Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Hydrated Lime question for NUKE

Does anybody know that has used Hydrated Lime to nuke a pond before a restock, How much is needed for "X" volume and how long does the effect last?
We have some small areas above a community impoundment that may contain some small carp and/or BH and KDHE is Squeamish about Rotenone and may decide we cannot use it in this case.

I'm following this thread. I've been interested in this. Have you talked to TJ about this? I'm not sure he knows the details of how to go about it, but I hear him suggest it on occassion.

I believe I would contact Luskon his Wednesday Facebook program. Another resource would br Kelly Duffie

One way would be to get a pocket pH meter and keep adding Hydrated lime until the pH was 12.....

NEDOC, I haven't heard back from TJ yet, but I know he's done this.
I guess I was asking to see if there was an approx. amount for a given volume of water. It's dirt-cheap compared to rotenone but the state guys do nothing without some type of guidelines to follow. I know it'll work, just don't know how much to use and there are many, many eyes watching this so I don't want to just start throwing bags in the water, if ya know what I mean.

Drain pond level down as far as possible, mix hydrated lime with water to create a slurry, apply to the pockets of water that remain until PH hits 12. Lower the water volume the better. I used PH strips to determine level. Lime is so cheap you can afford to over apply just to be safe.

Hydrated lime is caustic - be careful when applying - waders and cover up as much of your skin as possible.

You can refill the pond and stock fish immediately as the lime will dissipate. To be safe take another PH reading prior to stocking fish to ensure you're 6-8.

Very interesting. I have some questions. Would the fish be safe to eat? Also how long will it take to kill them?

RStringer, I'll let TJ run with the important stuff, but once at the proper level, hydrated lime kills them PDQ. Once the water's bathtub clear, nothing's left alive. I've done it 4-5 times now, and it's amazing to watch the process.

Dropping the water, as TJ referenced, is exactly the way I do it. If possible, always stay upwind because HL burns are no fun at all. Me and my partner were admitting a patient, and a concrete guy came into the emergency room. He had HL on his clothes, gotten wet, and was burnt from his boot tops to his lower chest. Mucho pain.

I have used HL many times and it works well. It will last about 2 weeks if it is all dissolved (no piles/mounds left) but longer is better pre restocking. On small pockets of water you can just shovel some in and then test. ONE DANGER IS BREATHING ANY IN - WEAR A MASK AND EYE PROTECTION !!!!!