Larry --
I have used Rid-ex and Zep -- because they're pretty inexpensive. I just tried one that comes in water-soluble bags, a product called Septi-Pack.
Raking is still probably the best way to deal with chara. But it is very heavy stuff indeed, and I'm no kid anymore. I rake it when it gets heavy near shore, and when it becomes emergent out in the pond. When it hits the surface, it tends to turn white (sun burn, I guess) and die.
I'll try to post a picture or two in the next few days showing my "progress" in the chara battles of '08.
One thing I did note earlier in the summer: some (but not all) of the chara I raked in had plenty of damsel fly nymphs in it. So, since it seems to be good bug habitat, I usually only rake when it gets to be a problem.
Answering one of your earlier questions, I don't know for sure if the goldens have been more prone to predators than the regular rainbows. Kind of seems like they would. I've had only one osprey visit this year, that I know off; and it appeared to go home "empty-handed." My big predation woe is great blue herons, especially in winter. -- Mike
