Two Blanketweed Control Trials using Viresco^TM Koi

1. "Koi Ponds & Gardens", September 2000

David Brown who used to do research and writes for "Koi Ponds & Gardens" in the Summer of 2000 carried out some trials using Viresco^TM Koi in his 4000 gallon pond.

He introduced the product into his pond on June 26th. The initial reading of nitrate was 80ppm and that of phosphate was 10ppm. Blanketweed was growing at approximately 2 feet (60cm) per day.

David took daily readings of the nitrate and phosphate levels in the pond after applying Viresco^TM Koi and after 9 days the nitrate had dropped to zero and the phosphate level had been reduced to 5ppm. The graph below shows how the nitrate and phosphate levels reduced over time.

Once the nitrate had dropped to zero, the blanketweed, which had been slowing down in growth, died. The nitrate remained at zero for about another three months after which time David emptied his pond to rebuild it. Blanketweed remained absent for this three month period.

Click here to read the details on this trial
 

2. "Koi Ponds & Gardens", August 2001

During 2001, Brooksby College in Leicestershire were asked to undertake some blanketweed trials by "Koi Ponds & Gardens" magazine. The results were published in the August issue of the magazine under the feature entitled "Beat the weed". Six blanketweed control products were tested. Two were electromagnetic, one was a water purifier with a copper releasing cartridge, one was a water colorant and two were microbial. The product brands that were compared were:

»  Pondweeder »  Water King »  Aquastar »  Nishicare »  Kusuri Eco-Pure and »  VirescoTM Koi	BROOKSBY COLLEGE Blanketweed Trial for "Koi Ponds & Gardens" VIRESCOTM KOI DECLARED "THE WINNER" VirescoTM Koi Kusuri Eco-Pure Pondweeder Water King Nishicare Aquastar
Fourteen vats containing blanketweed were set up and each product was tested in two vats. The final two vats were used as control. After two weeks following treatment, the weight of the blanketweed in each vat was checked and an assessment made of the results. Our VirescoTM Koi was declared to be "The Winner" and given 4-star rating. Four of the products were given 3-stars and the sixth, 2-stars.

Click here to view the full article in "Koi Ponds & Gardens"