Who's heard of this & does it work?

[maryland_ponder]

Microbe-Lift/AWP is specially formualted for pond winterization. It helps accelerate the decompostion of leaves, scum sediment, and other organic matter during the fall and winter months. Microbe-Lift will even provide sustained biological activity in water temperatures under 55 degrees F. It will continue to maintian a healthy immune system for your fish during the winter months and reduce buildup of dead leaves and organic sediment all winter long. It contains psychrophilic strains (cold weather bacteria) that will remain effective in darker conditions under ice and snow and, if frozen, remain effective after thawing out. The cellulase enzymes along with cellulase producing bacteria, are the key to accelerating the breakdown of leaves, organic sediment and sludge all winter long. Microbe-Lift/AWP will also help to jump start your pond to a healthier environment in the spring. It is harmless to humans, animals, fish, and plants.

Contents:
Microve-Lift/AWP is a two-part system. The package contians one quart of liquid bacteria and two 2oz of water soluble packets with a blend of cellulase enzymes, cellulase-producing bacteria and a cold weather bacteria. Shake well before using.

[koiczar]

M-P

No, I haven't heard of this line of product from Microbe-lift. I have however been using their regular product for several years and feel it does what it says. If I end up with a little turbidity in the water, I add the microbe-lift and within a day or two the turbidity is gone. Also adds beneficial bacteria to your system to help "jump start" going into spring. They also have a "sludge buster" bacteria which works well if the pond is really dirty, as in winter.

Now I will say this-why is the pond so dirty? IMHO, sounds like better winter maintenance of the system is in order. I've found that if I keep after the maple leaves during their "dropping period" I stay way ahead of the game all winter and my pond seems to come on line much quicker in Spring.

I would suggest you clean your pond as good as you can before adding this product, then add it. Anything you can do to reduce the amount of work it has to perform, the better it will perform and the more satisfied you'll be with the results.

Keep us posted on your results if you do decide to use it as we can all learn from efforts like this for future reference

Regards

Mike

[luke frisbee]

One of the Techies for them gave a "Seminar" at Koi America. didn't expect much, but came away feeling as though they might be legit...which isn't how I felt going in.
Then again there is a great unknown..."Whether the Hobbyist needs or knows how to use the product."

[maryland_ponder]

Quote: Originally Posted by koiczar M-P Now I will say this-why is the pond so dirty? IMHO, sounds like better winter maintenance of the system is in order. I've found that if I keep after the maple leaves during their "dropping period" I stay way ahead of the game all winter and my pond seems to come on line much quicker in Spring. I would suggest you clean your pond as good as you can before adding this product, then add it. Anything you can do to reduce the amount of work it has to perform, the better it will perform and the more satisfied you'll be with the results.

The pond has a lot of leaves it because its my fathers & he is an elderly man who cant spend too many hours at the other end of a dip net. I'm looking for ways to minimize what he cant deal with. Its been particularly windy this year for him & the leaves keep blowing into his pond. Its too large a pond to cover with netting so I'm trying to come up with some addtional ways to help him maintain it without giving him another heart attack.

[koiczar]

Sounds like a reasonable idea and thoughtful on your part. However, if your dad put as much effort into your adolescent years as mine did, maybe you could help repay the debt and assist with the pond cleaning effort. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to preach here, but sometimes just a little more compassion by siblings is appreciated more than you'll ever be told by the receiver.

[maryland_ponder]

I appreciate the suggestion & for the record I help him as much as i can. My father lives over 2 hours away & I am overcoming cancer & cant help as much as I'd like too. This isnt really a forum that i want to provide these kinds of explanations. What i asked was if this stuff worked or not. Its easy for people to assume that someone wants these types of things because of laziness. Further more I take offense to your inference that my father lacked effort in his child rearing skills. You seem to have made a rather pompous & assuming statement. Knowing ones situation or at least asking would be a much better way to find out the "why" of a posted question.

Quote: Originally Posted by koiczar Sounds like a reasonable idea and thoughtful on your part. However, if your dad put as much effort into your adolescent years as mine did, maybe you could help repay the debt and assist with the pond cleaning effort. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to preach here, but sometimes just a little more compassion by siblings is appreciated more than you'll ever be told by the receiver.

[mitten]

Maryland ponder-

Your explanation was helpful. Thanks. Knowing the size of the pond in question was helpful too. We don't know the conditions you are dealing with unless you tell us.

The misunderstanding was yours however. Koiczar is a Pops Grey Beard kinda guy and was only thinking that if you or your bros were to help out your Pop it would be nice, for everybody. He wasn't raggin on you at all. (Sorry, Koiczar, I know you are still young enough to do the Crane in Japan.)

One of my biggest regrets is that I didn't spend more good time with my Pop, you know after he was done coaching little league and then bailing me out and stuff. When he was a crabby, sick old guy. Hey! a mirror! I'm talking about me! the crabby sick old guy! Oh No! Grey beard is me!

Though I don't use these treatments, my impression is like Luke's, they seem to have helpful products evolved from real science. Good luck.

Mickey the windowman

[Russell Peters]

Maryland Ponder,

I know Koizcar very well and what he was implying was that your father did spend a lot of time with you, and that helping him would be the best thing. You are right though, you did not get an answer to your question.
If you do not take out most, if not all of the leaves from your father's pond, the product will not work. Microblift will not magically make the leaves diappear. If there were such a product available, then none of us would clean our ponds. It may accelerate the decomposition of the leaves but you will still have a huge mess if you don't clean out as many leaves as you can first.

Russ

[Arthur]

Ecological Labs' products are "legit".

This said, as Russ pointed out, they do not perform miracles :-(

Do read the label small print carefully. They are consequences that you must be aware of. The new and increased bacterial activity introduced into the pond will consume a lot of oxygen. They will also consume carbonates and may cause a pH crash in soft water.

Knowing the side effects, you can use the products safely.

[KoiCop]

there are no safe chemical fixes.

Lower the water level and hire some neighborhood kids -- or some non-skilled hourly labor -- to net the leaves out. You don't want to replace the existing problem with a toxic stew of chemicals and partially dissolved organics fermenting in the bottom of the pond.

For the long term, a judicious blend of tree trimming, netting and skimmers can help to minimize future problems. Good luck,