The Concentrated Barley Straw Extract goes to work on contact, releases decomposition by-products immediately, not harmful to aquatic life, plants, humans or pets.  One ounce is equal to multiple barley straw bales and can be used all year round.  Oh, and there is no messy residual.

When a pond’s ecosystem is mature and balanced, the water is usually clear and healthy for aquatic life.  This maturation process is a function of the microbiological and chemical properties of the water.

  1. NATURAL CHEMICAL MATURATION: Microbe-Lift/Barley Straw Liquid & Dry formulations help to mature the pond with natural chemicals just as a pure mountain stream matures through the years by introducing natural breakdown products from trees, plants, etc.  These natural breakdown products often include humic and fulvic acids and organic acids that have a natural ability to sequester, or tie up, inorganic compounds so that their concentrations in the pond do not reach levels that would unbalance the pond’s ecosystem.  These chemicals (acids) can also lead to natural purification of the pond through a slow release of hydrogen peroxide as they react with sunlight.  The hydrogen peroxide is produced at levels that help purify the water while not having any adverse effects on desirable aquatic life.
  2. BIOLOGICAL MATURATION: The microbiological maturation process involves development of symbiotic populations of bacteria which stabilize the critical organic and inorganic components of the pond.  The microorganisms do this through their ability to promote “biogeochemical cycles” – including carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles – elements critical to all forms of aquatic life.  By stabilizing these components, the bacteria prevent pollution of the pond.  It can take some time to accomplish this “biological maturation” in a man-made pond and may never occur as the maturation process is constantly interrupted by certain pond practices, such as cleaning out the pond.  The process can be accelerated significantly through the use of Microbe-Lift/PL – a virtual “ecosystem in a bottle” – and mimics the complex interdependent populations in a mature pond.

ALL BARLEY PRODUCTS are used in ponds for their value as preventative – preventing the problems that accompany New Pond Syndrome!  NPS comes with all new ponds that have not yet developed balance to support pond life.  When you see too much ammonia or nitrite, it’s new pond syndrome.  Fish that float near the surface, gasping for air, randomly bumping into things in the pond or seeming lethargic or not hungry, are also symptoms of NPS.  Fish dying due to overstocking prior to achieving pond maturation.  Discolored water, often mistaken for algae, strong odor in the water.  All are detrimental symptoms of New Pond Syndrome that could have been prevented by taking the time to use the proper products, and/or sufficient time, to achieve Natural Chemical and Biological Maturation.

  • The Barley Pellets contain Peat, as does the Concentrated Extract + Peat. Concentrated Barley Straw Extract does not contain any Peat.
  • Barley will not interfere with PL, Sludge Away, Autumn Winter Prep, or other maintenance products being used.
  • Peat does not harm the fish.
  • Peat is used to lower pH slightly (from 9.0 to 8.8).
  • Barley products do not harm aquatic plants.