Product Review – Effectively Reduce Muck With Microbes

As ponds age, they build-up organic matter on the bottom, especially ponds with fish feeding programs.  Fish waste, silt, and other material create sludge or muck.    Since there is no oxygen on the bottom, sludge has no opportunity to breakdown and dissipate.  Aeration provides a catalyst to initiate recycling.  Microbes is another method.

Microbes reduce sludge and nutrients that feed annoying algae.  There are fewer incidents of undesirable odors. Microbes influence water quality as they interact with water chemistry, oxygen, circulation, and temperatures.  Depending on the type bacteria in a pond, it can make or break an ecosystem.

Small amounts of beneficial microbes are found in most water, but limited quantities don’t sustain noticeable change.  By adding supplemental amounts, you can release billions of friendly bacteria to neutralize and purify water.  They compete with undesirable organisms for nutrients, thereby preventing unwanted varieties from growing and reproducing.

Bacteria are Nature’s recyclers.  Properly matched with a given environment, they have a remarkable ability to purify problem conditions.  They generate enzymes that break down various compounds.  Bacteria is active while pollution exists.  As pollution declines, bacteria diminishes.  If pollution levels rise, bacteria activity increases. Microbial treatments don’t provide immediate results for vegetation management.  Since plants obtain nutrients from bottom sludge, noticeable results require long-term treatment.

One treatment option, muck pucks, comes in a 7-pound pail with 266 pucks.  One puck treats up to a 10-foot area.  The manufacturer recommends reapplying every three weeks.  Pucks typically are used to spot treat docks and swimming areas. Price is $77.69 per pail, plus shipping.

Muck blocks are a 6-pound block.  One unit treats up to 6-acre-feet (1-acre-foot is 325,851-gallons).  It should be reapplied every 30-days.  Blocks are used for medium to large ponds and feeder streams.  Price is $61.64 per block, plus shipping.