IMO in the near future, you should not need to use Aquathol granules even in the beach to control the 'small / narrow leaf pondweed' because with 13 grass carp /ac the pond should be or will soon be completely denuded of submerged vegetation edible by GC. The activity of even 8-10 adult GC per acre will eat all small pondweed. However over time the continual build up of nutrients in the pond will eventually result after the introduction of some form of "plant" / algae growth that the GC will not eat and not effectively control. The good thing of too many GC is the pond will eventually very likely have a high concentration of suspended sediment as muddy 'murky' water that also with the pond dye prevent "almost" all current forms of underwater "plant" types of growths. In my experience, all of nature's natural activities, such as waterfowl, will eventually introduce some form of plant/algae that will tolerate the current murky, blue water conditions. Nature abhors a vacuum when fertility, water and lack of competition are present.
Pond Dye Stain
Pond dye / stain even when used as relatively dark hues can still have 'good' light penetration. Why???? Pond dye was designed to limit or reduce primarily the RED and Orange wavelengths of sunlight and the dye allows other light wave lengths to penetrate such as yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Usually if you can see something in the clear water 4 ft deep, you should still be able to see that object 3-4ft deep. Pond dye does not really function the same as does suspended detritus and plankton that tend to reduce all light wavelengths penetration.
Developers of Aquashade colorant "claim" that using the dye at a higher concentration than 1 ppm (1gal/million gal) is not much more effective at reducing vegetation. However some pond management companies "claim" dye concentrations more than 1ppm produces better overall plant control results and they have to return to treat the pond less frequently. The "jury" is still out on this topic. I find that some plant / algae species are less effected by the shade of the colorant - mainly blue. The good thing about the dye is it naturally dissipates over time by 1. evaporation, 2. chemical decomposition of the organic dye, 3. fading from UV exposure,, and 4. dilution. Basically no chemical residue from its usage.
Bottom aeration is very good, important and useful for a pond's overall health - as "happy water". IMO and experiences with bottom aeration and pond water circulation and black sediments testing is,,,, - the aerator water currents do not mix oxygenated sediment surface water down below the surface layer of the sediment. Mixing of the pond's top layer surface sediments is very important for getting the quickest decomposition of the organic sediments and minimizing the muck accumulations.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 04/11/26 08:29 PM.
