Independent test results (Test Number 1) and performance of Viresco
Two Blanketweed Control Trials using Viresco Koi were carried out Reported by Koi Ponds & Gardens" in September 2000 and again in "Koi Ponds & Gardens", August 2001
David Brown did the research in the Summer of 2000 in his 4000 gallon Koi pond. He used Viresco KOI.
David added Viresco KOI to his pond on June 26th 2000. The initial reading of nitrate was 80ppm and that of phosphate was 10ppm. Blanket weed was growing at approximately 2 feet (60cm) per day. Hard to believe but it's true.
David took daily readings of the nitrate and phosphate levels in the pond after
applying Viresco Koi. After 9 days the nitrate had dropped to nil and the
phosphate level had been reduced by 50% to 5ppm. You can see this in the graph
to the left.
Once the nitrate had dropped to zero, the blanket weed, growth of which had slowed dramatically, died. The nitrate remained at zero for 3 more months. At this stage David emptied his pond to rebuild it. Blanket weed remained absent for this 3 month period.
With respect to phosphate levels the graph shows that after 6 days, the phosphate reading rose slightly. David put this down to the introduction of some montmorillonite clay at that time. He tested the montmorillonite clay to find it contained a significant amount of phosphate.
For second independent test results carried out by Brooksby College on 6 different products click this link
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See prices and buy online at the Viresco UK store
Here's David Brown's Own Words On The Test
Koi Blanket weed is the bain of many koi keepers lives. If you have got it you will understand the frustration and constant work it causes, - if you haven't then you are very lucky. For the past few years I have always used chemical treatments to control the dreaded weed. Concerned about the constant use of chemicals, I was looking at alternatives. At the South Hants show I purchased a pack of Viresco Aqua and trialled it in one of my small ponds. Viresco Aqua is a blend of natural microorganisms that digest both Nitrate and Phosphate the primary food source for blanket weed. The instructions recommend that the UV be turned off during treatment. Within two weeks growth slowed and I was left with a very manageable small growth of weed on the sides. After this encouraging result I decided to put it to a proper test in my main pond. To validate any effects I performed tests daily for both nitrate and phosphate. I was somewhat concerned that my initial nitrate level of 80ppm was very high, and my phosphate level of 10ppm was "off the scale" After 10 days the nitrate level was zero, and growth had slowed from approximately 2 feet per day to virtually nothing. The phosphate took longer to reduce, but slowly began to decrease. Unfortunately my holiday coincided with the test, and on my return home I immediately went out to check the pond. The weed was brown, most was dead and had stopped growing. At the time of writing it is now some 6 weeks since I first added it to my pond. The dreaded weed has stopped growing. I have a coating of weed about 1" long on the pond wall, which the fish enjoy browsing, but absolutely no weed on the pond bottom. John McLaughlin recommends adding a maintenance dose at approximately 1/3 of the original dose. The absence of weed has some further benefits, less waste gets caught in the weed, so water clarity improves, and the time spent removing the weed can be spent enjoying your fish as it should be. Reduction in high nitrate levels can make your fish less lethargic and keener to feed. Viresco is available in two types: Viresco Koi, which contains solely the bacteria that consume nitrate and phosphate and Viresco Aqua, which also contains bacteria to degrade fish waste. Both these products are 100% organic. This product has solved the weed problem for me and I shall continue to use it on an ongoing basis. If trying for the first time I suggest that you test your water for nitrate and phosphate regularly to check the reduction in levels.
The Nitrification Cycle ... ammonia to nitrite to nitrate and when anaerobic to nitrogen The Nitrification Cycle In Fish Ponds or How Ammonia Is Converted To Nitrates. Much of this site is about Viresco and it's ability to remove algae and blanketweed it is important to understand what happens in a fish pond day in and day ouworthwhile looking at the problem from a different perspective...
Organic waste treatment in ponds and how Viresco algae products helps solve the ulcer problem too Organic Waste In Fish Ponds and Microbial waste Digestion. Keep The Bottom Of Your Pond Nice and Clean. For most garden fish pond keepers even when the water is crystal clear and there is no blanket weed present there remains one annoying problem....