Enzyme/bacteria usage - 06/09/08 06:04 PM
Hi, I'm new to the forum. I'm hoping this isn't too redundent of other posts.
I have a 1/3 acre pond, roughly 140 by 100 ft, 9 feet deep. the side by our house is shallower. It's heavily wooded on three sides (N, W, S)
No weeds except for duckweed.
Fish--been stocking slowly over time--bass, catfish, bluegill, some perch and lots of minnows; there are lots of frogs, snails, bugs, other fish food--seems full of life although my stocked fish I don't know where they are.
I've been running an aerator for a couple of years now. I have one membrane at 7 feet in the middle, and another membrane diffuser and two airstones in the corner by us as kind of a duckweed barrier to keep it out of our end.
every year the same thing happens--the duckweed covers the pond except for around the aeration. I skim it off and use it with a compost tumbler to make great compost. But duckweed is just too fast.
My question or appeal to talk about a general topic is enzymes and bacteria. Seems like a lot of options, lots of "proprietary mixes" lots of different claims and mix rates, rate intervals, etc.
Would it be possible to start a forum topic on this to discuss? I'm looking to get the pond in balance so the nutrients are gobbled up either by the enzymes/bacteria or other plants--just enough for my son to be able to toss a fishing line in the water and not just catch DW.
Anyone with success controlling duckweed with micro-organisms and how many years did it take?
I did start with some bacteria this year and in my opinion so far the bacteria have eaten away at the small stuff so that it seems like when I rake the pond I can scoop out even more bottom matter--sticks, leaves, etc. So I think it may be starting the long process--I just don't know how else to gauge success with this stuff. Any clues on what to look for? Thanks in advance.
I have a 1/3 acre pond, roughly 140 by 100 ft, 9 feet deep. the side by our house is shallower. It's heavily wooded on three sides (N, W, S)
No weeds except for duckweed.
Fish--been stocking slowly over time--bass, catfish, bluegill, some perch and lots of minnows; there are lots of frogs, snails, bugs, other fish food--seems full of life although my stocked fish I don't know where they are.
I've been running an aerator for a couple of years now. I have one membrane at 7 feet in the middle, and another membrane diffuser and two airstones in the corner by us as kind of a duckweed barrier to keep it out of our end.
every year the same thing happens--the duckweed covers the pond except for around the aeration. I skim it off and use it with a compost tumbler to make great compost. But duckweed is just too fast.
My question or appeal to talk about a general topic is enzymes and bacteria. Seems like a lot of options, lots of "proprietary mixes" lots of different claims and mix rates, rate intervals, etc.
Would it be possible to start a forum topic on this to discuss? I'm looking to get the pond in balance so the nutrients are gobbled up either by the enzymes/bacteria or other plants--just enough for my son to be able to toss a fishing line in the water and not just catch DW.
Anyone with success controlling duckweed with micro-organisms and how many years did it take?
I did start with some bacteria this year and in my opinion so far the bacteria have eaten away at the small stuff so that it seems like when I rake the pond I can scoop out even more bottom matter--sticks, leaves, etc. So I think it may be starting the long process--I just don't know how else to gauge success with this stuff. Any clues on what to look for? Thanks in advance.