What it is, what it does, questions and answers?
Pond dye is just that a dye to color the pond water with your choice of three different colors. Natures Blue which is blue you may have seen before, Black Dyemond is unique that gives the pond even more reflective properties, makes the pond look deeper than it is and a good choice if you have trees around the pond such as a golf course. Lastly is Twilight Blue, that is a mix of Natures Blue and Black Dyemond that gives a more natural colored look.
Why dye the pond? Adding dye to the pond will change the color from brown or green to your choice of color from above. More than just changing color is the shading property keeping the sunlight from penetrating the pond waters depths to reduce weed and algae growth. By blocking the sunlight we have taken away one source needed for algae and weed growth, which is photosynthesis. On with questions and answers.
Does it kill algae and weeds?
No, it does not directly kill algae or weeds. The dye “prevents” algae and weeds from growing. Without sunlight the weeds and algae cannot live.
Yes, if the dye is applied directly to the plant and allowed to dry, which blocks the sunlight until the next rain event
Does it stain? Yes it can when dumped directly from the concentrated quart bottle. Over time it will wear off if it’s on your skin or get to scrubbing if you want it off sooner.
No is the other answer. Once the dye is in the water and starts to disperse you can actually run your hand through the dye and be safe. After the dye has dispersed throughout the pond the geese, ducks, dogs, fish even kids swimming will not turn blue.
Is it safe for the fish and other wildlife? This has a yes answer. The fish, geese and ducks have had no problems as with our boys who have been drinking out of the pond for three years since we have been using the pond dye.
Can it be use to hide my fish or Koi from predators? I have not even experimented with this as of yet because as you can see these Koi pretty good. So if a heron was nearby I believe he would see them.
How do you apply the pond dye and what is the prescription? Pond Dye comes in a one quart bottle that will dye a one acre pond. The label suggests one to two quarts per acre and here’s how and why. As the label says use one quart per acre starting in the spring as soon as the ice is off to prevent sunlight from entering and starting growth in the pond. As spring moves on and getting close to summer temps’ start darkening the water to a quart and a half and use two quarts when summer is full on. If you have a ½ acre pond use a half quart and so on. The pond dye colors the water 4-6’ deep.
Shake the bottle good and pour a little in the pond in various spots until you’ve use the prescribed amount. Then wait 12-24 hours for the dye to disperse or to help speed up the process go back around the pond with a shovel or paddle and help stir up the water where the dye was applied. Start as soon as ice is gone and double the dosage when the pond temp reaches 55 degrees for added shading.
Pond dye can be a pond management tool as well after using the weed cutter and pond rake to remove weeds or use after a chemical treatment to allow 20 % to 30% of the pond to have plants for fish habitat. Other uses can be use a de-icer, the concentrated dye will absorb sunlight to melt ice or thaw out a frozen aerator line at the water’s edge.
Note: Ponds with suspended particles such as algae blooms, suspended nutrients, and particles of clay and or turbidity will color a little differently. Also these particles will change color from sunrise to sunset depending on the particles and angle of the sun. Some species of weeds need very little sunlight to live and shallower water will see some algae. We cannot be rid of algae 100% it is a needed life support for the food chain and a healthy pond.
Rain events can wash or thin the dye as it leaves the pond, mostly during spring or heavy storms, re apply to keep the color. Expect about two months of color if no water leaves the pond.
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