Bales are an environmentally friendly way to control algae in your pond while ensuring your plants and fish are not harmed.

An interesting method of safely controlling algae is the use of barley straw. Other varieties of straw do not work nearly as well. This method works best on suspended algae and has less of an effect on hair algae.

How barley straw controls algae:

As barley straw decomposes in water, it releases lignins. These are oxidized to humic acids in the presence of oxygen. If sunlight then shines on the humic substances, hydrogen peroxide is formed. The peroxides in turn inhibit the growth of algae. They have no effect on existing algae. Because hydrogen peroxide is dangerous in high doses and is highly unstable (it does not last long), adding hydrogen peroxide directly to the water would not work and could harm the animals and plants. Straw releases a constant supply of low levels of hydrogen peroxide which is safe and effective.