Dye Revisited...

With spring quickly approaching I get one question more than almost any other... "What color dye is better?" ...which is easier to answer than it seems.
First, keep in mind that a dye itself is not specifically an active ingredient or able to treat anything. Dye does serve a major purpose in preventing algae but it's not due to some additive or active ingredient. Dye works a preventative product by attempting to lower sunlight penetration. There are 3 primary methods of doing this. One way is clouding the water to make it hard for light to penetrate, a second is reflective properties that allow less sun light to penetrate and 3) lastly some dyes have color combinations that are known to absorb certain light spectrums that are commonly thought to feed algae.

Each of these methods is well accepted. Some people will say they prefer one and I suggest that if you have a brand or type that you stick with what you know and like. The key is to find what works for you and is effective based on the amount of time and money you plan to spend on maintaining your pond.

So as far as color you should select more based on your personal taste on how you think it looks rather than the requirement to use a certain color or brand. Dyes come in various colors starting with blue/green, to light and dark blue and even black. Most dyes and even brands can be mixed to create even more custom colors for those that want to try combinations.

It is probably more important to make sure you dose your pond with the correct amount of dye. Since the dyes work by creating some form of sunlight dampening it’s important not to under apply dye. You can apply some larger amount of dye without any affect to your pond to obtain deeper color if you like. However, it’s still important not to put in so much you cause a die off of plant life.

August and September

It's time to be prepared and not to get behind. Once you fall behind it can be very hard and expensive to get your pond back in shape.

August is the warmest time of the year and requires that you keep up on your maintenance. Remember that you will have loss of the chemicals over time for several reasons. If your pond has lost some coloration since the spring it is best to get that back to the right level by the time the hot and dry season arrives.

September is already moving toward the next part of the ponds cycle. This is especially true in northern states. It's time to get the biological treatment in when it's most effective. Natural Pond Cleaner is one of those products and will break down waste in your pond. This type of treament is best if used year round but will be most effective in the spring and fall when it's cooler.

If you have any chemical needs, please feel free to stop over at www.pondcaredirect.com to check our price list. Shipping and taxes (for Indiana residents) are included in the price listed.