Viresco™ Aqua

For Suppressing Blanket Weed And Algae Blooms In Ponds

Background to Viresco™ Aqua
Viresco™ Aqua was initially formulated for use on commercial fish farms to improve the growth and health of fish and reduce the disease potential. There are two separate groups of micro-organisms in Viresco™ Aqua. One group is designed to effect rapid water clarification. This is done by efficient microbial reduction of the soluble nutrient level in the water. Blanketweed and green algal blooms are rapidly suppressed, as they no longer have a food supply. The other part of the formulation gives an efficient biodigestion of the organic detritus on the walls and bottoms of ponds.
The amount of Viresco™ Aqua required for pond treatment is usually about 10g per 6000 gallons of water. (6000 gallons is equivalent to 27m3.) Viresco™ Aqua is harmless to fish and plants and it can be over-dosed with no problems. As an example, one customer has applied in one dose, for four successive years, a 10g pack to his 1000 gallon pond! It is important to have enough oxygen in the water when Viresco™ is used as it contains aerobic micro-organisms. If it is used in a pond without sufficient oxygen, its effectiveness will be reduced. ( Use an Oxygen Test Kit) It could also deprive fish of oxygen. If there is any doubt about the oxygen levels then add an air pump and start with a reduced application, remember to watch the fish carefully. Then continue to add the full amount over a few days. If the fish move to the surface, they are not receiving enough oxygen and extra aeration will be required immediately.

Pond volume calculation:
(Metric Meters) Length * Width * Depth * 1000 = Liters.
(Imperial Feet) Length * Width * Depth * 6.23 = Gallons.

Extra Information:

Many pondkeepers build a pond and then install a filter that has excess capacity for that pond. They then increase the fish stocking level, knowing that the filter is capable of processing the increased amounts of ammonia excreted by the larger numbers of fish. Where this situation applies, larger doses of Viresco™ are required as the microbes in Viresco™ work on the amount of nitrate coming into the pond from the filter. Overstocking of fish and more than generous feeding means more ammonia, more nitrite and therefore more nitrate. A good yardstick is if there are more than about 60 inches length of fish per 1000 gallons of pond water, then double dose with Viresco™ Aqua.

Method of Use
Viresco™ Aqua powder should be added to a limited amount of pond water and dissolved. Once the powder is in solution, it should be aerated by whisking or using an air stone. Leave for a few hours inside a garage or house away from direct light. It is recommended that the mixing takes place in the morning and the solution, bulked up with more pond water, added to the pond in the evening. Pour the solution into the pond at points all around.

The microbes in the powder have a very long shelf life - many years - if kept dry. There is a tendency for the product to go crusty in the pack. This is not a problem.

Quantity to Use and Frequency of Use
Our recommended rate of use is normally enough to clear blanket weed. However, as mentioned above, there are occasions when further amounts of Viresco™ are required. These usually relate to over stocking of fish and more than generous feeding. It is recommended that nitrate tests be done when Viresco™ Aqua is used. Do a test immediately before the Viresco™ is applied and repeat at approximately weekly intervals. This should show that the nitrate level is dropping and the microbes in the product are working. If little change is seen in the blanketweed within about 3 weeks then a second application of Viresco™ Aqua is recommended. When the blanketweed has disappeared, it makes sense to add top-up amounts of Viresco™ Aqua. This should be, ,one quater rate every 3 or 4 weeks. Although it may last for longer periods depending on the pond it’s self, level of planting and other factors.

Use of Viresco™ Aqua in association with Chemicals and UV lights.
It is important not to use Viresco™ Aqua in the presence of disinfecting type chemicals. These would include malachite green, formalin, potassium permanganate etc as well as some proprietary medications. It is worth checking with the manufacturer of such products their effect on micro-organisms - as a rule of thumb, any product that knocks back the microbes in the filters will also make ineffective the microbes in Viresco™ Aqua. Leave a long enough gap between disinfectant treatment and the application of Viresco™ Aqua. Initially we recommended that UV lights should be turned off prior to applying Viresco™ Aqua and kept off for about 7 to 10 days..

Please Note this information is supplied with the Viresco Product.