JohnF - If the dye reduces the amount - density of plankton which in turns causes slightly clearer water there is no false advertising. Lack of water clarity is due to increased amounts of of suspended solids/particles: 1. silt-clay aka mud, 2. bacteria, 3. phytoplankton, 4. zooplankton, and 5. suspended dead organic particles of various sizes aka detritus. Stain or color of the water can also contribute to hue in the water.
TGW1 - Instead of trying to use dye to reduce the amount of plankton why not start trying to use less fertilizer? Maybe in 2017 use 4 or 4.2 lbs instead of 5 lbs. Depending on results one year try 3.7lbs of fertilizer than later add one pound? Experiment until you get the bloom density you want. Then later if the water does not have the 18"-26" clarity add a 0.5 lb of fertilizer. This should be a better way to get you to your goal. Keep in mind that your pond alkalinity can change from year to year which will affect the ability to produce a bloom. Ideally you should take an alkalinity measurement before adding the fertilizer to verify the alkalinity is adequate or same as last year when the bloom was good.
There is another important factor in forming blooms - internal recycled nutrients. Your pond sediments do decompose to add nutrients to the water plus nutrients runoff adds and flushes nutrients if there is an outflow. Keep these factors in mind when fertilizing to create blooms.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 02/10/22 08:04 PM.
