Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Product sources Barley Straw

How do you figure I wasn't nice? All I did was ask some basic questions? The same questions that every conciencious pondowner should also be asking or at least thinking about. What is wrong with these questions? I did not say that b.straw did not work or that barley straw was no good or that you should not use it.

Mr. Russell said in his general promotional statement "prevents new algae from growing". There are over 800 genera of algae. Green algae (Chlorophyta) has approx. 15,000 species and the diatom taxa may easily exceed 7500 taxa in NA. Lots & lots of species of algae. Does his 'algae' include all or just a few? He states "success rate is very high".

Since you have me on the topic and 'got me going', I will ask another couple of questions.

What is the impact or affect of the leachate from barley straw on the production of zooplankton and the phytoplankton which are very important parts of the fish food chain? Most all of us here are interested in the fish food chain. Is b.straw good for fish raising ponds or not? Does it hinder or help a bloom? Some of us want a bloom some of us don't. I think all of us want zooplankton present to feed our fish. Does barley straw come with a set of detailed instructions for use and what types of "algae" is it effective in preventing? Does it harm zooplankton? Most algae/weed control products come with some sort of extensive background testing that have tested the product's affects or impacts upon targeted and nontargeted organisms in various pond ecosystems under various conditions.

I feel if someone is going to sell and promote a pond additive or product they should be a little knowledgable, be aware of, or at least have a little information about its affects on the pond ecosystem. Otherwise it's like buying drugs/medicine 'off the street'. Are they going to hurt me or not? Take a chance and test it yourself. Is the seller liable for any damage it may cause?

My questions were as much for everyone who was thinking using it not only Mr. Russell. One should think about the affects a product will have on all the life forms in the pond before putting something into the pond or treating the pond with a chemical espically an untested or unlicensed chemical. This is especially important for unlicensed products. Licensing/registration insures the tests have been done to meet some sort of standards.

I am not aware if barley straw has been fully scientifically researched or environmentally tested in the pond ecosystem. At least I do not know about the results or if they have been published. If the results have been tested and published then Mr. Russell or someone else may be able to answer some of my basic questions. I am asking questions to try and learn. That is how I learn some of my knowledge.

If Mr. Russell did not know a lot of details about his product he should not have said 'it prevents algae' and 'many people in my area use it to control algae', "the success rate is very high". He talks about success of controlling algae in his pond. What type or species of algae were they? One type or many types of algae? Do I have, the same type of algae in my pond, that he had in his pond? He maybe he should have included his second post with the first post (Apr 11, w/ Apr 10). Or He should have maybe just said, I have barley straw for sale and at a reasonable price; come and get it or I can mail it to you. Then let us figure out at our own risk what to do with it.
Tell me how I've been not nice? Better me asking questions of him than someone from the EPA, FDA, USDA, some other agency, or a lawyer representing a lawsuit or a judge. "Two more". What impact does the straw leachate and/or byproducts have on ponds used for drinking water and maybe infants or dairy cattle who drink the water? Does any of the leachate OR degradation or recombination products enter dairy milk via the cow drinking pondwater? A lot of people in NW OH use pond water as potable water. Some of the allowable limits in potable water are pretty low for common products. OH EPA only allows 10mg/l nitrates in drinking water.

Cecil you want me to "be nice" by ignoring all the above questions. My scientific education and environmental experience will not let me do that.