I have been brewing my own microbes for the past 2 years, and I have to say it works. At least in my small pond I have seen great improvment. I think I have my watermeal problem under control, not eradicated but alot better than in past years. The fil algae is also under control. Check out my post in July 03 under the topic microbes to get an idea of what I have been trying.
Last year and this I have been using cheap store bought Koi pond microbes (one small container) and brewing them up in a 20 gallon can to add to the pond(3 times a year). . I dont think they work any better than the rid-x or the homemade tea, but I feel safer using the specific pond products. Even tho the septic microbes are probably the same strain and come from the same lab factory just in a diffrent package and price tag. IMHO Kevin
http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=000455
