Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations water clarity

Ksnake - Is your pond new and why is it muddy? If the cause of water muddiness is not solved it will again soon be come murky again. Is the water gradually clearing? and how long has it been cloudy? Natural microcopical biological activity frequently clears pond gradually over time 3 - 6 wks.

Why are you using straw "hay" instead of lime, gypsum or alum? These chemicals will not add organic mater to pond bottom and they will also help bind the dissolved phosphorus which will feed algae when the water clears up.

Rotting organic matter of all kinds will always consume oxygen. This added material will eventually become added bottom "muck". Amount of organic material and water temperature are the two main factors. Warmer the water is, the less oxygen it can hold. More organic material consumes more oxygen.

Good hay works better than wheat straw. Hay produces a better bacterial growth which is the likely mechanism for clearing the water. Use 1 bale per 1/2 acre every 14 days. Do not apply it more than 4 times per year (4 bales per yr in your case). Bales can be broken up and scattered across surface OR break bale into 2" to 4" thick sections and stake each section along the shore line in shallow water. Personally I think the water clearing action from decaying hay will be better in areas of the pond that are shallow, and that receives the most oxygen and sunlight as compared to hay that sinks in deep water.