![\"why](\"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Farm-Animals-8.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThere seems to be a bit of confusion about this, so let\u2019s clear it up to avoid making this mistake. You don\u2019t put hay into ponds. Hay is cut grass (and weeds) and won\u2019t do the job of keeping your water clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To prevent algae, you need to use barley straw<\/em>, specifically barley straw, for the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Algae do provide food for your fish and other aquatic life, and it also produces oxygen needed for all the creatures that live in your pond. However, having a little algae and too much algae makes a big difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once algae starts to get out of control, not only will it turn the water bright green or sometimes brown, but it starts to form a mat on the surface of the water that can create unpleasant odors and even be toxic.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n A heavy load of algae will also starve the water of oxygen rather than provide it. This is because while they produce oxygen from photosynthesis during the day, at night, they absorb oxygen which, when done in large amounts, can be fatal to your aquatic life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This problem becomes increasingly significant when large algae populations begin dying off, as their decay uses up even more oxygen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to prevent these problems is to stop the algae from forming in the first place. This can be done using barley straw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the 1990s, studies were carried out in the United Kingdom on the effectiveness of barley straw to prevent algae growth. Several different types of straw were used in the experiment, including wheat and rye, but none were as effective as barley straw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The researchers discovered that the barley straw was only effective against algae and not against other plants such as pondweed, duckweed, or watermilfoil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are, however, many different types of algae, including two common ones found in ponds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Algae is a plant-like organism that often uses photosynthesis, while some feed from organic matter present in their habitat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It can have a very simple single-cell structure or a highly complex one, with large multicellular structures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You won\u2019t only find algae in ponds and swimming pools either. Many people don\u2019t realize that some types of seaweed are algae, including Giant Kelp, a form of brown algae.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Barley straw<\/a> is a natural algistat, that is something that doesn\u2019t kill algae but prevents its action. Things that kill algae are called algicides.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOxygen Depletion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Does Barley Straw Do For Your Pond?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Does Barley Straw Stop Algae?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Can](\"https:\/\/farmandanimals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ohio-4104630_1280-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n