbling of the birds from time to time, ha ha! Mary Swindell At 05:01 PM 7/28/2011, you wrote: Message: 3 Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:59:40 -0700 (PDT) From: Terry To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Algae bloom in ponds Message-ID: <1311814780.78004.yahoomailclas...@web81703.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 The products that that are made to reduce light levels in ponds are not safe for people-- why would you want to have your animals drink it? Barley straw 'floats' reduce algal blooms in waterways, without introducing chemicals that may potentially harm the environment or the health of people or animals that enjoy the water. When I did my internship at an arboretum, It was made known to all employees and volunteers-- to NOT 'shaded' water from the lily pond in our eyes or accidently swallow any. I have noticed in several locations-- Good aeration helps reduce algae, as does a cover of duckweed! Terry W Ne Ohio ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Algae bloom in ponds
In addition to being a wormer, Basic H prevents algae from growing in your tanks. If you don't have fish, you could try Basic H to keep the algae in check. Julian On 7/28/2011 3:56 PM, Mary Swindell wrote: > Terry, > > I am glad to hear information about the Aquashade -- I did not know > much about it and have never used it. Personally, I do not like the > idea of coloring the water anyway, as it looks fake and the possible > toxicity is always a worry. So that pretty much settles it for me: I > would not consider this as a solution to keeping algae off livestock > ponds. > > However, another solution which you touched upon is an aerating > fountain. That involves some up-front cost, but might be the most > natural, non-invasive solution of all. I know someone who has a > floating aerating fountain connected to a dedicated windmill. The > windmill drives the fountain pump so that no other power source is > needed. This might be a good solution. > > Another approach: I have added several geese to my farm over the past > 2 years, and I have no algae nor pond weed anymore. I wasn't sure if > the waterfowl addition would be good or bad for the pond, but so far > it seems to have a fairly benevolent effect. Of course, you have to > put up with a little honking and squabbling of the birds from time to > time, ha ha! > > Mary Swindell ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Algae bloom in ponds
Is Basic H2 the same as Basic H? I have been having trouble finding the reg Basic H. Chris - Original Message - From: "Julian Hale" To: Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 7:52 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Algae bloom in ponds In addition to being a wormer, Basic H prevents algae from growing in your tanks. If you don't have fish, you could try Basic H to keep the algae in check. Julian On 7/28/2011 3:56 PM, Mary Swindell wrote: Terry, I am glad to hear information about the Aquashade -- I did not know much about it and have never used it. Personally, I do not like the idea of coloring the water anyway, as it looks fake and the possible toxicity is always a worry. So that pretty much settles it for me: I would not consider this as a solution to keeping algae off livestock ponds. However, another solution which you touched upon is an aerating fountain. That involves some up-front cost, but might be the most natural, non-invasive solution of all. I know someone who has a floating aerating fountain connected to a dedicated windmill. The windmill drives the fountain pump so that no other power source is needed. This might be a good solution. Another approach: I have added several geese to my farm over the past 2 years, and I have no algae nor pond weed anymore. I wasn't sure if the waterfowl addition would be good or bad for the pond, but so far it seems to have a fairly benevolent effect. Of course, you have to put up with a little honking and squabbling of the birds from time to time, ha ha! Mary Swindell ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Algae bloom in ponds
On 7/28/2011 6:38 PM, William Buchanan wrote: > Is Basic H2 the same as Basic H? I have been having trouble finding > the reg Basic H. > > Chris Same stuff but double strength, so you use half as much. Probably done to save on shipping costs. Julian ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Algae bloom in ponds
I am interspersing my reply on this one!!! --- On Thu, 7/28/11, Mary Swindell w > However, another solution which you touched upon is an > aerating fountain. That involves some up-front cost, > but might be the most natural, non-invasive solution of > all. I know someone who has a floating aerating > fountain connected to a dedicated windmill. The > windmill drives the fountain pump so that no other power > source is needed. This might be a good solution. > One of the locals here started raising fish. And yes, each pond has a windmill for aeration. Never a sign of algae issues, not even when they drain to harvest the crop. > Another approach: I have added several geese to my > farm over the past 2 years, and I have no algae nor pond > weed anymore. I wasn't sure if the waterfowl addition > would be good or bad for the pond, but so far it seems to > have a fairly benevolent effect. Of course, you have > to put up with a little honking and squabbling of the birds > from time to time, ha ha! Geese and most ducks are great at reducing unwanted growth Ducks are perhaps, a bit messier in some respects, but geese will also 'weed' gardens.If you can get the fowl to lay eggs in one location, you then have a second product to sell-- all the nutrition in those eggs from the water weeds and algae , lower cholesterol than factory farm eggs, etc... And I don't mind the honking--why live in the country if you can't appreciate all the smells and sounds? Terry W Ohio > Mary Swindell >> ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
