Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Soil questions Sludge

Anyone know if any of these "sludge away" type products work?......For a farm pond about 1/3 acre.

Also does this barley straw really work to control algae?

thx,
Sean

I'd approach these bacteria products with caution. They run the full range of the spectrum; some good, if not very good - but some aren't exactly what they're "cooked up" to be.
Two "water bug" products have proven to me to have some highly concentrated strains of beneficial bacteria in their blends (Producer: Keeton Industries, Colorado ~ Product names: KI's AQUATRON and KI's WASTE and SLUDGE REDUCER).
Other bacteria products certainly exist. Some may work as well - or better. But, talk to someone who has already rolled the dice with a specific product under conditions similar (or identical) to yours before writing a check. There are several players in this unregulated market who probably shouldn't be in the game.
One last note: Bacteria products are generally not registered with the EPA. Consequently, pesticidal (algaecidal) claims cannot legally be promoted. Should the product's producer make an algaecidal claim (verbally or otherwise), the product immediately falls under FIFRA and technically must bear an EPA (pesticide)registration number. Although this may sound like over-regulation, it certainly helps to prevent the snake-oil salesman from scamming too many folks. Kelly