Barley straw/hay bales in pond?

[ziopin]

Morning, has anybody used barley straw/hay bales to clean their pond? I've got a small wildlife pond up the allotments, its a bit murky and has a few lumps of frog spawn in it. I want to clear the water before the tadpoles appear. Any help appreciated. LC

[Stinky Bob]

I use it but I doubt you would see an improvement with the time scales that you have indicated, its a slow release of hydrogen peroxide from the decomposing bale, with the emphasis on slow.

PS Aquatic shops sell it for extortionate amounts, my local Morrison's had it on sale for 1/5 of the price.

[Jonners]

I thought that was to clear the green from water. I would be surprised if there was any in your pond at this time of year, but equally, your tadpoles will feed on algae to start with, so might like it just as it is. Not always nicest for us to look at, but might be just what they want . Hope your tadpoles do well.

[bigdave60dog]

Oat Straw is much, much better. I don`t like using any straw these days as it is usually full of chemicals that do no good to your pond biosystem.
The green is usually algae that is using up nutrients in the water. Plenty of micro fauna live off algae. Taddies depend on some algaes for there main food.
Don`t worry about it. The geen should soon go and maybe you won`t get loads of blanket weed as result of the nutrients already being used.

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by Stinky Bob

I use it but I doubt you would see an improvement with the time scales that you have indicated, its a slow release of hydrogen peroxide from the decomposing bale, with the emphasis on slow.

PS Aquatic shops sell it for extortionate amounts, my local Morrison's had it on sale for 1/5 of the price.

Or you could get it from my hubbie, he usually brings it home in his wellies, trousers, socks.....

Grrr.......

[ziopin]

Ah thanks guys, will just let it be, hopefully the lovely little taddies will sort it out themselves.