Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations barley straw bales

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She uses small packets of barley straw sold just for troughs - maybe the size of a football. And they get reused, so that they might be 3 years old sometimes. (Can't verify source due to sporadic purchases.)

Last year it was a new one, and it didn't work real well. IIRC there has been some info that "moldy barley straw" controls FA - maybe that's why new straw last year was disappointing..[/quote]

This explains a few things.

From what I have come to understand of the little bit of reading about Barley controlling algae, there are lots of variables, but a few 'Must-haves', in order for it to work.

Among the must-haves are;
* Barley straw must be decomposing (can take weeks)
* Oxygen must be present for decomposition
* Water temperature must be above 50 degrees for decomposition
* Water must not have low alkalinity
* Must be submerged

Of the must-haves, I wonder if your water trough has low oxygen due to being well water. Is the fill valve raised high enough above the water line to help introduce air? Maybe that, or a small aerator would fix the problem.

Happy Birthday by the way!