Have you ever heard people talk about pond probiotics? Maybe you have, and maybe you haven’t. For those select people who are fortunate enough to know of pond probiotic and its benefits, I’m comfortable saying there are very few who really know what that probiotic is, and how it works. In order to go about confidently and successfully managing a pond or lake, it is important to understand a ilttle bit of science behind what you’re doing. This way you know why you’re doing what you’re doing, and how it will affect the overall pond ecosystem.
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 who haven’t taken the time to brush up on any sort of biology lately, this may seem like the opposite of “demystifying.” Luckily, I am going to try and explain this mystical “probiotic” without the use of terms like bifidobacteria and bacilli. Many people don’t realize it at first, but the idea behind using probiotic to help digest excess pond nutrient and eradicate pond algae is actually very relatable and understandable.
In reference to the definition above, the probiotics are obviously the “live microorganisms,” while any pond or lake into which they are being administered can be considered the “host.” Even though water bodies do not live in the same sense that an animal lives and breathes, they are still living ecosystems that can have their health adversely affected by a number of factors. For a frame of reference, these adverse affects can happen similarly to the way a human is affected by a flu bug. In the case of an algae-covered or near eutrophic body of water, the excess algae-forming nutrients are the equivalent of that flu bug. The same way a virus spreads through the human body, these excess nutrients fuel algae growth and allow it to spread dangerously, compromising the health of your pond with each day that it’s allowed to expand over the surface. These nutrients are often 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.)
Due to a variety of factors, there are simply times when the decomposing bacteria that naturally exist in ponds and lakes 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.
Again, this concept can be related 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, which usually comes in the form of medication. The drugs, accompanied by antibodies that exist in your body naturally, work together to fight off the ailment. Eventually this tag-team effort will overcome the ailment, and should allow your body to become healthy again.
The same concept is true for aquatic environments, 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 prescribed in the same way. Pond probiotic is a collection of bacteria and enzymes specifically bred and cultured with one purpose: to digest the organic matter that fuels algae growth. Over time, the combination of the water’s natural decomposing bacteria and the probiotics, which are specifically targeting excess nutrients, the ecosystem can be restored to a healthy balance.
Just as the definition from FAO/WHO indicates, when probiotic is added to the host (AKA: algae-covered ponds and lakes), 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 as a result there is a decrease in overall algae coverage along with an increase in overall aquatic ecosystem health. From this point the benefits continue to compound as less algae coverage means that the sun will be able to penetrate the surface, which allows for plant photosynthesis. Regular photosynthesizing yields a higher dissolved oxygen content, which leads to healthier fish, less obnoxious pond odor, and overall a much healthier, happier aquatic ecosystem.
At the heart of the concept, it’s all biology, regardless of the situation. It doesn’t matter that one scenario is in reference to personal human health and the other to ponds and lakes. The same biological concepts and ideas apply to each situation.
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 the algae-forming nutrients.
Second Note: One final reason that it is truly important to understand the benefits of pond probiotic is that it is a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to copper sulfate and other algaecides and herbicides. Chemicals such as these are toxic chemicals (poisons, essentially) that decimate entire ecosystems in an attempt to eradicate algae growth. It should be known that this technique is detrimental not only to the water body where it is applied, but also to any rivers, lakes, streams, or oceans to which it eventually runs. It lowers dissolved oxygen levels, kills fish, and is a leading cause of eutrophciation and “dead ecosystems” across the world. Go green – manage your ponds and lakes the right way. Do not hesitate to take action, and learn more about the dangers of copper sulfate.