You’ve probably seen us advertising our special Triplepoint Blend Pro-Biotic for quite some time now. We always say that it’ll be great for your pond, and used in conjunction with aeration you’ll have just that much of a better chance at getting control over that irksome algae problem. For most of the population that is ignorant to such things, this raises the question…

What is Pro-Biotic?

The Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization define probiotics as: “Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” Some of the most commonly used probiotics are lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, yeasts, and some bacilli.

Now for those of you who haven’t taken the time to brush up on your biology lately, this may seem like the opposite of “demystifying.” Luckily for you, I’ll look to explain this mystical “probiotic” without the use of terms like bifidobacteria and bacilli. What you’ll hopefully find is that the idea behind using probiotic to help digest nutrient and eradicate algae from your pond is very relatable and understandable.

Using the definition from above, let us consider the probiotics to be the “live microorganisms” (since that’s what they are) and your algae-ridden pond to be the “host.” While your pond is not living in the sense that an animal lives and breathes, it is still a living ecosystem that is adversely affected by detriments similar to the way a human is affected by, say, a flu bug. In the case of your green-topped pond outside, algae-forming nutrients are the equivalent of a flu bug, allowing algae to spread dangerously, compromising the health of your pond with each day that it’s allowed to expand over the surface. These nutrients are the result of fertilizers, fish and animal waste, runoff from streets, et cetera, flowing into your pond. (It should be noted that 5-10% coverage of algae is considered healthy, but anything beyond that should be avoided.)

There are times when the natural bacteria that exist in your pond are simply not strong or plentiful enough to rid the pond of the influx of algae-forming nutrients (mostly nitrogen and phospohrous). The natural, decomposing bacteria can only break it down at a certain pace, and if the influx is greater than that pace, a buildup of nutrients forms. As the buildup continues to grow, the bacteria fall further and further behind, algae begins to collect, and you can end up with a massive coverage in a matter of weeks, or sometimes even days.

It’s a similar concept to that of the human body. Sometimes your body simply isn’t strong enough to fight off whatever ailment has befallen it. Every once in awhile you need an extra boost, usually in the form of medication. These drugs then fight off the ailment along with our antibodies, and eventually allow your body to become healthy again. The same is true for your pond.

And this is where probiotic comes in. Just as a medication administered to the human body is specified for a certain purpose, or to cure a certain ailment, probiotic is the same way. Triplepoint Blend Pro-Biotic is a collection of bacteria and enzymes specifically designed with one purpose: to digest the organic matter that fuels algae growth.

Just as the definition from FAO/WHO indicates, when probiotic is added to the host (AKA: your pond), it offers a health benefit. In this case, probiotic essentially acts as reinforcement, called in to aid the native bacteria in the digestion of algae-forming nutrients. They provide the necessary boost and help to decrease the overall algae coverage. This adds the benefit of aquatic plant photosynthesis since the sun is able to penetrate the surface, which contributes to a higher dissolved oxygen content, which leads to healthier fish, less obnoxious pond odor, and overall a much healthier, happier aquatic ecosystem.

At the concept’s roots, it’s all biology—it’s all related even though one is in reference to your personal health and the other to your pond. The same biological concepts and ideas apply to each situation. Now, this year when you throw your annual Pro-Biotic Party and someone asks you how the heck that Pro-Biotic works to help your pond, you’ll be able to explain it to them in a way that all can understand.

Quick Note: Pro-Biotic is only at its most effective when it is used in conjunction with aeration. If there is not adequate aeration, the dissolved oxygen content is often too low and the Pro-Biotic will not have the oxygen it needs in order to go through the necessary chemical reactions that are used to break down algae-forming nutrients.

For years, homeowners, H.O.A’s, and property managers believed that fountains were the answer to keeping ponds and lakes clean and algae-free.

Consumers are now slowly learning that fountains are not a viable solution, recognizing that they are relics of a time when people were less concerned about energy costs or detrimental environmental impact.

We have extensive experience with fountains, and can attest that they are a very poor method of abating algae and other pond problems.

Indeed, the Kentucky State Aquaculture Center States that, “Fountains will not typically provide an energy efficient or practical source of aeration/water destratification in most ponds.”

So, why are fountains impractical? The following is a list of reasons outlining the inadequacies of pond fountains:

1.    Fountains are Bad at Aerating Your Pond:

By spraying water into the air, fountains rely on air-water contact for oxygen transfer. Because the water droplets’ airtime is relatively short, and their surface area relatively small, only minimal quantities of oxygen are imparted into the water.

The MARS, on the other hand, is a pond management alternative emits many millions of bubbles daily, each with a longer rise time and comparably larger surface area/volume ratio—allowing it to add much more oxygen to the entire water column.

2.    Fountains Waste Your Money with Inefficient Operation:

Propelling water into the air is rather energy intensive. It is for the same reason that propeller-driven watercraft get terrible gas mileage—often below 4 miles per gallon—because moving water around requires loads of energy.

It is quite normal for a water fountain to consume more than twice the energy as a diffused air system, like the MARS.

3.    Fountains are Inadequate at Mixing Your Pond:

Fountains fail to mix the entire water column as they both draw water from and spray water over the pond’s surface. The deeper regions of the pond are typically the most nutrient (algae food) and oxygen deprived—therefore fountains fail to circulate the part of the pond that needs it most.

4.    Fountain Manufacturers Recommend That You Use Dangerous Chemicals:

Most fountain manufacturers will recommend the use of toxic chemicals like copper sulfate with their products to prevent algae growth and, therefore, minimize clogging. This recommendation alone indicates that fountains are inadequate for the treatment of pond algae.

Not only does this chemical recommendation add a significant cost to the use of fountains, but it is potentially dangerous for life both in and around the pond. Please refer to the article, “Protecting National Water Resources” for more information on dangerous pond chemicals like algaecides and herbicides.

5.    Fountain’s High Maintenance Requirements are a Burden:

In the Northern climates, fountains must be removed every fall and replaced every spring as they cannot operate in the freezing winter months. During this time, they must also be stored; many consumers pay thousands of dollars annually for these services on top of the high costs of electricity and toxic chemicals.

What’s more, fountains regularly clog with algae, plant debris, and waste (i.e. plastic bags), necessitating their removal and maintenance—often times by a professional.

6.    Fountains Don’t Allow You to Aerate in the Winter:

Because fountains utilized in Northern climates must be removed in the winter, there is no pond mixing during these months. This allows the surface of the water to freeze over and begin to trap accumulating noxious gasses that can lead to fish kills.

7.    Fountains Raise Safety Concerns Around Your Pond:

Fountains require electricity to be run into and across the pond, and this represents a large safety concern to life in and around the area if the integrity of the wire is compromised.

For an energy efficient, eco-friendly alternative to pond management, check out the MARS Aeration System. Its patented Double Bubble™ Technology both mixes and aerates your pond—keeping it healthy, clear, and algae and odor free.