USING BARLEY STRAW:
How does it work?
Barley straw works by fostering large cultures of colorless, odorless, harmless, bacteria that help
keep your pond clean and clear. No toxins here. Barley straw is safe for fish, plants, snails, frogs,
kids, dogs, livestock, songbirds, pesky herons, etc. Barley straw also boosts overall biofilter capacity
by increasing surface areas for native beneficial bacteria. The bacterial growth on the barley straw naturally retards the growth of many green algae including string algae (hair
algae), also called pond moss, and when floating on the surface, pond scum.
Instructions for Use
•Calculate approximate water content of pond.
•Formula: Length x width x Depth (in feet), multiply total by 7.48 to give volume in gallons
•Determine the number of bales required to treat pond
•Place bales on the surface of the pond, preferable near waterfall or filter outlet. Each bale package
has a cork float included. Do not allow bales to sink to bottom of pond.
•Allow one month for the bales to become effective
•After five months, place new bale next to the old one and then remove the oldest one at six months.
When is the best time to put barley straw in my pond?
Barley straw may be placed in the pond at any time during the year. Once applied, barley straw should be maintained in the pond throughout the entire year. Maintaining straw in the
pond through the winter months will minimize the perennial early spring algae bloom.
How do I know when to replace my barley straw?
Your straw should be replaced after every 6 warm months, or when the volume of straw has decreased by 75%.