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Pond Dyes & Pond Colorants
Concentrated pond dyes to reduce
sunlight penetration and enhance esthetics of pond water
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The use of aquatic dyes or
pond and lake water colorants is an interesting concept that has some value for
helping prevent algae and to reduce the proliferation of certain unwanted aquatic
plants and slime. These products work on many levels, and as we review the different
products you can buy we will discuss the positive and negative aspects of adding
pond dyes to your water, but the principal benefit of using a product like AquaShade,
BluZyme, Crystal Blue, Bio Black or many of the other brand name mixtures is that
you are blocking out the red-orange and blue-violet spectrum from the sunlight.
This is natural radiant light in the spectrum that can contribute to the growth
of algae; also, by blocking the sunlight we can reduce the sun rays that hit the
bottom of the pond, as the water is more opaque, thus we are reducing the warming
effects of the sun compared to a untreated pond.
Adding dyes to the pond
is also for esthetics and often that is the main reason for golf course owners
or public pond owners who use it to decide to add the colorant. It can hide the
shallow plants and algae that may be growing and in cases of wedding photos or
public areas it can turn a muddy gray water into a bright blue or reflective black
surface that often looks much better. I often have clients who have small children
or grandchildren who want to use the blue mixes for their pond just because the
kids don't want to venture into the water when the color is gray and once the
BluZyme or AquaShade is added the little ones think the water looks great!
Let's
start by saying that adding a pond dye will not make swimmers and bathers skin
turn blue! We get asked that question whenever we recommend the use of any of
these products whether it by the extremely dark Black Onyx or the more turquoise
effects of BluZyme. These liquid mixtures are extremely concentrated and some
retailers actually include a pair of latex gloves with every purchase because
while the dyes, once fully mixed and diluted in the pond are not going to stain
skin or objects, when the liquid is in the container it is extremely rich in concentrated
dyes and will definitely stain any skin, cloths, rocks, boats or docks that happen
to get a drop on them!
I've personally been very careful when applying
these products yet have always managed to come home after the treatment to find
my fingernails looked as if I'd been soaking in melted blue M+M's! On one occasion
I literally spilt a half gallon into the boat where I was carefully pouring the
liquid near the aeration boil to assist in dispersion throughout the water column
and I had blue stained legs that made it look like I had the Mother of all bruises!
Once the colorant has dispersed thoroughly it won't stain but in smaller water
gardens or whenever you are dumping it directly from the jug just make sure you
don't splash it or it can leave a stain. The stains will eventually wear off but
on some shorelines having blue or dark black stains on the grass and rocks can
be unsightly.
Just like many pond additives like bacteria the pond colorants
are available in dry pellet or block form. This format really reduces the risk
of stains but gloves are still recommended if you are handling and applying.
Buy
"The Pond Report" Highest Rated Pond Dye
Over the
years we have tested and evaluated the staying power and effectiveness of many
coloring products and have now chosen the one that we confidently recommend based
on our reviews of pond dyes and colorants. Many retailers sell five gallon supplies
or opne gallon supplies at the cheapest price but they are often watered down
mixes. Even though our 1/4 gallon supply is often more expensive than a gallon
of another brand of colorant it depends on the concentration and effectiveness.
I have, when buying my flat screen TV, heard the expression: "You get what
you pay for" and with this product it is quite relevant! This PK Lake and
Pond Dye has been our highest rated product consistantly over the years and we
trust it completely. We are able to offer this product at our special price.
| LARGE POND &
LAKES | PK Blue Lake Dye - 32 Ounce Supply - $49.95
Item # PR-4001-310 -- 32 fluid ounces per acre
Price includes shipping within continental USA.
PK Blue Lake Dye is the professional strength, concentrated blue
lake colorant formulated to treat commercial ponds, farm ponds, small lakes and
other large water features. This is the product we use for all our commercial
clients as it offers the best value. This PK lake dye helps filters out the sunlight
spectrum that can lead to algae and plant growth in ponds as well as creating
an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the water by offering a natural bluish
look. This Liquid Lake Dye can be mixed even more quickly and evenly throughout
the lake with the use of a fountain, aerator or similar device but will mix naturally
within a few hours in a lake or large pond if no circulation system is available.
PK Dye benefits
Natural blue look | Filters sunlight | Will
not stain fish, birds, plants or pets once added to water | Non toxic | Compatible
with most herbicides and algaecides
| Safe for fish, plants, pets and people
To ensure your pond/ lake maintains
a clear blue look, the use of Pond Keeper beneficial
pond bacteria is recommended in conjunction with Pond Keeper Blue Lake Dye.
PK Dye Application Rates
32 fluid ounces colors 1 surface acre
of pond water between 4-8 ft. deep. To ensure fast, even distribution, apply product
at multiple points in the pond. Reapply as needed. We recommend purchasing at
least four 32 ounce jugs for every acre of pond size simply because we've seen
so many clients decide they wanted to add more or less after the first 32 ounces
was added. A single application will typically last from 3 to 8 weeks depending
on the inflow and outflow of the pond.
| SMALL
PONDS & WATER GARDENS |
| PK Blue Pond Dye - 16 Ounce Supply - $29.99
Item # PR-4001-313 -- 1 ounce per 1000 gallons
Price includes shipping within continental USA.
PK Blue Pond Dye is a perfect general strength, concentrated
blue pond colorant formulated to treat small ponds, water gardens, wooden barrel
ponds and other small water features including reflective ponds. This is a great
product we use for all our small yet important clients as it offers an inexpensive
alternative and value. This PK pond dye helps filters out the sunlight spectrum
that can lead to algae and plant growth in ponds as well as creating an aesthetically
pleasing appearance to the water by offering a natural bluish look. This Liquid
Pond Dye can be mixed even more quickly and evenly throughout the pond or watergarden
when you have a fountain, bubbler or similar circulating device but will mix naturally
within a few minutes in even the larger sized backyard ponds or large pond if
no circulation system is available.
PK Dye benefits
Natural
blue look | Filters sunlight | Will not stain fish, birds, plants or pets once
added to water | Non toxic | Compatible with most herbicides
and algaecides | Safe for fish, plants, pets and people
To ensure
your pond/ lake maintains a clear blue look, the use of Pond Keeper beneficial
pond bacteria is recommended in conjunction with Pond Keeper Blue Lake Dye.
PK Dye Application Rates
Apply 1 fluid ounce of pond dye per
1000 gallons of water. Reapply as needed. We recommend purchasing at least one
16 ounce jug for every 5000 gallons of pond size simply because we've seen so
many clients decide they wanted to add more or less after the first few ounces
was added. A single application will typically last from 3 to 8 weeks depending
on the inflow and outflow of the pond. |
| Prices include shipping within continental USA.
Additional
border and customs charges on Canadian orders.
All orders received by 2:00
PM Central Time are normally shipped that day.
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|
Popular
aquatic dyes we have tested
We
recommend these as very good quality products
Black
Onyx
Black Onyx
Lake and Pond Colorant is an exciting new addition to Becker Underwood’s aquatics
product line. The specialized high-concentrate colorant creates a natural, mirror-like
appearance often associated with black-colored water. The new colorant will not
harm fish or aquatic waterfowl, and imparts a mystic beauty to the look of lakes,
ponds, and other ornamental water features found on golf courses, in residential
communities, and municipal recreation parks.
Available at Reinders
www.reinders.com |
BluZyme
BlueZyme c Combines pond colorant with
enzymes into one simple application - saving you both time & money. Its appealing
blue color is safe for all aquatic activities & will not harm the environment.
Colorant restricts UV sunlight penetration and does not stain wildlife or fish,
while the enzymes digest organic nutrients and wastes and reduce noxious odors.
Two sizes available: one and five gallon containers.
Available at AquaMaster
Fountains www.aquamasterfountains.com
| Aquatic
Blue
Lake and
Pond Dye is an organic water dye for use in ponds, lakes, decorative water features,
golf course water hazards, and impounded bodies of water with limited or no outflow.
Aquatic Blue improves the appearance of surface water by turning waters a bright
blue or blue-green color. Aquatic Blue may be poured directly into the water at
several locations to enhance dispersion. Treated water will not harm fish, waterfowl,
pets, or wildlife. Water may be used for irrigation or fishing immediately. Apply
Aquatic Blue at a rate of 0.25 gallon per acre foot of water.
Available
at AquaticManagement www.aquaticmanagement.com
| AquaShade
A
lake dye registered by E.P.A. for control of aquatic plant growth. Aquashade is
a unique blend of blue and yellow dyes specifically designed to screen or shade
portions of the sunlight spectrum required by underwater plant and algae growth.
This shading inhibits photosynthesis in young, bottom growth suppressing growth
and development of nuisance conditions. Aquashade can be used in place of, or
as a companion to registered aquatic herbicides and algaecides in managing aquatic
nuisance growth. For best results, apply before growing season starts, or when
growth is on the bottom. Application rate: 1 gallon per 4 acre feet of water.
Available at Aquatic Control www.aquaticcontrol.com | Jet
Black
EZ Solupak Black Lake and Pond Dye in water soluble packets.
Each packet will effectively treat (1) one foot acre, or approxiamately 325 000
gallons of water. To determine the initial number of solupaks to apply, multiply
the surface acres of the body of water by 4. Once the dye has been dispersed you
can add more solupaks if necessary. Why would you want black dye instead of the
traditional blue dye? - black dye gives the water a mirror like appearance Jet
black EZ solupaks is a proprietary blend of environmentally friendless, nontoxic,
water-soluble dye formulated to reduce sunlight penetration and impart a natural
black color when applied to ponds, lakes and other water features. The packets
are protected by a unique waterproof, foil-lined packet to prevent accidental
staining when you are handling the packets. The black pond and lake dye is in
water soluble packaging designed to dissolve quickly.
Available at
RittenHouse
www.rittenhouse.ca | True
Blue
True Blue
Ez SoluPakTM Each 5.25 ounce True Blue Ez SoluPak will effectively treat one (1)
acre foot or approximately 325,000 gallons of water. Holding onto the foil-lined
outerpack, drop or throw True Blue Ez SoluPak(s) into the body of water. Water
temperature and degree of agitation will influence dissolution and dispersion
of True Blue Ez SoluPak(s). For best results, apply early in the spring and throughout
the season to maintain color intensity. Do not apply this product to water intended
for human consumption. Do not use this product in streams, rivers or other bodies
of water not under control of the user. Do not use in water that has been or will
be chlorinated.
Available at Fish Farm Supply www.fishfarmsupply.ca |
Typical
directions for use, warnings, dangers and advice
Always the follow
the specific directions on the bottle, jar or jug. Most of these products have
no restrictions for use in Canada or the United State of America but most manufacturers
suggest not applying into ponds or lakes where there is an outflow into other
private or public waters. While most of these products, check with your local
store when you buy your pond dyes, are safe for fish and plants, pets and animals
they should never be used in an aquatic system that is used or connected to one
that is used for human or animal consumption. Certain exceptions apply but be
like my Sister used to say, be careful what you put in the water, as come contaminate
in the water are not discovered to be harmful until years after.
Applying
these products in larger ponds can be as simple as gently pouring the concentrated
liquid direct from the one or five gallon jugs right off the back of your boat.
If you have a fountain or aerator try and get close to it to allow the circulation
of the diffuser mixing to do the brunt of the work. Within 10 minutes you should
see a distinct mixing.
If you are applying into a pond on a windy day it
is a good idea to stand upwind and pour the dye at the upwind side of the pond.
This will allow the wind to push the dye throughout the pond.
No matter
how you apply it, when you put it into a large pond it can take up to 2 hours
to fully mix and longer if you don't have an aeratror. Be careful if you are applying
the concentrated liquid near a fountain as the fountain, if the dye gets too close
to the propeller intake, can throw very concentrated liquid into the air that
could splash into you and literally make you look like a spotted blue Smurf!
The use of any colorant should not be considered or seen as a cure-all that will
solve all of your pond problems, while it can greatly improve the general quality
of the water; as there will be less chance for bottom sediments to be reached
by sunlight thus inhibiting algae blooms, it should be one of the tools along
with natural bacteria and aeration that make a difference in your pond.
Keeping
it healthy and clean, and blue, is the goal and we want to help!
Email
us for algae information or with your questions.
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