ULTRACLEAR BIOLOGICAL POND CLARIFIER
Poor clarity, aquatic weeds, organic sediment, and foul odors detract from a pond's natural beauty. Fertilizer run-off, fish and wildlife droppings, and dead leaves and grass clippings contribute to these problems. UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier improves clarity, cleans the water, reduces organic build-up, and removes odors. UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier restores aquatic systems to natural health and beauty.
UltraClear is the environmentally friendly way to beautify your ponds and fountains. UltraClear works naturally and actually benefits the environment. UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier is 100% safe for fish, wildlife, and turf. UltraClear Biological Pond clarifier will not harm fish or other wildlife that are in your pond or use your pond. And, UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier is easy to use. Simply shake well and pour straight from the bottle according to the dosage instructions.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN APPLICATIONS OF BIOLOGICAL POND CLARIFIER?
There are three main applications:
- Spring Prep
- General Pond Maintenance
- Treating Problem Ponds
During Spring Prep (pond start-up), the main objective is to rapidly establish a healthy population of bacteria to 'cycle' the pond. Fish excrete ammonia, which can be toxic at very low levels. When bacteria cycle, it means they successfully oxidize ammonia (NH3) to nitrite (NO2), then to relatively non-toxic nitrate (NO3). Other bacteria can then convert nitrate into nitrogen gas in a process called denitrification. Use of Biological Pond Clarifier for Spring Prep prevents build-up of toxic ammonia and nitrite, making your pond a healthy place for fish.
As the summer proceeds, Biological Pond Clarifier serves its main function: maintaining your pond's beauty and clarity. This is probably the most common and important use of the product. Following the Maintenance program will prevent most common pond problems from occurring.
Finally, Biological Pond Clarifier can be used to solve most pond problems. Even when a problem already exists (poor clarity, odors, etc.) regular strength Biological Pond Clarifier will usual solve the problem. Dosage procedures for each of these three main applications follow.
HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED FOR TREATMENT?
For each of the three main applications (Spring Prep, General Maintenance, and Problem Ponds), UltraClear dose is based on the volume of the water to be treated. The table below gives the dose in both gallons and cubic feet. If you know how many gallons of water you have, use that figure to determine the dose.
If you do not know how many gallons are in your pond, estimate the cubic feet of water as follows: Multiply the approximate average LENGTH times the average WIDTH times the average DEPTH (use FEET for all dimensions). Or, click here to Auto Calculate the volume and gallons in your pond.
Example: Assume a pond of average LENGTH=22 FT., average WIDTH=16 ft., and average DEPTH=3 ft. The volume of the pond is 22 x 16 x 3 =1,056 cubic feet. Use the following chart to determine the dosage.
| Gallons | Cubic Feet | UltraClear Dose |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2,500 | Up to 335 | 1 |
| 2,500 to 5,000 | 335 to 670 | 2 |
| 5,000 to 10,000 | 670 to 1,340 | 4 |
| 10,000 to 20,000 | 1,340 to 2,675 | 8 |
| 20,000 to 40,000 | 2,675 to 5,350 | 16 |
Once you have determined the volume of your pond and used the chart above for the appropriate dose, the frequency of dose is based on the application.
Spring Prep. Dose according to the chart for three consecutive days, then revert to the maintenance dose (once a week, or as needed). Use the Spring Prep dose at the beginning of the pond season, or whenever you are adding significant numbers of animals, plants, or other features to your pond.
The General Pond Maintenance. Dose according to the chart once a week, or as needed. General Pond Maintenance can be started at any time. In most cases, best results are obtained with once a week doses, though some ponds may require treatment as infrequently as once a month.
Problem Ponds. If the pond is experiencing severe clarity problems, bad odors, or other signs of nutrient imbalance, then use the Problem Pond dose. Simply dose 2 or 3 times per week until the problem is solved, then revert to the maintenance dose.
For very large ponds (where volume exceeds the dose chart above), or for very severe problems, use UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier-Professional Strength.
What are the main benefits of using UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier?
UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier improves removes toxic ammonia and nitrite, improves water clarity and purity, and helps to reduce organic sediment (Note: when a pond receives significant organic influx, such as leaves, clippings, animal fecal waste, etc., use UltraClear Sludge Digester along with Biological Pond Clarifier). The net result of the use of UltraClear is a clear, beautiful, and naturally healthy pond.
How does Ultra Clear Biological Pond Clarifier work?
UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier consists of 100% natural, completely safe, soil bacteria. The bacteria in Biological Pond Clarifier consist of two main classes, chemolithotrophic and heterotrophic.
The first class, called nitrifying bacteria, oxidize ammonia (NH3) to nitrite (NO2), then to nitrate (NO3). These bacteria also consume large amounts of phosphate. These bacteria are chemolithotrophic. This class of bacteria requires an aerobic zone (meaning a zone with sufficient dissolved oxygen).
The second class of bacteria in UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier digest organic sediment and dissolved organic carbon. Plus, these bacteria convert nitrate into completely non-toxic nitrogen gas. These bacteria are heterotrophic. This class of bacteria is also facultative, meaning that they function in an aerobic or anaerobic zone. This is important since many ponds have anaerobic zones where organic sludge builds-up and the dissolved oxygen level is no significant. By converting ammonia to nitrite then nitrate, converting nitrate to nitrogen gas, and rapidly consuming phosphate, UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier reduces specific sources of nutrients that promote undesirable clarity problems.
DOES ULTRA CLEAR NEED REFRIGERATION?
No. Simply store UltraClear at room temperature. Do not store for prolonged periods above 100 degrees F. Ideally, store at 40 to 80 degrees F. Do not allow the product to freeze. Freezing will damage or kill 50% or more of the beneficial UltraClear bacteria.
WHAT IS THE SHELF LIFE OF ULTRACLEAR?
As long as the bottle is unopened and stored in a room without extreme temperature fluctuations, Ultra Clear has a 2-year shelf life. Once the bottle is opened, the product is good for one year from that time if stored in a refrigerated environment. Remember to replace and secure the bottle cap after each UltraClear application.
WHY IS ULTRA CLEAR SAFE TO USE?
Ultra Clear Biological Pond Clarifier is not a chemical. Ultra Clear is not a poison. UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier bacteria are non-toxic, non-pathogenic, completely natural, and are safe for all fish and wildlife.
The bacteria included in UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier are recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) as Biosafety Level 1 bacteria. CDC and ATCC give the following definition of Biosafety Level 1 bacteria:
'ATCC cultures and related products are classified by biosafety level (BSL) in an effort to provide guidance to the user on potential risk. The classification is based on assessment of the potential risk using U.S. Public Health Service guidelines, with assistance provided by ATCC scientific advisory committees. Those items in BSL-1 have no known potential to cause disease in humans or animals.'
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO APPLY ULTRACLEAR BIOLOGICAL POND CLARIFIER?
Of course, it depends on the specific application. For Spring Prep, begin application as soon as spring weather begins, and the average daytime temperature is 50 F or above.
The General Pond Maintenance dose should just follow Spring Prep. The main purpose of General Pond Maintenance is to optimize the beauty and clarity of the pond, and to prevent common pond problems. Begin this program before you develop problems.
Of course, pond problems often begin suddenly, and with little warning. Or, unusually high temperatures or sunlight intensity may cause problems regardless of your best efforts. In such cases, begin the Problem Pond dose immediately. Generally one to four weeks of Problem Pond dosing will be enough to restore the pond to balance. At that time, simply revert to the General Maintenance Dose.
It is always better to apply UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier before a problem starts. In regions with warm weather all year, apply the Biological Pond Clarifier all year long to maintain pond clarity. In seasonal climates, begin application once the average daytime temperature exceeds 50 degrees F and the temperature is rising. Stop treatment when the weather turns cold at the end of the season. This is an ideal point to apply the Fall Clean-Up dose of UltraClear Sludge Digester.
WILL ULTRACLEAR BIOLOGICAL POND CLARIFIER HARM FISH OR WILDLIFE?
NO! UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier is not only safe for fish and wildlife, but is actually beneficial! Commercial fish farmers have used UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier for over ten years. Fish excrete ammonia, which when confined to a small pond, is toxic to fish. The UC Biological Pond Clarifier rapidly removes ammonia and nitrite, improving fish health dramatically. The Biological Pond Clarifier also digests organic material such as droppings from fish and wildlife. This eliminates the preferred habitat of dangerous anaerobic bacteria and reduces fish disease!
IS ULTRACLEAR BIOLOGICAL POND CLARIFIER HARMFUL TO HUMANS OR PETS?
Absolutely not! UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier bacteria are completely safe, non-toxic, and non pathogenic. UltraClear bacteria simply augment and provide better balance to the many types of bacteria found naturally in your pond. UltraClear is not to be added to drinking water. WARNING: DO NOT DRINK water with UltraClear in it.
CAN I USE ULTRACLEAR IN A POTABLE WATER SUPPLY?
NO! UltraClear is safe for non-potable water, such as for cleaning. However, do not use UltraClear in your drinking water supply! Always follow federal, state, and local potable water guidelines.
ULTRACLEAR SAFE FOR TURF AND AQUATIC PLANTS?
Yes! UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier will not harm turf or aquatic plants. The better aquatic environment resulting from UltraClear use will minimize pathogens and promote growth of healthy, disease-free aquatic plants.
WHERE CAN YOU BUY REGULAR STRENGTH ULTRA CLEAR?
UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier is distributed by garden centers, water garden centers, pet stores, landscaping firms and hardware stores. Contact or visit your local gardening center if you have a pond and you want to use UltraClear Biological Pond Clarifier. Contact ABI if you need assistance in finding a retailer near you that carries UltraClear. UltraClear is not distributed through national discount retailers such as Wal-Mart, Lowes or Home Depot.