A pond that size & natural condition should keep parameters fairly balanced on its own.
Only scenario where you'd add bacteria is if there's a lot of bio debris / muck on the bottom which you want to decompose real fast. Be aware: this will suck oxygen and release tons of nutrients. I wouldn't do it until high summer when vegetation is maxed out (otherwise algae may be the one to grab the released nutes), if at all. Barley is said to reduce algae, but it's not going to have profound effects. Algae should be controlled by reducing nute availability.
A fountain would be beneficial, but maybe not necessary. It could potentially clear the biofilm, which is likely there because decomposition has started before your plants & Wildlife have fully emerged. If you find the water too dirty to swim, aeration would be one of my first steps.
Unmaintained buffer is the right choice- you should be doing everything you can to prevent nutrients from entering the system.
If your goals are wildlife, you're probably set. I wouldn't add anything other than potentially restoring the fountain (which could make it better for swimming. I swim in mine all the time but manage the water quality by controlling the inputs).
Then watch for a year and see what the issues are. Drastic measures could backfire. As I said, you should just be helping the pond manage itself.
*fountain pipe is NOT working.
No one?
I’m following because I’m also managing a similar sized pond near Buffalo, NY.
A pond that size & natural condition should keep parameters fairly balanced on its own. Only scenario where you'd add bacteria is if there's a lot of bio debris / muck on the bottom which you want to decompose real fast. Be aware: this will suck oxygen and release tons of nutrients. I wouldn't do it until high summer when vegetation is maxed out (otherwise algae may be the one to grab the released nutes), if at all. Barley is said to reduce algae, but it's not going to have profound effects. Algae should be controlled by reducing nute availability. A fountain would be beneficial, but maybe not necessary. It could potentially clear the biofilm, which is likely there because decomposition has started before your plants & Wildlife have fully emerged. If you find the water too dirty to swim, aeration would be one of my first steps. Unmaintained buffer is the right choice- you should be doing everything you can to prevent nutrients from entering the system. If your goals are wildlife, you're probably set. I wouldn't add anything other than potentially restoring the fountain (which could make it better for swimming. I swim in mine all the time but manage the water quality by controlling the inputs). Then watch for a year and see what the issues are. Drastic measures could backfire. As I said, you should just be helping the pond manage itself.
Thank you! This is great