GO GREEN! GO GREEN Picture Represents only how it will look when in mesh. I supply Loose so Enjoy your DIY skills. Auction for One Plastic FUL 4 OZ , or choose 8 OZ. It has been proven environmentally safe and is inexpensive. add very early in the spring when the water temp is low. give about 30 days for the straw to become active. Once activated, the straw will create the unique environment for up to 6 months. Ponds that have a high content of suspended mud it may be necessary to add more straw than in clear waters as the byproducts can be slowly inactivated by the mud. does not harm fish or plant life. Actually in most cases it increases the invertebrate population providing a food source for fish. In fish farms and hatcheries where straw has been used, there are reports of improved gill function and better overall fish health. Things You'll Need 4 to 8 ounces of barley straw,Mesh netting,Plastic soda bottle,Rope or heavy-duty string. Instructions:For a pond under 800 gallons, 4 ounces of barley straw is enough for each treatment. Ponds up to 1200 gallons will require 8 ounces of barley straw. Add 4 more ounces of barley straw for every 400 gallons over 1200. Wrap your barley straw securely in mesh netting. This allows the water to flow through the barley straw once you put it in the pond. Attach your bundle of barley straw to an empty soda bottle using rope.The soda bottle will act as a float, preventing the barley straw bundle from settling into mud or muck at the bottom of your pond. Set the bundle in your pond in an area that gets good water circulation..and sunlight. If your pond is covered with algae, skim it off before setting the barley straw bundle. You'll achieve the best results if the barley straw receives sunlight (to aid the decomposition of the straw) and if water flows through it(distributing the resulting organic matter through the pond).Check bundle after 4 mths and add a new one if it's almost completely decomposed.