Gareee wrote Would regular straw work?

I don't think so. The whole barley business was discovered when farmers in
Europe noticed that run off thru fields of left over barley straw ran clear
when straw from other grain crops went had algae messes in their run off.

Aquatic Ecosystems has this to say -
Research through "Aquatic Weeds Research Unit U.K." indicates that barley
straw is highly effective in the control of algae. How about that, an organic
approach to algae control! It takes six to eight weeks for barley straw to
become active after it is placed in moving water. After that, barley straw will
remain an active algaecide for approximately six months. Microbial growth,
oxygen and warm water temperatures activate the decomposition of the straw.
With sufficient water flow through the straw, lignins oxidize into homic acids
and, with sunlight and oxygen, destroy algae, with no effect on higher plant
and aquatic life.
Barley straw decomposes slowly, so its oxygen demand does not cause problems
unless an excessive amount of straw is used. Stagnant water will go anaerobic
inside the straw bundle, killing the microbes, so be sure to keep the water
moving.

Now in six to eight weeks just about anything will clear a pond, water
hyacinths, anacharis, uv, veggie filter, time and patience ;-)


kathy :-)
A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/"Once upon a pond/A