Summit...responsible solutions Summit 125 Clear-Water Barley Straw Bales, 2-Pack Treats up to 1000-Gallon

I don’t know how this works so well, but it does! I noticed it cleared up my pond within a matter of days and it’s been crystal clear for two weeks now. The only problem is the sinking- it has sunk twice and takes a couple days to dry out. Right now I have it drying out of the pond and the water is already starting to cloud up, so I just ordered some more. I would definitely recommend this to anyone with a pond, but wish there was something that kept it floating longer. But it’s totally worth the money for the effectiveness and ease!!

We have a new pond this summer and it gets about 9 hours of full sunlight. We got algae issues immediately. We knew it would take a while for the pond plants to grow and shade the water but it might take a long time. We used API Pond Algaefix (about half a cup) every 4-5 days to keep it from turning into complete pea soup. It would work a bit, but never get crystal clear which we were okay with. But every time we used it, some of the bigger fish we had (we inherited some 5 inch koi from friends) would look like they were in a coma for a day. They'd recover, but it didn't feel good to use a algae killer like that. Hence the search for an algae fixer that wasn't toxic to our fish. After reading, we decided to use this. It seemed like it would take up to a month for the barley straw to break down and release whatever miracle algae inhibiting chemicals. We also bought some Crystal Clear barley extract to jump start the process. So here's what happened. On day one, we added the two barley straw bundles to the top of our little waterfall. We added 1/4 cup of API Algaefix (because we figured there was NO way the barley would work that fast), plus about 3/4 cup of the Crystal Clear Barley extract. The pond was pretty cloudy. We couldnt' see the bottom (about 2 feet deep in some places). Day two: Pretty clear. Like, better than when we used the API Algaefix alone. We figured we're not sure what really worked, but hey, it worked, and the fish were swimming around looking very good. No coma fish. Day three-seven (it's been one week). Crystal clear. LIke, mountain stream picturesque crystal clear. There is NO way this sustained clarity has anything to do with the Algaefix or even the barley extract. WE can only think it's from the barley straw. It's amazing. The plants look great. The fish are healthy and getting fatter by the day. (We only feed them about once a week--most of the time they forage on their own and do great). The only caveat: we used to have water bugs and other water surface insects. We haven't seen a single once since the barley went in. No explanation for that. Weird. We have lots of dragonflies and they seem fine. All in all, SUCH an amazing product. We are so happy we did a little research and found this. No more algaecide! No more waiting for the pond plants to grow in. I'm shocked that it worked so fast and it's still going so great!

These work for about 2 weeks. You must put them in moving water.

Works great for ponds. Very impressed

Controls algae but turns water brown

I was very skeptical that this would make a difference, when someone mentioned adding straw to our pond would help keep it clear. But the results have been amazing. We have just started a 8ft (625gal) stock tank for a water source for our bees with water lilly's and rosie minnows. The water would cloud up within two weeks to zero visibility and we would have to empty and refill it periodically. But, ever since we added one of these bales the water has been getting more and more clear. Maybe there are other things contributing as well. But this product appears to have done wonders

Keeps the pond water crystal clean

Have two stock tanks on property for wildlife-birds, deer, frogs etc. The tank water does not have a pump. Fill from a faucet, so the water is still. One tank is shady - other in full sun, so we have algae issue with shadier one. These barley bales help keep the algae from growing. Always have a bale or two in each tank and it keeps the water very clear in the full sun tank and under control in the shady one. Inexpensive way to control algae without having to remember to add liquid additives. The reason for 4 stars - wrapped in a light netting to hold barley straw together but we have issue in shady tank with something (hawk, feral cat, large birds) diving into the tank and shredding the bale. We submerge the bale in the tank by wedging between flat rocks birds use to stand in tank and bathe and it still gets shredded. Not every day, not every week but regular enough to be a nuisance and another bale needs to be added. In the sunny tank, the bale is not messed with and it lasts a good while. When it starts to smell, you know its time to put in a fresh bale. You can rinse the used bale by flushing with a hard water stream from you hose, let it dry and reuse. Been using for several years. Recommend.