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

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!

Cheaper than local pond stores

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.

This stuff is amazing! I was VERY skeptical that a hay bale would clear up my emerald green Koi pond, but dang if it didn't! One review said they last 3 months, and after about 3 weeks it was much clearer, but it wasn't crystal clear and it didn't seem to be improving, so I threw in another one. Now, it's crystal clear. I'm curious how long it will stay that way, but I'm ready with a new order if it starts turning green again. My only problem is, I would love to find this in bulk, but I found that the feed stores don't have barley based hay. I love having a clear pond but $10 for a few small bales when a huge bale from the feed store is $15, seems a bit high. I've included some photos. The green photo is from June 25th and the clear one is from July 17th. Booya!!! :) (Note: I put the first bale in on June 17th, but didn't take a picture until the 25th). UPDATE 5/27/2016: So, they worked the first time, but not the next. I tried them a few times and got frustrated because they weren't working. I read the instructions and it says, "put near a water fall" but I don't have a waterfall that runs 24/7. I do, however, have spitters that run all the time. So, I bought some of these http://www.amazon.com/Improved-Secured-Closure-Replacement-Guarantee/dp/B00KGEDB60?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00 and broke open a bale. Put the hay inside the wash bag and used that in my filter http://www.amazon.com/TetraPond-SF1-Submersible-Flat-Filter/dp/B0024EFYU6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00 I just replaced one of the filter pads with the was bag. This worked amazing! I just wish I could find bulk barley hay for a reasonable price! UPDATE: 8/10/2015 - So, I still love this stuff, but I've noticed it stops working after about a month. I just put in a new bale on 8/8/2015 because it was starting to cloud up again. I'm also using the barley flakes. The reviews said they work faster than the bales. I also noticed if you leave the bales in, they do disintegrate and you'll find the barley splinters in your filter and floating in the water. I'll update regarding the flakes, but will probably continue to use both.

I don't know if we did not give it enough time, but this did not work for our pond. We still had a lot of green murky water even after three weeks in the water. PS We placed it in the pond tank right after cleaning and two days later the water was dirty again.

filtered a lot of algae in the 2 weeks I have it in. did have to rig a frame with foam noodles to keep it floating

Used product in 125 gallon cattle stock tank at the beginning of the season with fresh water. In a month algae has grown as if it did not have the barley straw ball in it. I have used other products in the past that has kept tanks clean and clear.

. . . you just have to give it time, and if your pond is already terrible, it will take longer. Also, make sure to place this in moving water, i.e. under a waterfall, above an air bubbler, river, or over a water circulation jet.

Cela devrait purifier l'eau de mon bassin mais il faut attendre 1 mois pour voir le resultat.J'esere que cela va marcher

Very happy with the product. Smells and feels like Hay

Tengo mi estanque al aire libre y en una zona que le da el sol la mayor parte del día. Tenía tiempo batallando con las algas. Después de un mes de tener las pajas en el agua el alga disminuyó notoriamente.

To try to restrict algae in pond!

its a great and effective product