Barley straw/extract

[Aderynglas]

I've been reading about Barley straw (and the extract) being useful for clearing algaes but will it work against the dreaded Blue-green?? The only thing I've found works so far is letting it burn itself out but I'd love to speed things up if I could and erythromycin isn't available in Britain except on prescription and I have to be ill to get that!!

Any one have any idea??

 

[KateA.]

Not sure, but we do sell a bunch of barley for ponds. It takes sometimes 2-3 weeks before improvement can be seen and it needs to be in there the whole season with ponds.

 

[wetmanNY]

There is more information on the use of barley straw in outdoor ponds to control algae at http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/algcont.shtml (scroll down for it).

If the barley straw discussions you've been reading aren't mentioned there, could you offer us a link to them?

 

[Aderynglas]

Wetman thank you I've never managed to find your site before but the link led straight there this time - its now in my favourites.
I've had a read and my little brain is now getting to work on the info - one thing I do know is that my earliest hunches about barley straw being snake oil are more than held up by the info I've just read. Most of the info in UK is distributed by those who sell it so hardly surprising that its reputed to be wonderful.

I'd love to know where the **** stuff (BGA) came from in the first place as I kept fish for many years without ever seeing it, then suddenly its taking over the tank !!

 

[wetmanNY]

The enemy of cyanobacteria is oxygen.. Try cooler temperatures, dropped water level, more filter-return splash, more aeration, more current. Then, even light dosing with hydrogen peroxide-- or potassium permanganate if you're cautious and deft.

 

[Raithan Ellis]

Not trying to hijack the thread here, but I had a question that I haven't been able to find a firm answer on.

Is there any form of barley straw or it's extract that can be used in indoor aquaria? My understanding is that it requires sunlight to break down before it is usable against algae?

Sincerely,
Raithan O. Ellis

 

[somefinnfishy]

some of us almost have daylight in our tanks

 

[punch]

Raithan , try fishvet.com (aquarium landscapes) they have barley for the aquarium.