A small amount of algae growth is normal in most bodies of water, and in low quantities it can actually be beneficial to ponds and fish! Algae may grow fast under the right conditions, but the majority of algae species are ancestors of plants and perform many plant-like functions, such as providing oxygen, depleting excess nutrients, and providing water filtration.
The problem with algae is when certain species are left to grow unchecked, they can lead to massive “blooms” which place a huge amount of stress on a pond’s ecosystem. As algae die and decompose, beneficial bacteria consume oxygen to break down the harmful substances they produce, which leads to lower oxygen for fish, and less efficient filtration as bacteria struggle to keep up with demands.
Although there are effective mechanical (and chemical) ways to quickly get rid of algae, there has been a push to explore more natural methods to reduce costs, maintenance, and to prevent potential damage to the pond in the long run. Barley straw is at the front of that push! Even though barley cannot remove algae as fast as other treatments, it works as a great long-term control method and can help stop algae coming back in future, which is why it’s becoming more and more popular in the fish keeping hobby.
- The Original And Best Selling Barley Straw Pond Treatment From Summit
- Keep Your Pond Water Clean And Clear Year-Round
- Clear your pond, fountain and fish tank naturally
How does barley extract work to kill algae? (Process explained)
To discover how barley works as an algae control method, we need to dive into the details and take a look at each step of the decomposition process as it enters your pond:
1) Barley straw, or barley extract, is placed in the pond and slowly begins to decompose. During decomposition the cellular structure of the barley begins to break down, and the rate of breakdown is dependent on water temperature and oxygen content. Beneficial bacteria will work faster in warmer temperatures and well-aerated conditions, so you’ll see faster results from barley in summer compared to winter. After a few weeks in the pond, decomposition changes from being bacteria dominant to fungi dominant, leading to “rotting”.
2) As fungi eat away at the remains of the barley material, humic acid is produced, which is the first major step towards algae control. As the humic acids leech into the surrounding water it reacts with oxygen and sunlight, becoming more and more unstable and eventually forming a super-oxide radical which leads to hydrogen peroxide.
3) Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful algaecide, but when produced from correctly dosed barley it’s in a low enough concentration to be safe for fish and still work as an algae deterrent. A concentration of just 2 parts per million (ppm) is sufficient for controlling the growth of algae in ponds, and as hydrogen peroxide is more stable in fresh water compared to salt water, it stays effective for longer and requires less frequent dosing.
Will barley get rid of my algae problem?
The effectiveness of barley straw will depend on the amount of algae you have, the type of algae, and how quickly you want it gone! As with many natural methods of control, the turnaround to see results is often much slower in comparison to mechanical and chemical treatments. If you have a major algae bloom in your pond, and your fish are suffering, opting for a mechanical treatment (i.e., UV clarifier) to resolve the problem and then using barley as a preventive method is usually the best way forward.
In fact, in most cases of algae growth, we would first recommend mechanical removal and a pond clean-up before adding barley to the system. Having large amounts of algae usually indicates excess nutrients, excess waste, or low-aerated conditions.
Adding more organic material to the pond, such as barley, would only make the problem worse as it takes so long to become effective. As well as this, as barley straw is reliant on the beneficial bacteria in your pond to break it down, adding it to low oxygen and high waste systems will actually reduces its effectiveness, as bacteria are likely already struggling with the low oxygen content and large bio-load present.
Barley straw works best in high-oxygen, well-aerated, and algae-free ponds as it’s free to decompose quickly and more efficiently. For this reason, we always recommend barley as a preventive measure, and not to stop a huge algae bloom already in place. The best way to use barley would be to first eliminate any major algae blooms, and then supplement with straw to prevent blooms coming back the following season.
Are barley straw clarifiers safe for fish?
If dosed moderately, and assuming your pond’s water quality is good and there are no current algae blooms, barley straw should be perfectly fine for fish and plants. Even though barley decomposes to eventually form hydrogen peroxide, which is highly toxic, it will be in such low concentrations that fish won’t experience any negative effects.
The main problems that can arise from using barley straw are drops in water quality, which are often caused by adding barley to a pond with low aeration, poor filtration, or high waste. Barley straw is carbon based and organic in nature; no different to leaves, twigs, and pollen which enters the pond and contributes to waste. Just like other organic material, during decomposition it will break down and produce harmful substances, such as ammonia, as a by-product. Beneficial bacteria would need to break this down or it can become a major issue for fish as concentrations rise. Adding barley straw to a pond which is already struggling with high waste problems would only amplify the issues, causing drops in oxygen and a rise in harmful substances.
If your water quality tests are coming back as good, and you have adequate filtration and aeration in place, adding barley straw to prevent algae should be very safe for fish. It will also work much better as there will be more oxygen for bacteria (meaning faster decomposition), and less chance of problems with water condition later down the road.
Barley Straw Vs Barley Extract (Liquid) – Which is better?
- All natural liquid formula releases humic acids.
- Easy application and faster results than pellets and bales.
- Achieves natural ecological balance to keep water clean and clear.
When looking to purchase barley for ponds, you’ll likely come across two different products – barley straw and barley straw extract. Both of these work in a very similar way to prevent algae, but the delivery method is different, as well as the speed of action. In general, barley straw is considered more “natural” and works slower against algae as there is less surface area for bacteria to break down the material. The straw would first need to go through multiple steps of decomposition before hydrogen peroxide is produced. This process can take anywhere from 3 weeks, to over 3 months, depending on water temperature and pond conditions.
Barley straw extract, on the other hand, comes in a highly concentrated liquid form and has been optimized for quicker turnaround. After you apply barley extract to the pond, beneficial bacteria will begin breaking it down much faster as it’s already optimized, leading to faster results. The main drawback of using extract over straw is that you need to be very careful with dosing, as the concentrated nature can make it very dangerous for fish. It is also more expensive than physical straw, and some treatments may contain additional chemicals to enhance it’s effects and increase its longevity.
Both barley straw and barley liquid extract work similarly against algae, but since you should not be using barley as a “quick fix” anyway (see above), we’d usually recommend trying the cheaper and more natural physical straw. It may take longer to work, but it’s more cost effective and you’ll need to dose less as it releases substances at a more gradual rate compared to liquid formulas.
When looking at barley straw treatments, there are few things you’ll want to consider before purchasing. Firstly, you’ll want to make sure the treatment is 100% barley straw and does not contain any coating to “enhance” decomposition. You’ll also want to make sure the straw comes in pre-packaged bales, not lose straw, or you’ll have a difficult time dosing your pond. We also don’t recommend pellets, as they often sink and straw needs to be close to the surface to work! Check our recommendation below:
- The Original And Best Selling Barley Straw Pond Treatment From Summit
- Keep Your Pond Water Clean And Clear Year-Round
- Clear your pond, fountain and fish tank naturally
How to use Pond Barley Straw for Clear Pond Water (Best Results)
- Aeration for 2,000 - 8,000-gallon ponds and water gardens
- Max operating depth is 4 feet deep
- Provides 0.80 CFM airflow with 1 Dual Stick Plate
Barley straw will only work while decomposing under well oxygenated conditions, and should be left as close to the surface water as possible (floating or shallow shelf) for the best results. It needs to be close to the surface so enough UV light from the sun can penetrate to form oxygen free radicals that eventually end up as dissolved hydrogen peroxide – the algaecide.
To work best barley straw treatment needs 3 things:
- Plenty of dissolved oxygen & aeration
- Be placed close to the surface for sunlight exposure
- Good water quality and bio-filtration (bacteria) for decomposition
When applying barley straw you want to make sure you have a stable aeration source, such as a fountain or air pump, as well as a filtration system to help remove some of the ammonia and nitrites that come with decomposition. If your barley treatment sinks, you’ll want to remove it and place it on a shallow shelf or consider a lighter product (we don’t recommend barley pellets, as most sink!).
Dosage should be per manufacturers guidelines, so you’ll need to read the instructions on the individual product you purchase. Never use more than is recommended as this will place unnecessary stress on your biological filtration, with very little in turns of extra algae removal. If you have liquid barley extract, you should also dose as per the label guidelines. Dissolved extract has the advantage of remaining free-swimming and being in constant sunlight, and you should see results faster in comparison with barley straw.
How long does barley straw take to work in ponds?
Depending on the type of barley straw product you’re using, the quality of your filtration, and how much aeration you have in place, the full decomposition process usually lasts between 4 to 6 months. In warmer months decomposition will happen faster, and in colder months it will be a much slower process. This is because beneficial aerobic bacteria work more efficiently in summer and much slower in winter when the water temperature drops. Hydrogen peroxide will continue to be produced throughout the entire decomposition process, and will gradually leech into water over this period. You should start seeing results from physical barley straw from 2-6 weeks if treated in spring/summer, and 6-8 weeks if treated in autumn/winter.
For barley liquid treatments, results will usually be slighter quicker and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide slightly higher. On average, you should start seeing results within 2-4 weeks during warmer months and 4-6 weeks in colder months.
Remember, barley straw is a preventive method of algae control, not an algae killer, so a good result from barley treatment would be less algae returning the following year. To remove large algae blooms, always use a direct treatment method and only use barley to supplement the process.
How often should you replace the straw in the pond?
For the best results and algae prevention, adding more barley straw a few times a year is good practice to make sure there is always a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the water. To ensure there is always a little barley decomposing and producing hydrogen peroxide, we recommend replacing your straw every 4 to 6 months.
In the decomposition of barley straw in the pond, does it change the warer’s colour. Because that is what happened to me. Please advise! Thank you
Hi Shelley,
How much barley straw are you dosing? Also, have you tested your water quality for further problems?
In my experience, water may turn slightly cloudy when using barley straw in the long term, but this is often only when you add too much, too often. I’d recommend running a broad water quality test to check your ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and KH parameters. Check here for info:- https://pondinformer.com/best-pond-water-test-kit/
Can you use barley liquid with Crystal Clear one fix
Hi Christine,
Yep, that should be fine. In-fact, using the Crystal Clear (which is basically just beneficial bacteria) may actually improve your results from barley as there will be more available bacteria to help decompose the straw, resulting in a quicker turnaround of hydrogen peroxide to combat alage!
Will the extract work in my three tier fountain?
Hi Diane,
It may work somewhat in the long term, but the problem with barley extract is it requires bacteria for decomposition. There will be much less active bacteria present in a fountain compared to the bottom of a pond, so it likely won’t be anywhere near as effective.
If you’re having algae problems in a fountain, and assuming nothing drinks from it, simply adding some algaecide designed for fountains should clear up the problem. Alternatively, you could first clean the current algae and then add a non-toxic pond water dye. Water dyes block a large proportion of sunlight, and can help slow the growth of algae. See here for more info: https://pondinformer.com/best-pond-dye/
Hi! Can I use Barley Straw alongside Viresco Aqua without limiting the effectiveness of either product?
Hi Karen,
I’m not exactly sure what Viresco Aqua contains, but it seems to be a natural beneficial bacteria supplement, so using it alongside barley may actually improve overall results (i.e., more bacteria = more efficient decomposition).
It may be worth reaching out to Viresco to be sure, but personally, I don’t think there should be any problem.
Someone said to ise hey straw . Will that work the same ?
Hi Kim,
Most barley straw products intended for pond use have been treated and made safe for aquatic eco-systems. I’d advise against putting any kind of raw straw/grasses straight into a pond, especially if you’re unsure of the origins as it could contain pesticides, chemical residue, or bacteria. Also, when comparing different hays and straws, there is likely a different rate (and possibly mechanism) of decomposition, so I’d personally stick to barley straw products when it comes to pond-use as they’ve been tried and tested within the industry.
How about using in conjunction with a pond dye , will it still break down as the UV i’s compromised
Hi Simon,
Pond dyes will work to absorb a good chunk of UV light, so the effectiveness of barley may indeed be reduced. Whether barley straw would be considered effective in this situation would probably depend on the average depth of the pond, the concentration of water dye, and how much sunlight you get on a daily basis. The less dye, the more light, and the shallower the water (so more sunlight penetrates), the more effective the treatment.
Would barley straw work in a pond that is indoors if the area gets only a small amount of sunlight?
Hi Danielle,
Could I ask what kind of algae you are dealing with? And how extensive is the growth?
Without a good amount of sunlight hitting the pond, barley isn’t nearly as effective and results can be very slow. However, if you have enough light indoors for algae to grow, you should technically have enough for barley to work to some degree.
Hello
I live in Ottawa, Canada, and close my pond for the winter (no fish), and bring all my supplies (fertilizer, beneficial bacteria etc.) into the house so it doesn’t freeze, and hopefully that also extends its useful life.
Is there a ‘best-before’ for liquid Barley extract? Are there any specific products that start working in colder water so I can get the best start at prevent summer-heat blooms?
Hi Patty,
Similar to straw products, liquid extract should last a long time if properly stored in a cool, dry, dark location. Even so, it would certainly have a “best before” of some kind, after which it slowly loses effectiveness. If the packaging does not have a date, you could contact the manufacturer to confirm, as the shelf-lives of products probably differ depending on the composition.
In regards to the efficiency of barley, it works the best in highly-oxygenated, warm waters, with plenty of sun exposure and active bacteria – most (if not all) of which are usually absent in winter. Your best bet would probably be supplementing the pond with a cold water bacteria treatment which would help boost numbers going into spring. After water temperatures begin to rise, you’ll have a nice amount of biological filtration and, assuming everything else is in order (good water quality, aeration etc.), you could begin adding barely straw in preparation for summer. An example of a cold water bacteria product is here – https://amzn.to/2SUJ7pZ
It’s also recommended to begin running a UV clarifier in spring to remove any free-swimming algae particles before they can become too numerous in warmer weather.
Hope that helps!
Hi
Is it safe to use Barley Straw in the plastic net that it was bought in? Is it safe for tadpoles and newts?
Thanks
Hi Ruth,
Assuming you purchased barley straw intended for pond use, the net should indeed be safe. In regards to wildlife, unless you overdose with straw (which would lead to more waste/ammonia), it should not cause any problems for animals or the eco-system.
I have a Koi pond with a few tench and goldfish, will the tench be okay with the bail barley straw option? As I know tench are quite sensitive?
Hi Karen,
Yes, barley should be fine with tench. The problem isn’t the straw itself, but the amount of waste compounds (ammonia/nitrites) that would be produced during decomposition which has the potential to cause issues with water quality. The trick with dosing barley straw is to slowly dose over a long period, constantly monitoring water quality and seasonal algae blooms, until you’re able to get to a dosage that doesn’t interfere with quality but also slows down algae growth. This is why it’s always recommended as a long term algae solution, not a quick fix!
Sorry I do have Koi as well and pond is 10,000 gallons.
Hi Chris,
I live next to a 39 acre lake with an island that is fed by a creek that comes from larger bird sanctuary lake. As you can imagine, we have water quality problems and frequent algae blooms during the hot summer months. Do you guys do consulting? I’m a farm boy and I think that barley straw might be a solution for our lake, but I’d like to get a professional opinion before suggesting it to our Lake committee. Thanks for the information. Well done! Steve
Hi Steve,
That’s a big lake! Unfortunately, although I take a great interest in all areas of aquaculture and water management, including lakes, much of my personal expertise lies primarily in much smaller ponds, so I don’t feel I’d be the best suited to advise here. If I were in your shoes, I’d consult a professional/company who specializes in lake management for guidance before moving forward, especially if I was unsure of the legalities of certain weed management techniques in the state/area (e.g., what herbicides are legal? what fish to consume weeds are native? are bottom aerators legal?).
Assuming most weed management methods were legal in the area, and if having a professional on scene was not an option, I think the only way to manage such a large area of algae would be a mix of powerful aeration in the worst (usually stagnant) areas, aquatic algaecides to kill off the blooms, and then regular application of pond dyes to reduce future growth. I don’t think barley straw would be enough on it’s own, but may help alongside water dyes to reduce growth. If you use the lake to swim, you could also check into muck blowers which you can mount to docks to help keep a wide area free of algae, weeds, and bottom sludge.
However, again, I’d certainly recommend consulting a lake professional, as they’ll be able to cater a solution to your specific situation after visiting the lake and investigating the problems hands-on.
Best of luck with the lake! I hope you manage to get things sorted, and sorry I couldn’t be more help.
Is it wise to leave barley straw in pond when it sincks.
Hi Val,
Do you mean when the pond water itself smells? Or the barley straw?
If the pond is smelling, then definitely not! Adding more organic matter to a smelly pond will simply worsen the smell and further reduce water quality. Before adding more straw, you’d need to determine the source of the smell (if ‘rotten eggs’, there is likely too much waste and not enough aeration) and then work to solve the problem. Firstly, I’d advise performing a water quality test to figure out your parameters for ammonia, nitrites, pH and KH and work from there. For example, if your ammonia reading is high, it likely means there is excess organic waste present, so you can reduce that with a mix of water changes, muck removal, equipment cleaning/optimization, and more aeration.
Here are some articles with more information on these topics:
https://pondinformer.com/fix-smelly-pond-water/
https://pondinformer.com/best-pond-water-test-kit/
https://pondinformer.com/koi-pond-water-change-guide/
https://pondinformer.com/how-to-clear-green-pond-water/
Beer is made from barley. Mmmm…
Just curious, everything I read about the use of Barley straw talks about ponds. Is there any information out there about canals. I work for any Irrigation district with about 450 miles of canals ranging in flow from about 80 CFS to .5CFS. Would the water come into contact with the decomposing straw long enough to be effective.
Hi Brian,
Yes, I believe barley straw can be effective in canals, but I’d assume results would be somewhat slower and may also require higher (possibly more frequent) doses in comparison to ponds. As an example, here is a study which involved using barley straw for it’s potential algae inhibiting properties on the Chesterfield Canal, in the East Midlands of England . The study showed slow, but very promising long-term results, with no obvious negative impact to the environment. You can see the abstract here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226750935_Barley_Straw_as_an_Inhibitor_of_Algal_Growth_I_Studies_in_the_Chesterfield_Canal
Can i use microblift with barley straw liq. I have a 600 gal pond. It has been pea soup green since spring. Have small koi and goldfish. can’t see them but assume they are still alive. Have been using nualgi with no change. Removed a large amount of water 200 plus gal and retreated with nualgi. pond is still green. It is in full sun till late afternoon so put shade netting over half. Treated today for first time with liq barley
Hi Pat,
Yes, mircoblift is essentially a beneficial bacteria product and barley straw actually requires this kind of bacteria to become effective (efficient decomposition of straw is key to see good results).
However, barley straw is meant as a long term solution and will not be able to clear green water without plenty of time to become effective. Many times you will not see the results of barley until the next summer, and even then, it may not be able to remove all algae if your blooms are particularly severe.
For more rapid algae removal, I’d definitely recommend a UV clarifier, which should be able to remove almost all green water in a week or two – https://pondinformer.com/best-uv-pond-clarifiers/
Alongside a clarifier, you can try vacuuming/raking the bottom to reduce nutrients, adding forms of shade to reduce sunlight (plants, dyes, covers), and continue with water changes to keep the free-swimming algae particles low.
What are your thoughts on using hydrogen peroxide at the 2 ppm dosage mentioned in the article? You could get an exact measurement and not have to worry about the rate or effects of the side reactions.
I was wounding the same thing, using hydrogen peroxide.
Do I put the straw in wrapped in its netting or should I cut the netting off?
Hi Sarah,
As Verne advises below, keep the straw in the netting and place in a shallow location with plenty of sun exposure. For best results, placing it close to a source of aeration (fountain, waterfall, outtake) will ensure the bacteria are getting optimal levels of oxygen for efficient decomposition.
Sarah, leave the Barley Straw in its netting and place it just under the water in sunlight.
However if you have the availability of Liquid Barley Straw Extract it works so much better and not as messy, Of course if you are not treating a huge pond then the actual straw is better.
Hi Verne,
Thanks for helping out in the comments and sharing your experience! Good advise.
What is your opinion regarding using barley bales in a pond that is a source of drinking water?
Hi Gilbert,
Although I have not personally used barley straw for algae reduction in sources of drinking water, the literature on this does seem to indicate there should very little issues (in-fact, the water could taste better!):-
“No problems of taste or odor were reported in
drinking water supplies treated with barley straw; indeed these problems
may be ameliorated by the reduction in algal blooms (Everall and Lees
1997, Barrett et al. 1999). ”
Source: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2dc6/4da80cf51d1bc73a68bbce4284357e5350b7.pdf
I have 2 ponds 1 75 gallon and 1 100 gallon I purchased barley straw to help with algae they came in 2 bundles with netting and i just put in pond the straw smells like ROTTEN eggs i didn’t break the straw up I’m afraid that it might be to much and kill my koi I love my fish like my baby’s can u plz help Thank you
Hi Tammy,
Did the straw smell like rotten eggs before placing it into the pond? Or has it only started smelling after being in the pond for some time? There could be two possible reasons here:
1) If the straw smelt before even placing it into the water, it probably indicates the straw has been damaged in transit, not properly stored, or not thoroughly cleaned which had lead to some bacterial decomposition occurring. If the smell is THAT potent, I’d recommend discarding it and possibly returning it for an exchange of fresher straw.
2) If the straw is only smelling in the pond, it could be too tightly packed together or there may not be enough aeration over the straw. Aerobic (‘good’) bacteria require oxygen and nutrients to efficiently break down the straw, and they would struggle to get this without adequate water flow and enough space between the straw for oxygen to penetrate. In stagnant water with low oxygen, the ‘rotten egg’ smell is almost certainly caused by hydrogen sulphide from anaerobic (‘bad’) bacteria, which could be decomposing the majority of straw in place of aerobic bacteria. The solution to this would be to increase overall water flow, remove the smelling straw, and then replace it with a fresh batch but make sure to spread the straws more so water, oxygen and nutrients can reach the maximum amount of surface area.
Do you know if barley grain can be used instead of barley straw as an algicide?
Hi Chuck,
Thanks for reading and commenting!
There’s not much information online regarding barley grain in relation to algae control, but my ecology and natural resources background tell me that it shouldn’t be used as an algaecide. Grains are starchy, and barley grain isn’t going to have the same structural or chemical composition as barley straw. My hunch tells me that the grains would become moldy in the water, potentially encouraging algae growth and damaging water quality.
If I find any further information, I’ll let you know, but in the meantime I’d just stick to using the straw portion of the plant or other algae control methods.
Could you use barley to keep a salt water pool clean?
Will barley straw affect iron bacteria? I have it in my stream and it is nearing the entrance to the pond.
Hi S Lincoln,
As far as I can find, barley straw unfortunately won’t have much affect on iron bacteria. This is because it typically comes from man-made sources (piping, oil drilling, improperly maintained metal equipment), and can be difficult to remove. Barley straw tends to work best on naturally occuring bacteria and algae, and iron bacteria can be especially stubborn due to oxidation even when it occurs from natural sources.
These articles give a good overview of the bacteria and how to get rid of it: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/wells/waterquality/ironbacteria.html
https://www.watersystemscouncil.org/download/wellcare_information_sheets/potential_groundwater_contaminant_information_sheets/Iron-Bacteria-FINAL.pdf
Your best bet to keep it out of the pond would be to make sure that the stream and pond are not connected at all. If it reaches your pond, you’ll likely have to remove your fish, drain the water, completely clean all lining, piping, hosing, and equipment, and then refill with thoroughly filtered water. In terms of the stream itself, since that’s a natural waterway you will likely have to contact a licensed water treatment specialist to treat the stream so as to hopefully minimize harm to wildlife.
Is it safe to use farm-sourced barley straw in my koi pond? If so what size bales should I make? The pond is approximately 15000 litres.
Thanks in advance
Hi Chris,
Absolutely! Barley straw sourced from local farms has the added benefit of supporting local farmers, so that’s an added bonus if you’re able to find it from a local rather than large commercial farm (the latter are notorious for non-sustainable practices and utterly depleting soil nutrients). If you can get barley that was grown as organically and sustainably as possible, that’s even better yet as it’ll minimize the chances of the straw still holding onto any potentially harmful pesticides.
Most barley straw is recommended at a “dose” of one pound per 2,000 gallons (about 7,500 litres) of water. So about 2 pounds of barley straw should be fine – you’ll need to weigh the bales if the weight isn’t already displayed on any product packaging.
How could I use Barley Straw in a container which is about 24 inch in diameter and 18 inch deep? I have a small bale and was wondering how much I could cut off and place in a mesh bag.
Hi Tony,
Most barley straw is dosed at one pound of straw per 2,000 gallons, or one bale per half acre of water surface area. Some are different, so definitely check the label on the bale that you purchased. For such a small container, which calculates out to about 2 gallons, I would just do a very light dusting of straw – maybe a small handful, if that. The most approximate calculation I can come up with amounts to .0005 pounds of straw per gallon, or .2 grams. So you’d want approximately .4 grams for your small container, if I’m not mistaken.
Will this technique work if the barley is harvested prior to the formation of the grain heads?
Hi Glen,
Thanks for reading! Yes, the barley straw should still work to kill off algae even without the grain heads.
can I put the barley straw in a reservoir at the top of a waterfall,its a small pond of 125 gallons
Hi Robert,
That should be just fine! In fact, barley straw works better in well-aerated water as this helps it to break down faster and release more of the beneficial compounds and bacteria. Waterfalls generally aid in water movement and aeration, so this may actually help to distribute all of the good stuff from the straw around more efficiently.
Let us know how it works for you, and thanks for reading!
Could hydrogen peroxide be dosed at the 2 ppm level as described in the article to jump-start the process? I just added a bale of barley straw today to our 400 gallon gold fish pond. It is floating just under the filter return so should be in an ideal location. Thanks,
Hi Russell,
A byproduct of barley straw is actually hydrogen peroxide, so I’m hesitant to advise on adding any extra as it can harm fish. The amount generated by the barley straw is produced gradually over time, so little bits get released to slowly and continually control algae without being too much for the fish to handle. Adding H2O2 directly is, in my personal opinion, a risk to your fish.
I’m in the process of investigating alternatives to ongoing chemical treatment for our 2.5 acre community pond. We had, for about 3 years, a flock of geese that fouled the water and created an algae problem. The geese are gone and pond service came and treated on a monthly basis for 2 years. The treatments were halted due to expense and we now have an algae bloom during the hottest summer month and lowest water levels of August/September.
Treatment with Barley Straw seems to be a good preventative alternative if we start now(fall) for next year. We’re located in SE SC.
What say you?
Can you put Barley extract and barley straw in at the same time so they work together in 100 gallon fish and turtle pond?
Hi Melva,
Sorry about the very late reply! We wouldn’t recommend using both in conjunction, particularly for such a small pond, as barley extract is very concentrated and needs to be dosed extremely carefully to prevent toxicity to fish, turtles, and any other organisms present.
Is okay to leave bag barely straw under neath my bio bucket outlet plpe back into my pond
You recommend algaecide for fountains, rather than barley straw. Is algaecide safe for birds? Lots of hummingbirds drink at our fountain.
Thanks,
David
Hi David,
Apologies for the delayed response!
Anything that is made to kill one thing can certainly be harmful to others. We would recommend manually cleaning your fountain as often as needed to keep algae levels at whatever level you are comfortable with. You could also add some beneficial bacteria, as these won’t be harmful to hummingbirds and will work to naturally break down algae long-term. You can use hydrogen peroxide to help more thoroughly kill off the algae after draining the fountain; you can rinse the fountain after cleaning with the H2O2 and then allow the fountain to run again without risk to birds.
We have a 1 acre pond which has very bad duck weed and algae due to excessive nutrients from organic material at the bottom. I am concerned about adding more organic material in the form of barley straw. Could I apply it on the bank instead so rain water washes through it into the pond as it rots?
Hi Nick,
Apologies for the late response! You might consider using barley straw extract, which is the liquid form. I would also suggest adding in beneficial bacteria, as these will work to break down the organic material on the bottom of your pond, as well as the algae! They’ll also multiply over time, and only work more efficiently as time goes on. They’re not harmful at all to fish or other critters, so no worries there. We have a couple of resources on beneficial bacteria if you’re interested:
https://pondinformer.com/best-beneficial-bacteria-ponds/ (if you’d rather buy the ready-to-go bacteria)
https://pondinformer.com/how-to-grow-pond-bacteria/ (if you’d like to try generating your own)
I coown a house on a lake in northwestern new jersey which has large filametous algae blooms. Last year I put small barley straw bales around our dock and it worked. My dock area gets full sun. This spring I want to put in more barley straw bales and barley extract. How early in spring should I put the bales in?
Thank you!
I’ve placed the barley hay in burlap bags – each tied to rocks along the shore line – although they have enough slack to float around they’ve all gravitated to the shallowest parts of the pond with most of the bag above the water. Is this okay? And – I initially submerged each bag to soak the hay – should I periodically turn the bags over? And – thank you for all the expertise you’ve shared!
Is it ok to use barley straw extract with a uv filter in place? The only way I can disable the filter is by turning off the pump, and I understand aeration is very necessary.
I have just purchased a bag of barley straw from my local pet store it however doesn’t mention that it’s for ponds , also although the water returning from my filter is clear the water in the pond looks green , will the straw clear this ?
My outdoor pond is very small. Only about 50 gallons. There does not appear to be algae blooms but the water is green like the proverbial “pea soup”. I have four goldfish who seem to be thriving. I will opt for the method that takes a long time as I really do not want to replace the water. If I use barley straw over a period of a year should the water clear up to some extent? I thought I would put some of the straw into one of those thistle feed mesh bags (used to feed goldfinch) and then tie it off so it floats near my waterfall. Any thoughts on this?
Hi William,
Thanks for sharing your experience! I think using barley straw is a good idea to reduce the algae growth and improve the water quality. It may take some time, but it is a natural and safe method. You can use a mesh bag to hold the straw and place it near the waterfall, where there is more water circulation. Make sure to replace the straw every few months, as it loses its effectiveness over time. I hope this helps!
Trivial note!
The photo at the top of your article on barley straw for ponds shows an ear of wheat…..
Hah, good catch! We’ll look into getting that updated. Thanks, Nick. We appreciate the feedback.
I’m setting up wicking garden beds out of corrugated iron (180 L x70 W x 82D) that have PVC pool liners in them. They require 25cm of pebbles in their bases this is the level of water below the garden above. On top of the pebbles is shade cloth then a wicking cloth to prevent soil filling gaps in pebbles.
All the beds are connected via plumbing pipes and fed by tank water. I’m wondering would it be beneficial to place some barley straw below in the pebbles to assist oxygenation within the water base or will the flow of tank water above be sufficient
My pond doesn’t have either fish or plants, I am just interested in clearing the water of algae. The pond has a full southern exposure, so it can get warm there, which increases the algae growth. What would you recommend in this situation?