Muck: Removing Sludge & Pond Muck

Reduce and remove muck from ponds using muck removal pellets and muck eating bacteria
So many of our clients have wonderful ponds on their properties or have a lakeshore property on the edge of a lovely lake. Slowly, year after year, a common problem is the accumulation of muck and silt. This muck can make swimming unpleasant and wading into the pond or lake as inviting as trying to salvage a wristwatch that has accidentally fell into the outhouse dry toilet pit!

Kids don't want to swim, the muck is thick and stinks....what happened to my lakeshore? Why is my beach now a place mainly for insects and birds?

Removing sludge and muck from ponds and lakes can be time consuming and expensive. Traditional methods like dredging, pond excavation or suction harvesting are expensive and can cause significant physical intrusion to aquatic systems and wildlife. Using specifically designed muck removal bacteria and enzymes can reduce muck, silt and sludge at a fraction of the cost.

Pond Muck Pellets
Pond Muck Pellets are the newest and fastest way to eat up bottom sludge. Unlike traditional bacteria which spreads throughout the water column and mainly focuses on nutrient reduction to remove algae and clear up green water, the pond muck pellets sink into the muck where they are scattered and start devouring muck on a localized area.

All of the muck eating bacteria and enzymes stay right where they sink and chew up the muck around them so nothing is washed away. You will be treating only your beach or shoreline or pond not the entire lake or your neighbors (but you could if you wanted to!)

MUCK BLOCKS

A potent blend of micronutrients for lake and pond treatment. pellets have a slow release and sink down into the muck to deliver essential biostimulants, activated barley and bacteria.

They penetrate and degrade your pond muck and sludge by stimulating existing bacteria and by adding sludge-eating cultures. Format: 30 pound pail Easy to apply. You can treat the entire pond or only in the areas that muck tends to accumulate.

Dosage Rates
Traditional Dose: Feed 10-lb to 25-lb per surface-acre once per month depending on depth of muck or extent of surface debris.
Super Dose: For ponds or lakes where they would like to degrade up to 1 foot per month. Feed 50 to 60 lbs per acre once per month.
Temperature Range: Works best when water temperature is 60° F (17°C) to 130°F (54°C). The warmer it is the faster they reproduce and digest sludge.

Muck & Sludge Removal Pellets
Price Includes USA Shipping
Professional Pond Muck Pellets safely reduce muck and sludge from ponds and lakes of all sizes and muck from swimming areas.

Application Rates:
To remove muck in a large pond or lake, to provide a complete treatment, broadcast the pellets evenly at a rate of 125 pounds per surface acre. Apply between two and four times per year depending on problems and desired rate of muck reduction. In smaller ponds apply approximately 3 pounds per 1000 square feet of surface area.
Ponds & Lakes: 125 pounds per surface acre (44,000 square feet) per month.
Small Ponds: 3 pounds per 1000 square feet per week. Other formats available here

Muck Reduction Products on Amazon

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Muck Assault
Muck Assault Pond Sludge & Muck Remover Pellets - Natural Pond Muck Digester with Beneficial Bacteria Enzymes to Clear Murky Water and Remove Pond Odor - Safe for Aquatic Life & Recreation

Lake & Pond Muck Pellets
This is a professional grade pellet that controls muck and sludge build up on the bottom of your pond or lake. Eliminates odors and muck around swimming areas, boat docks, beaches and other high use areas.

Muck Pucks
Pond Muck and Sludge Remover: Kasco’s Macro-Zyme Muck Pucks pond equipment is the perfect choice to control and eliminate sluge and foul odors in tanks, ponds, and lakes.

Pond Sludge Remover
Our gradual-release pellets sink to the bottom of your pond and dissolve, slowly releasing concentrated enzymes & bacteria that digest organic waste and eat away at the muck layer, up to 2 inches per month!

These professional-grade pond pellets biodegradable pellets contain sludge-eating bacteria, enzymes and trace minerals to not only get rid of the muck but also to enhance the quality of water. Product is completely safe for fish, frogs, pets, birds and humans; use with complete confidence that your pond or lake is being properly taken care of without harmful chemicals. These professional pellets naturally eliminate that disgusting odor-causing muck on beaches that sticks to your feet and makes swimming unpleasant.

Spot treat your swimming areas today and a clean beach and shoreline will be yours tomorrow. These pellets are easy to use and are Ideal for campsites, recreational parks, private beaches or anywhere that a natural clean pond bottom is required. Using the professional pellets means you can easily reduce sludge levels in ponds and lakes without the use of heavy equipment.

Typically you will see reductions of 5 inches per year of organic muck and sludge sediments. This can be increased with higher application rates and the addition of aeration and complementary bio-augmentation. Unlike some other pellets these professional ORB-3 pellets have no gypsum fill so you only pay for active ingredients for optimum results.

Spot Treatments
To remove muck from beaches, in swimming areas around piers or docks or floating docks or in any problem area in the pond or lake that suffers from an accumulation of muck, organic silt and sludge. 8 pounds per week for the first 4 weeks 2 pounds every two weeks as needed

For Large Pond and Lakes
To remove muck in a large pond or lake, to provide a complete treatment, broadcast the pellets evenly at a rate of 125 pounds per surface acre. Apply between two and four times per year depending on problems and desired rate of muck reduction. In smaller ponds apply approximately 3 pounds per 1000 square feet of surface area.
* Aeration enhances the product performance. Contact us by email with any questions.

• Biodegradable pellets that are self-sinking

• Muck eating pellets start eating muck and pond sludge on contact

• Application rates depend on size of area being treated (see below)

• Broadcast pellets on area being treated and pellets sink and begin removing muck

• Can be used for large ponds and lakes or for spot treatment around beaches or swimming areas

• Cheaper than dredging or vacuuming the pond sludge

These pond muck removal pellets were designed for lagoons, lakes and ponds as a low-maintenance solution for sludge bed and solids removal, water clarity and beach cleanup. Great Lakes Bio Systems have designed the Orb-3 Professional Pellets to be fortified with specialized bacterial strains that are high volume waste consumers of muck and organic matter.

These pellets have a broad trace mineral base and an organic catalyst to increase the productivity of the beneficial bacteria in each pellet. The pellet itself was specially designed to drive the active ingredients down to the sludge so the dose is not immediately consumed by the water column.

These Professional Pellets combination of natural technologies is a simple cost-effective method for continuous sludge management. This product cannot ship to Canada.

Adding aeration to your pond or lake enhances the natural ability of your pond to avoid the buildup of organic muck and sludge. To learn more about how aeration can help stop the buildup of muck and sludge see our pond aeration page.

Digest 2" of Muck Per Month
Bioostimulants, activated barley and bacteria

Retention Ponds: Retention ponds start out nice and beautiful and after a few years they become loaded with floating organic matter and muck. MD Pellets are an easy way to help balance them out and reduce muck.

These pellets will also work well in retention ponds that may have a lot of road salt. A biologically cleaned pond is a happy pond. A mechanically cleaned pond can often be unhappy for some time as it tries to find biological balance.

Golf Courses: Golf courses can get a lot of muck due to runoff, high nutrient loadings, and leaf and grass waste. MD Pellets are an easy and affordable way to keep golf course ponds free of muck and more importantly to help keep them biologically balanced.

Shorelines: Used by homeowners to reduce muck around the shoreline. Just sprinkle some pellets around a dock once a month and let them sink into the muck. Month by month the lake bottom will clean up. Many customers have called them little vacuum cleaners as they see the muck reduce.

Aquaculture: Used to degrade fish poop that accumulates in the bottom of a pond. MD Pellets have proven to be economical and efficient for fish farmers who want to minimize muck accumulation as an alternative to dredging.

Benefits
Consumes nutrients Reduce up to 70% of sludge and muck Lowers ammonia Clarifies water Balances ponds

Reduces dredging The pellets are a dense product designed to be “tossed in” and sink to the bottom. When they sink into the muck the bacteria produce enzymes that speed up the breakdown of organic waste. Some customers have expressed success breaking down sycamore leaf debris in their lakes and ponds using MD Pellets. They contain safe and beneficial bacteria, and will not harm aquatic species, fish, waterfowl, or people. This product will also reduce sulfide and mercaptan odors found in muck.

Pond Diffusers

Pond Compressors

Algae Control

Pond Bacteria

Aeration Systems

Liquid Bacteria Assisting Muck & Algae Control

The product contains several strains of naturally occurring beneficial bacteria ideal for breaking down and digesting waste commonly found in pond environments to naturally keep ponds clean, clear and healthy all year long,

Works in water temperatures down to 45° F, allowing one product to work in Spring, Summer and Fall
Removes ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates and sludge
Improves water clarity
Effective results without the smell
Maintains a healthy, balanced ecosystem and reduces pond maintenance

All SeasonLiquid beneficial bacteria mixes are popular for there ease of use and rapid results. Our best results come from All Season liquid beneficial bacteria because the safe mix contains several strains of naturally occurring beneficial bacteria ideal for breaking down and digesting waste commonly found in pond environments to naturally keep ponds clean, clear and healthy all year long. this highly rated liquid beneficial bacteria additive is ideal for koi ponds, water gardens, fish ponds and lakes. All Season Pond Bacteria contains several strains of naturally occurring beneficial bacteria ideal for breaking down and digesting waste commonly found in pond environments to naturally keep ponds clean, clear and health all year long. This liquid beneficial bacteria mixture is:

All-natural
Breaks down organic sludge like leaves, dead plants, fish droppings, fish food, and excess fertilizer
Creates a clean, clear pond
Reduces odors
Easy to use
Safe for fish, plants, pets and people

Application Rates & Dosages: Initial Spring Dose or Shock Treatment: Add 2 gallons All Season Liquid Bacteria per 100,000 gallons of pond volume.
Maintenance Dose: Add 1 gallon All Season Liquid Bacteria per 100,000 gallons of pond volume.
Frequency: Apply every 2 - 4 weeks as needed, Aerated ponds require less All Season Bacteria.

Note: Ponds currently on regular bacteria programs or not showing signs of problems may begin with the Maintenance Dose. This is a Green Source product meaning it contains all natural, "green" ingredients that are non-toxic, biodegradeable and eco friendly.
Some interesting links about pond muck and lake muck removal

Your Best Bet for Muck Removal is on our Amazon Network

Lake & Pond Muck Pellets
This is a professional grade pellet that controls muck and sludge build up on the bottom of your pond or lake. Eliminates odors and muck around swimming areas, boat docks, beaches and other high use areas.

Muck Pucks
Pond Muck and Sludge Remover: Kasco’s Macro-Zyme Muck Pucks pond equipment is the perfect choice to control and eliminate sluge and foul odors in tanks, ponds, and lakes.

Pond Sludge Remover
Our gradual-release pellets sink to the bottom of your pond and dissolve, slowly releasing concentrated enzymes & bacteria that digest organic waste and eat away at the muck layer, up to 2 inches per month!

1. "The MuckMat creates a firm surface on your lake bottom that is easy to walk on. Once the MuckMat has been placed in the water, an immediate change is visible. Individuals who walk on the MuckMat will find that they no longer sink into the sand. Instead, they can walk across the area with ease. The MuckMat provides a supportive barrier between an individual and the mucky lake floor. Meanwhile, the MuckMat also disperses the individual’s weight to prevent them from sinking into the muck. It’s a great combination that uses simple scientific facts to create a solution to your muck problems and it is an affordable, effective and safe alternative to costly lake muck removal services." GoodbyeToMuck.com https://www.goodbyetomuck.com/products/muckmat

2. "Destratification is a process in which the air or water is mixed in order to eliminate stratified layers of temperature, plant, or animal life. The first example of destratification was in 1919, in a small resorvoir.[1] A pond's condition deteriorates when the bottom environment cannot support animal life. The bottom is the area that runs out of oxygen first, it is where the most oxygen is used, and it is the farthest from the surface where it is replenished. Without oxygen a lake or ponds self-purification capability is not only reduced, it is reversed. The small animals, snails, worms, bacteria, etc., which help keep a pond clean cannot live, and the pond's nutrients are then recycled from the sediment. This forms a layer of muck at the bottom which serves as a fertilizer for weed and excessive algae growth. It can also cause large fish kills. " From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destratification

3. "Excavate Get rid of sludge and muck on the bottom of your pond. Excavate This alternative to mechanical dredging is better for your pond, less expensive, and more effective, long term. Excavate is the most economical way to remove deep sludge deposits and muck from your pond or lake. Ultra concentrated for more effective results Consumes 6 inches of muck at the bottom of your pond in 30-90 days with proper application Keeps irrigation equipment free and clear of muck Proper aeration is highly recommended On average 22 lbs. treats 1/4 acre *This product is not meant as a do it yourself version and no guarantees can be made without professional analysis of the pond. For larger projects or commercial projects, Sanco offers a guarantee to remove 6 inches when Sanco Industries professionally applies. If you would like our professional applicators to grid, measure, and apply your Excavate contact Sanco. " Sanco Industries Inc http://www.sancoind.com/products/excavate

4. "Is your pond muck out of control? Is it time for a pond cleaning but you just can’t figure out how to accomplish it? Often times pond muck and lake sediment are the result of millions of tiny clay particles that are in a “colloidal suspension”. How can you tell if your pond has colloidal clay particle suspension, if it is just muddy from rain and runoff, or if you have dead organic vegetation built up over the years? Step 1. Take a 2-3 gallon sample of water from the pond or lake. Step 2. Get an empty 5 gallon bucket and put a cloth (we find an old t-shirt works quite well) over the top to use as a filter. Step 3. Pour the cloudy, mucky water from the full bucket onto the cloth covering the empty bucket. If the water goes through the filter and the cloudiness is filtered out, you most likely have dead organic vegetation. Dead vegetation can be broken down by raking and turning up the sediment and “muck” at the bottom on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. You can also use a beneficial pond bacteria product to speed up the biodegradation of the dead weeds, algae and leaves that have built up over the years. (Note: beneficial bacterial and aquatic weed killers may counteract each other.) ."
Aquacide Company http://info.killlakeweeds.com/blog/bid/115704/Pond-Muck-Removal-and-3-Methods-that-Help

5. "In the bowl area live the anaerobic bacteria, which cannot decompose the incoming matter quickly enough. This bacterial war rages on and the fallout is methane, sulfur dioxide, phosphates, and other toxic gases saturating into the water column reducing oxygenated water for fish and other aquatic species. This MUCK is nutrient rich and creates a deteriorating cycle. In essence, instead of the aerobic bacteria feeding the planktonic kingdom, and continuing a natural, healthy food chain, the anaerobic bacteria disrupts this natural process and feeds the plant kingdom, increasing algae and weed growth and suffocating the pond. Natural springs and aerators help, but eventually even they lose ground to this natural process. We at SRS use a hydraulic method of pumping the MUCK, from the bowl areas. It is an extremely clean and cost-effective way of removing the sludge and toxic gases without the use of heavy equipment. It also does not interfere with the existing wild and aquatic life, which presently inhabit the pond.

Once the bowl areas are cleaned to their original bottom, the toxic gases are removed with the MUCK, greatly enhancing the water clarity and quality giving your pond a fresh new start as it was in the very beginning. Due to the high volume of sediments removed per day, we will require a discharge area on site to discharge the sediments to, such as a wooded area or fields that flow away from the pond. The sediments will not mound up, but will flow and seek its own gravitational level. It is excellent fertilizer and will not harm grasslands or wooded areas. The pump used can reach 200 feet into a pond and discharge back up to 2,000 feet, depending on elevation and grade. For those of you who do not have an adequate discharge area, there is an alternate way to contain the muck. We are having remarkable success cleaning ponds in this manner and are sure we can be a valuable service to you. Please contact us with any questions you may have. ."
Sediment Removal Solutions : http://www.sedimentremovalsolutions.com/

FYI
BactaPur products are no longer available

Bacta-Pur® Sludgebusters
Bacta-Pur® Sludgebusters is effective at biodegrading waste and sludge waste buildups that accumulate on the bottom of ponds, water-gardens and lakes. The sludge layer, which can have a sulfur smell or a thick rancid odor like a musty organic fart, can result from a buildup of fish food that has been uneaten by koi or trout or any fish as well as leaves from trees that lose their leaves after the Autumn Solstice.

This decomposing waste material from uneaten food, leaves and fish and bird poop can accumulate and turn into a black thick sludge that can cause the clogging of pumps, filters and pond pumps! These decomposing nutrients and resulting chemical buildups can produce noxious odors and even toxic gases that could cause fish-kills or other problems! Using Bacta-Pur Sludgebusters will enable you to biodegrade these wastes and compounds which, when used properly and regularly, will result in less pollution, less ammonia, stress and diseases!

Pond owners know that there are two common forms of algae that are bound to show their mucky green faces at one time or another in the life of a pond. Often a pond will suffer bouts with algae many times during a season. While there are chemicals to help knockdown algae my approach is to use natural methods of algae control.

When you are doing an end of season cold-water treatment with the XLG to help remove leaves that have fallen in to the pond or lake I recommend about 2 gallons for every surface acre of the XLG followed by another treatment two or three weeks later. So if you have a pond of 1 acre I would treat with 2 gallons as soon as the water temperature reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit or around 5 degrees Celsius and then follow up with an equal application two or 3 weeks later.

This regime would be repeated in the Spring. As soon as the ice has gone, if you have ice in your location, do a shock-treatment with 2 gallons per surface acre. Follow the initial treatment with an equal-size application in two weeks. This is an ideal shock treatment! The cultures in this natural pond bacteria do an incredible job of keeping waters clear and reducing the muck buildup at the bottom. This is the bacteria that has been so successful in doing what they call "bio-dredging" where the use of microbes has replaced the mechanical digging and removal of pond and lake sediments. This bacterial mixture comes with activators which should be added, mixed and activated according to the directions. If you have any questions on the application of liquid bacteria please email us.

Bacta-Pur® XLG
Bacta-Pur® XLG contains 16 strains of natural, pathogen-free bacteria specifically designed for decomposing organic sediments in ponds. This is what we often call muck or sludge. The voracious organic bacteria in XLG literally consume all organic materials in ponds and are a key tool when we are attempting to reestablish depth in a pond that has an unwanted accumulation of muck and smelly sludge at the bottom.

Bacta-Pur® XLG is an ideal bacteria in colder waters and we often use it in tandem with a dry bacteria that has certain temperature parameters that must be respected because the XLG can be added to any water body at any temperature as long as there is not any ice covering the pond.

I often treat the ponds I am taking care of with a dosage of XLG in the Autumn and in the Spring. In a way a pond is like a swimming pool because shock treatment at the beginning and end of the season is a really good idea. We would never use chlorine to treat algae or muck in a pond because it can be toxic to life but the use of a natural bacteria can only help in restore the cycle of life because the consumption of nutrients and elements by the bacteria create food for fish, insects and frogs.

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Sludge Removal Pellets

Free Shipping within the USA Great for spot treating around docks, beaches or partially treating large ponds. Sludge Remover bacteria is designed specifically to remove organic sludge from the bottom of lakes and ponds. Sludge is the result of fish waste, dead algae or plant material, uneate..

Starting at: $155.00

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Sludge Removal Blocks

Free Shipping in the USA These 1 ounce blocks are designed for high performance muck and sludge removal in larger ponds. A smaller format muck pellet is available here Great for spot treating around docks, beaches or partially treating large ponds. This product is a slightly modified ve..

Starting at: $-1,165.00

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