My friends and I have access to a small farm pond. It's fed by water coming down from other ponds on the farm and the water leaves by a dam outlet. For the first time ever this year we've had Canadian Pond weed in the lake. It's very quickly taken hold and it's now becoming a problem. We have no idea how we got it or why we've got it. We did apply Siltex once last year but don't see that as the reason why we now have it.
The question we would like to ask is does anybody have experience of this kind of thing and is there anything we can do about it? Presumably applying a chemical like a blue dye would be a waste of money as it would simply go out of the dam outlet?
The question we would like to ask is does anybody have experience of this kind of thing and is there anything we can do about it? Presumably applying a chemical like a blue dye would be a waste of money as it would simply go out of the dam outlet?
In reply to Post #1
Depending how big the lake is, a big rake dropped by boat and a winch to pull it in.
Depending how big the lake is, a big rake dropped by boat and a winch to pull it in.
In reply to Post #1
It's probably arrived via birds, I used to run a syndicate I used dye from a company called dyofix I think they were called you'll find them on Google, for a quote tell them the average depth and the acreage . It's too late to start the application now we youse to start Jan /, Feb onwards then a dose every month it was like large tea bags that you simply throw in the lake.like you say it could be a waste of time as the water runs out but this is what I've used in the past
It's probably arrived via birds, I used to run a syndicate I used dye from a company called dyofix I think they were called you'll find them on Google, for a quote tell them the average depth and the acreage . It's too late to start the application now we youse to start Jan /, Feb onwards then a dose every month it was like large tea bags that you simply throw in the lake.like you say it could be a waste of time as the water runs out but this is what I've used in the past
In reply to Post #3
this could be a numpty question but what the hell...
what's the dye for? does it stop the weed growth or just colour it so you can see where you clear patches might be?
this could be a numpty question but what the hell...
what's the dye for? does it stop the weed growth or just colour it so you can see where you clear patches might be?
In reply to Post #4
It reduces sunlight penetration to inhibit growth
It reduces sunlight penetration to inhibit growth
In reply to Post #5
What Yonny says.
We are quite lucky on our syndicate as the fishery manager runs his own Aquascaping business so he will occasionally (and when required) run the weed boat over the lake to remove surface and sub-surface weed.
One lake has been particularly bad this year as water runs off of the surrounding farmers field. During the Winter the farmer had a big pile of manure on the land adjacent to the lake. Within a matter of days after some rainfall the lake just bloomed, surface algae etc..
He has succumbed to using the dye over the past week after doing a run, so we will see if it works.
It's an ongoing battle to be fair.
He does alot of weed/silt removal over the country.
Here is his website if it is any use to you or others.
Digger Boats
What Yonny says.
We are quite lucky on our syndicate as the fishery manager runs his own Aquascaping business so he will occasionally (and when required) run the weed boat over the lake to remove surface and sub-surface weed.
One lake has been particularly bad this year as water runs off of the surrounding farmers field. During the Winter the farmer had a big pile of manure on the land adjacent to the lake. Within a matter of days after some rainfall the lake just bloomed, surface algae etc..
He has succumbed to using the dye over the past week after doing a run, so we will see if it works.
It's an ongoing battle to be fair.
He does alot of weed/silt removal over the country.
Here is his website if it is any use to you or others.
Digger Boats
In reply to Post #5
As Kyle from South Park used to say... 'You know, I've learned something today'
As Kyle from South Park used to say... 'You know, I've learned something today'
In reply to Post #7
JeffE feel free to pm me - there is something that can help
JeffE feel free to pm me - there is something that can help
In reply to Post #4
As the other reply it's like putting a sack on your lawn
As the other reply it's like putting a sack on your lawn
In reply to Post #9
Dont use dye. Look at what Farmham have done at Yateley. Mill Lane catches and weight well down. Not a scrap of weed left. Bad for the ecology, bad for the fish.
Dont use dye. Look at what Farmham have done at Yateley. Mill Lane catches and weight well down. Not a scrap of weed left. Bad for the ecology, bad for the fish.
Can you use less dye to limit weed growth rather than totally block it or is it all or nothing?
If you have an inlet and an outlet on the pond wont dye just disappear over the outlet too quickly ?
In reply to Post #11
Yes , by reducing the amount added each month weed will establish again in the shallows and you will see growth in other area's but not to the extent it had been previous years thus having to shut areas off it's a case of monitoring as you apply , it doesn't affect pads or rushes, I fish a couple of venues where the water is a natural chocolate colour and they have no weed in at at and the fish thrive.I can't comment on what's happened at another venue listed in another post but that sounds like a over dosing
Yes , by reducing the amount added each month weed will establish again in the shallows and you will see growth in other area's but not to the extent it had been previous years thus having to shut areas off it's a case of monitoring as you apply , it doesn't affect pads or rushes, I fish a couple of venues where the water is a natural chocolate colour and they have no weed in at at and the fish thrive.I can't comment on what's happened at another venue listed in another post but that sounds like a over dosing
In reply to Post #13
100% overdose. But then what do you expect if you kill all the natural food off. The entire ecosystem becomes unbalanced. No weed = no inverts = no natural food = poor recruitment (also because spawning substrate May be reduced too) = start of the end unless it's stocked artificially.
A steady application of dye, at recommended dose in winter and see how the weed is affected, if it's still bad then re-apply bi-annually or annually are a slightly higher dose. Any reputable salesperson will give you the correct advice, but beware of the ones that tell you to double the dose as they are talking about nuking the lake, a match water thing to do.
As mentioned if you have an outlet then it'll just disappear so you'd have to stop that happening by raising the head of the outlet so you retain the water.
Saying all of this, the dye is useless to you until winter as applying it now is a waste of money. You are best to mechanically or manually remove the weed and control it and then apply dye in jan/Feb before it starts growing again.
100% overdose. But then what do you expect if you kill all the natural food off. The entire ecosystem becomes unbalanced. No weed = no inverts = no natural food = poor recruitment (also because spawning substrate May be reduced too) = start of the end unless it's stocked artificially.
A steady application of dye, at recommended dose in winter and see how the weed is affected, if it's still bad then re-apply bi-annually or annually are a slightly higher dose. Any reputable salesperson will give you the correct advice, but beware of the ones that tell you to double the dose as they are talking about nuking the lake, a match water thing to do.
As mentioned if you have an outlet then it'll just disappear so you'd have to stop that happening by raising the head of the outlet so you retain the water.
Saying all of this, the dye is useless to you until winter as applying it now is a waste of money. You are best to mechanically or manually remove the weed and control it and then apply dye in jan/Feb before it starts growing again.
In reply to Post #10
I used to be dead against this type of treatment but I now know of several waters that have used it very effectively. As Vik says, it can be overdone. But if it's done sensibly you keep plenty of weed but at the same time foster lovely silty areas that hold bloodworm. Weights then go through the roof and because the dye holds back any algae the fish darken up a treat. When done correctly it certainly can do the fish the world of good.
I'd still not want it done on any water I fish, I like weedy lakes, but if it's for the well being of the carp (i.e. to eliminate algae blooms and associated DO crashes) then it's not the end of the world, as long as it's done right.
I used to be dead against this type of treatment but I now know of several waters that have used it very effectively. As Vik says, it can be overdone. But if it's done sensibly you keep plenty of weed but at the same time foster lovely silty areas that hold bloodworm. Weights then go through the roof and because the dye holds back any algae the fish darken up a treat. When done correctly it certainly can do the fish the world of good.
I'd still not want it done on any water I fish, I like weedy lakes, but if it's for the well being of the carp (i.e. to eliminate algae blooms and associated DO crashes) then it's not the end of the world, as long as it's done right.
The old fashioned way was to add barley bails into the edge. Seems to have gone out of fashion.
In reply to Post #16
That's for algae not weed
That's for algae not weed
Out of interest as a observer, what's the legality of the dye if it can run off into the watercourse?
In reply to Post #18
Depends on the effect it has, it isn't harmful to aquatic life obviously, it just blocks light. If you managed to kill off all the weed in a watercourse and destroy it then you'd be looking at prosecution. But if used properly it would likely just dilute to the point it's barely noticeable in a river as it would just flow downstream.
Depends on the effect it has, it isn't harmful to aquatic life obviously, it just blocks light. If you managed to kill off all the weed in a watercourse and destroy it then you'd be looking at prosecution. But if used properly it would likely just dilute to the point it's barely noticeable in a river as it would just flow downstream.
In reply to Post #19
loving this thread - I'm learning loads!
now all I need is that lottery win so I can apply all my new knowledge on my private lake....
now all I need is that lottery win so I can apply all my new knowledge on my private lake....
In reply to Post #16
Have these on my local lake, they've just changed them & it's amazing to see the amount of debris these collect- all sorts!
Have worked a treat to be fair
Have these on my local lake, they've just changed them & it's amazing to see the amount of debris these collect- all sorts!
Have worked a treat to be fair
In reply to Post #22
I don't think its to do with what they collect - from what I understand as the straw breaks down it produces a chemical that inhibits growth of new algae.
I don't think its to do with what they collect - from what I understand as the straw breaks down it produces a chemical that inhibits growth of new algae.
In reply to Post #23
Its the reaction of the barley straw as it begins to rot down, oxygen in the water and sunlight.
This all brews and forms a chemical similar to hydrigen peroxide that breaks down the algae at a cellular level preventing them multiplying.
Straw bales need to be broken apart and stuffed into xmas tree nettibg to make sausages, some plastic bottles inserted for floats, and tied into 1.5 - 2m lengths.
Apply mid spring just as the algae gets going (so some macrophytes still flourish) and add a second lot mid july to august and a coule f weeks later remove the first ones.
Use about 4 x 3 string bales per acre.
Its the reaction of the barley straw as it begins to rot down, oxygen in the water and sunlight.
This all brews and forms a chemical similar to hydrigen peroxide that breaks down the algae at a cellular level preventing them multiplying.
Straw bales need to be broken apart and stuffed into xmas tree nettibg to make sausages, some plastic bottles inserted for floats, and tied into 1.5 - 2m lengths.
Apply mid spring just as the algae gets going (so some macrophytes still flourish) and add a second lot mid july to august and a coule f weeks later remove the first ones.
Use about 4 x 3 string bales per acre.
In reply to Post #24
Applying siltex releases nutrients trapped in the substrate and makes it more fertile. That's probably why your weed has taken off
Applying siltex releases nutrients trapped in the substrate and makes it more fertile. That's probably why your weed has taken off
In reply to Post #25
Interesting mate
They have treat a few waters that I have fished over the years, gin clear and then an explosion of blanket weed
Interesting mate
They have treat a few waters that I have fished over the years, gin clear and then an explosion of blanket weed
In reply to Post #19
It's still an illegal activity to discharge any colour (dye) into a watercourse full stop, it's all detailed within the water framework directive. It's virtually non harmful to a watercourse within reason but unsightly and therefore what primarily drives that particular legislation, I've been involved in many incidents over years involving dye houses illegally discharging into surface drains and entering a watercourse.
It's still an illegal activity to discharge any colour (dye) into a watercourse full stop, it's all detailed within the water framework directive. It's virtually non harmful to a watercourse within reason but unsightly and therefore what primarily drives that particular legislation, I've been involved in many incidents over years involving dye houses illegally discharging into surface drains and entering a watercourse.
In reply to Post #27
Bring back the crystals
Bring back the crystals
In reply to Post #28
In reply to Post #27
Where abouts in the WFD is that legislation. I've never heard of it.
Where abouts in the WFD is that legislation. I've never heard of it.
Reading ALL pages