Microchalk works by changing the chemical environment to become more favourable to aerobic bacteria which breaks down decomposing organic matter

MICROCHALK is an extremely fine powder made from pure Calcium Carbonate.

In nature, after lakes and ponds are first formed, they follow a process of succession of habitat. Ultimately, the lake becomes filled-in with silt, trees become established and it becomes land. Thus, in many lakes and fisheries deposition of organic matter in the mud is greater than the pace of decomposition. As a consequence, the mud becomes progressively deeper and the water shallower, allowing marginal plants to ‘walk’ into the lake. This reduces the amenity value of the lake.

ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE:

Year-on-year accumulation of mud, due to insufficient recycling by microbes, results in steadily increasing demand for oxygen. Decomposition in the absence of oxygen (evident as black, ’mousse-like’ mud smelling of rotten eggs) leads to the production of toxic substances, including hydrogen sulphide. It has been proved in aquaculture that this significantly reduces appetite in fish, and they will go off the feed. This can stress the fish (reducing their resistance to disease), reduce anglers catches, and fishery revenue. Black, acid, anoxic mud can be a ’time bomb’; in hot weather, the water can ’turn over’, mixing the mud with water and absorbing all of the oxygen. This can kill all of the fish and other aquatic animals. Increasing accumulation of organic matter on the lake bed can kill off the friendly recycling microbes, and poison the area, making it a ‘no-go’ area for fish. Deep accumulations of mud can reduce the space available for fishing.

Microchalk is one of the Aquatic Remedies that can reverse this process. It is a very high quality product, and is virtually pure calcium carbonate ground extremely finely. It is not ordinary ground chalk. The average particle size is 2.8 microns / less than 3 thousandths of 1 mm! Consequently, it has a vast surface area, allowing it to dissolve more easily, and work more efficiently. Other, inferior products leave lumps and white residues. Microchalk is alkaline, and works by neutralising the acids in the mud and adding oxygen. This changes the chemical environment from a reducing- to an oxidising environment. This becomes favourable to the decomposition of the organic matter by aerobic bacteria. It is best applied between early winter and spring. It is mixed with the water and spread over the whole lake.

We offer an application service by fully qualified personnel from boat or by a pump and hose for shallower, smaller ponds if required, please call 07597 359 272 for details

APPLICATION YIELDS SPECTACULAR RESULTS

For example, organic mud has reduced in depth by 1 metre over a 10 year period in one test lake. Fish and other aquatic animals produce toxic ammonia as a waste product. They depend on this to be recycled through to nitrate (‘nitrification’) for their well-being and the balance of the ecosystem. The natural process of the nitrogen recycling by bacteria needs a ready supply of carbonate, and Microchalk provides this in abundance.

Where carbonate has been previously exhausted, Microchalk‘ kick-starts’ nitrification back into action. Microchalk can also improve clarity, by a process of flocculation, where suspended solids clump together and settle out.  * For ‘turbo-charged’ sludge reduction, consider another Aquatic Remedy – Sludge Digester – please ask for details. Microchalk complements the wider range of water quality management tools from Aquatic Remedies that help to maintain the balance in commercial fisheries, keeping the fish, anglers and Manager happy!

The SD1 and Microchalk products should be considered and used as balancing products for the organic inputs. Once the lake has been brought back into balance, maintenance treatments are done as and when necessary. The lake will then be restored as a beautiful asset, rather than a liability. Results can be very rapid, and stale fisheries transformed overnight after Microchalk treatment. We have had many reports of angler’s catch rates suddenly jumping the day after treatment. Black mud exudes hydrogen sulphide (‘bad-egg’ gas), which has been proved to inhibit feeding in with fish. If you have black mud (usually 4 or 5cm below the mud surface) you need Microchalk and SD1.

If you are uncertain about the water quality problems in your lake, please contact us to discuss the appropriate solutions.

Due to the nature of our products, we are unable to sell online, please call 07597 359 272 or email us at info@aquatic.remedies.co.uk to purchase.