AQUACLEAN

Algae Growth

Algal growth occurs when nitrates and nitrites become present in water. Nitrates and Nitrites are the food source for algae, and when high levels exist, coupled with direct sunlight, all types of algae will bloom. The warmer the water is, the faster the algae will grow. AQUACLEAN works by removing this food source for algae, causing it to die away and prevent new growth.

What the bacteria do?

• Removes algae.
• Removes blanket weed.
• Prevents algae.
• Prevents blanket weed.
• Breaks down organic and fecal waste in the water.
• Reduces Sludge.
• Clarifies lake or pond water.
• Eliminates ammonia and organic odours.
• Enhances uptake of nutrients by grasses.
• Improves the aquatic environment for fish and wildlife.
• Reduces ammonia salts and other contaminants.
• Includes a strain of lactobacillus to lower pH.
• Safe for humans, animals, fish and aquatic plant life.
• Controls surface algae.
• Breaks down organic matter at the bottom of the pond (fecal matter, unused food etc.)

AQUAFEED

Aquafeed is specifically designed to reduce incidence of several diseases (including white spot and vibriosis) and mortality. It is a live microbial supplement that is beneficial in improving growth rate and intestinal balance.
Due to the amount of vitamins and minerals included in Aquafeed no additional supplements are needed.

It works by improving the immune system of your fish making them less vulnerable to diseases. It contains no chemicals and is completely environmentally friendly.

Green Water, Blanketweed and Blue-Green Algae

Green water is caused by microscopic single celled algae that float free in the water column.
Blanketweed is a filamentous algae and comprises long chains of algae cells that are string like and attach to solid surfaces, such as rocks, plants, walls etc.
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can range from single cell species to filamentous species which when they become excessive are referred to as blooms. They can form a surface scum that may look like paint, jelly or floc. Blue-green algae can be toxic!

Aquaclean is designed to kill blanket weed and blue green algae but not single cell algae!

Green water is often associated with new ponds and filtration systems, where the addition of fish alters the balance of nutrients in the pond, which encourages these nuisance algae to thrive!
Green water can be controlled by UV light or harsh chemicals. However, once the single cell algae is removed, you then have an environment ideal for blanketweed! In fact the green water excludes sunlight from the water column and therefore prevents blanketweed from growing!

It seems you just can’t win!

The nutrients that all algae feed on are, Phosphates, nitrites and Nitrates! Phosphates are often found in fish foods so do not overfeed your fish (everyone does), especially in the summer as there is enough insects etc. for the fish to feed on and you should cut down the feed amount. Food that is not eaten turns into ammonia, along with fish faeces, and ammonia breaks down into Nitrates and Nitrites all of which are a food source for algae. Phosphates, Nitrates and Nitrites are also found in fertilisers, which can leach into ponds from surrounding land that has been fertilised.

There is some good news! Single cell algae, as opposed to filamentous algae are actually good for fish, even though it is unsightly (see Koi Carp magazine April 2008).

Tips on how to create a clean pond

• Start the season by harvesting any old algae, leaves etc from your pond.
• Remove as much sludge from the bottom as possible.
• Do not completely change your water as this will upset the biological balance and may result in green water.
• Ensure that you have plenty of aeration in your pond either through waterfalls, fountains of air pump diffusers. Ideally, you should have at least 5mg/litre of oxygen in your water column. The DO level in good fishing waters generally averages about 9.0mg/litre. A good aquatic shop can measure this for you.
• If you have Green water, either treat with chemicals or use a UV light for 7-10 days to kill it off.
• Do not use Aquaclean with the UV filter on as this will kill the beneficial bacteria.
• Once you are happy with the quality of your pond water, start using Aquaclean immediately. Remember to turn off your UV light. Calculate the maintenance dose and dose 3 times this amount in the first week, 2 times this amount in the second week and thereafter continue throughout the season with the maintenance dose.
• When the ambient outside temperature goes above 28 degrees Centigrade, double the maintenance dose to prevent algae growth.
• Do not over feed your fish. Koi in particular are very good at persuading you to continually feed them. The food simply gathers on the bottom of the pond and turns into ammonia.
• Do not overstock your pond as this reduces the available oxygen to fish and the additional fish faeces adds additional nutrients for the algae to feed on.
• Avoid using fertilisers around your pond as the nitrogen in the fertiliser will leach into the pond and promote algae.
• Keep your pond free from rotting vegetation throughout the season.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION

How does it work?
Will Aquaclean harm turf?
Is Aquaclean safe for fish?
How does Aquaclean control odour?
How does Aquaclean clarify water?
Will Aquaclean clear a pond of existing algae?
What do I do if I have an existing algae problem?
Is Aquaclean compatible with algaecides or pesticides?
How do algaecides cause long-term problems?
Is Aquaclean an algaecide?
What about aeration?
Will Aquaclean work within the pond bottom and sludge layer?
Are any permits or applicator’s licenses necessary?
How is Aquaclean used?
What is the purpose of the maintenance dose?
WARNING

How does Aquaclean work?

Aquaclean is designed to treat the cause, not the effect, of pond maintenance problems. Excessive algae growth results from easily available food sources – normally excess nutrients in the water.
Aquaclean bacteria digest the excess nutrients before the algae, cutting off the algae’s food supply and controlling algae growth.

Will Aquaclean harm turf?

No Aquaclean actually enhances turf health in the following ways:

• The microbes used in Aquaclean are natural soil and water bacteria that are an essential part of the mechanism for the efficient transport of nutrients from the soil into the turf roots.
• Aquaclean also improves the water quality of irrigation ponds by breaking down ammonia salts and other contaminants before they reach the turf. Common sense indicates that better water contributes to better turf.

Is Aquaclean safe for fish?

Yes. By removing ammonia and nitrite from the water, Aquaclean enhances the aquatic environment for fish and other wildlife. Aquaclean formula is used to enhance production in commercial fish, alligator and shrimp farms in Japan, Thailand, France, Canada and the United States.

How does Aquaclean control odour?

The bacteria in Aquaclean attack the cause of the pond odour, ammonia and slow decaying organic matter. By accelerating ad stabilizing the natural nitrogen conversion reactions, Aquaclean greatly reduces or eliminates the release of ambient ammonia. Rapid digestion of accumulated organic matter eliminates foul odour.

How does Aquaclean clarify water?

Aquaclean reduces the algae population and digests floating and suspended organic matter that clouds the water column.

Will Aquaclean clear a pond of existing algae?

Yes, however, Aquaclean mode of action is to “starve” the algae by out-competing for a primary nutrient, nitrogen. Therefore, it is most effective when used as a preventive maintenance program, before algae start blooming.

What do I do if I have an existing algae problem?

Aquaclean is designed to be a preventive maintenance product. It is therefore advisable to start with a clean pond surface.
This can be accomplished in the following ways:

• Remove existing algae by harvesting. This provides the additional benefit of removing nitrogen and phosphorous bound in the algae.
• Treat the pond with an approved algaecide. Great in the short term, but has many drawbacks for long-term effectiveness. Reduces beneficial microorganisms in the water and in the bottom sludge. Upsets the natural balance of the aquatic ecosystem. Wait 7 days after the addition of an algaecide before using Aquaclean.
• It is important to note that certain species of blue-green algae have adapted to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere. Although this species can survive in nitrogen-depleted environments, they are only a small portion of the total natural algae population.
  And even though not effective against these species, Aquaclean will still cause a reduction in filamentous and other algae, digest organics ad reduce bottom sludge and odour

Is Aquaclean compatible with algaecides or pesticides?

No. Algaecides work well in the short term, but kill the natural bacteria in the pond that handle excess nutrient. As algaecides reduce the populations of beneficial bacteria, fewer nutrients are being digested and the potential for long-term algae problems increases.

How do algaecides cause long-term problems?

Nature regulates nutrient levels in ponds with bacteria similar to those found in Aquaclean. Continual use of algaecides will kill these beneficial bacteria, and over time the pond will lose its ability to self-regulate nutrient levels.
The result is an out-of-balance ecosystem whose nutrients will support a large algae population. This can be compared to the increase in turf thatch and disease caused by the use of pesticides and fungicides.
As with algaecides, pesticides and fungicides also kill the bacteria that are essential to healthy turf, and their continual use may cause greater long-term turf problems.

Is Aquaclean an algaecide?

No, Aquaclean is not an algaecide. Aquaclean is designed to digest the algae’s primary growth nutrient, nitrogen. It will not kill living macro-organisms. Aquaclean will help to re-establish a healthy, balance aquatic ecosystem. Aquaclean is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and all natural and will not harm animals, plants, birds, fish or humans.

What about aeration?

Aquaclean bacteria utilize dissolved oxygen in their digestive processes. This utilization will not, however, affect the dissolved oxygen concentration in a well-aerated pond. Aeration will enhance the effectiveness of Aquaclean, as well as benefit all aquatic life present in the pond.
It is recommended that all ponds without adequate dissolved oxygen levels be aerated. By digestion of free organics, the bacteria in Aquaclean dramatically reduce the BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand). In aquatic systems, this means that more of the dissolved oxygen is available to fish life, as less is required for the oxidation of organics. Thus, Aquaclean will enhance even an unaerated or poorly aerated pond.

Will Aquaclean work within the pond bottom and sludge layer?

Yes. Aquaclean’s bacterial formulation was designed to supple the correct bacteria for the entire pond, including the sludge layer. The sludge layer can be the largest contributor of nutrients to the pond for two reasons:

• As organic matter (leaves, grass clippings, etc.) degrades on the pond bottom, nitrogen and phosphorus are realized to the water.
• The bacterial populations in the sludge layer can be damaged by applied algaecides and pesticides flushed into the pond during rainstorms. Aquaclean will repopulate the sludge layer and accelerate the degradation process.
  This not only reduces the sludge layer volume but will also reduce the release of nutrients. It is important to note here that the copper used in algaecides and herbicides accumulates in bottom sludge causing an ever-increasing toxicity problem for natural microorganisms.

Are any permits or applicator’s licenses necessary?

No, because Aquaclean is not regulated under FIFRA. No permit or applicator’s license is required.

How is Aquaclean used?

Aquaclean is a pond management program, not a one time, quick-fix chemical addition. As such, it requires initial preparation and continued attention in order to provide optimum results. The initiation (heavy) dose is designed to rapidly populate the pond with Aquaclean cultures. Seasonal golf courses require only one initiation dose, while year round courses should be done twice. The initiation dose is applied at a rate of 3 lb. per acre-foot of water.

What is the purpose of the maintenance dose?

Since Aquaclean is designed to be a preventative maintenance product, the biweekly doses ensure that the levels of beneficial bacteria remain sufficient to handle nutrient inflows.
One must also remember that water outflow, irrigation, leaching and inter-species competition with less desirable bacteria, reduces Aquaclean’s bacteria numbers. The maintenance dose is applied every other week at the rate of 1 lb. per acre-foot.

Because each pond has unique set of characteristics that will impact the action of the bacteria, the length of time to achieve the desire results will vary from pond to pond. Remember, Aquaclean is not a quick-fix to pond management problems; rather it is preventative maintenance program that will yield excellent results if followed diligently.

Warning

The Department of Health has stated:

Illnesses including skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, pains in muscles and joints have occurred in some recreational users of water who swallowed or swam through algal scum. There have been no reports of long term effects or deaths in humans, but in some cases the illnesses were severe.
ALTHOUGH ALGAL SCUM IS NOT ALWAYS HARMFUL, IT IS A SENSIBLE PRECAUTION TO AVOID CONTACT WITH THE SCUM AND THE WATER CLOSE TO IT.

In contrast to humans, animals may eat or swallow large quantities of algal scum with less effect. However, The Chief Veterinary Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food has stated:

The toxins which may be produced by algae, are also poisonous to animals and can cause severe illness and death.
FARMERS AND PET OWNERS SHOULD THEREFORE ENSURE THAT THEIR ANIMALS DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO AFFECTED WATER.