AquaSticker

Description

The Science Behind It

Algae and aquatic plants host distinct microbial communities on their surface called the microbiota.  This diverse community of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses) can be both mutualistic and pathogenic.  The microbiota plays a key role in protecting algae and aquatic plants from environmental impacts, pathogens, and chemical attacks.  It also is important in fixating nutrients for growth.  The community can adapt or shift according to the conditions to promote the health and survival of its host.

Improving performance of algaecide / herbicides

The effectiveness of a chemical treatment can be limited by the ability the microbiota to protect its host.  Shifting metabolic activities or reactions and producing thick biofilms are examples of how the microbiota defends algae and aquatic plants from copper, diquat, endothall, and other chemistries.

When blended in with algaecides and herbicides, AquaSticker temporarily disrupts the protective microbiota by fostering competitive microbial growth on algae and aquatic plants.  Upsetting the natural balance of this community temporarily enhances chemical uptake by the host.  AquaSticker also improves contact time with targeted algae and aquatic plants by slowing dissipation in the water column and increasing adhesion.

Improving performance of probiotics

AquaSticker’s unique traits and essential components allow it to combine well and improve the performance of our probiotics and biocatalysts (Water Column Clarifier and PondZilla Pro).  When blended together, AquaSticker and Water Column Clarifier will improve formation of microfloc which clarifies the water.  When mixed with PondZilla Pro, AquaSticker improves the biological reaction at the surface of the algae or plant.

 

In the simulated images above, AquaSticker is mixed with an algaecide and used as a sticking agent. It prevents the algaecide from dissipating before hitting its target and increases adhesion to the algae or aquatic plant.

An Example of Lyngbya‘s Protective Microbiota

 

This graphs represents the microbiota surrounding a sample of Lyngbya tested in the lab. The microbiota is made of an ever-changing and diverse range of organisms working as a single community around Lyngbya.

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Applicators would treat the retention pond above every two weeks for Lyngbya with combinations of Reward*, Hydrothol**, and copper sulfate at label rates, and a peroxide-based algaecide at up to 10 gal per acre. While this would solve the Lyngbya problem temporarily, the cyanobacterium would keep returning. When Lyngbya covered 70% of the pond’s surface, the applicators sent in a water sample to our lab.

Our water quality analysis determined that the conditions of the pond were favorable for Lyngbya growth and we recommended dosing it with AquaSticker and Hydrothol**. Starting a treatment that included AquaSticker helped the applicators cut their chemical costs by a third. As you can see in the graph below, AquaSticker was able to boost Hydrothol** so that this single algaecide could reduce the surface area covered in Lyngbya to 1% within 4 treatments.
*Reward is the property of Syngenta.
**Hydrothol is the property of United Phosphorus.

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Improve your copper’s performance by 40%

AquaSticker as a Spray Indicator

These pictures show one applicator’s technique for applying a tank mix of copper sulfate mixed with AquaSticker. As you can see, the mix doesn’t immediately dissipate after being applied, but instead remains in the area where it was applied and slowly sinks down the water column. This spray indicator function allows your copper to spend more time in contact with the target algae and reduces the need for follow-up applications. Any applicators looking to reduce copper in their treatments should call and ask about AquaSticker.

NOTE: AquaSticker DOES NOT kill aquatic plants or algae.

 

 

Testimonials

“The water in all our ponds and weirs is nearly crystal clear. If anything they might even be too clear.” —TX customer

“AquaSticker has helped us with Lyngbya treatments in our copper mix tanks. We put in 1# of the Sticker in our copper tank and it creates a nice plume which suspends the copper in the water. I cannot tell you how much I love this product.” –Matthew, Applicator South Florida.

Dosage Rates

When combined with a granular, peroxide, or copper algaecide:
Use 20# per acre first application, 10# per acre second application and 5# per acre maintenance dose. Can be added directly as a dry product or as a liquid sprayed over water.

When used as an adjuvant with copper:

Add 1# per 50 gallons tank mix.

This product should be evenly distributed for best results.

When applying to small or decorative ponds be careful not to apply to much; this will take out too much oxygen.

Applications

• Mixed with algaecides and herbicides
• Mixed in copper sulfate tank
• Lakes
• Shorelines

Benefits

• Works especially well with copper sulfate
• Provides balance to aquatic ecosystem
• Bacteria adheres to plant

Before/After

 

After 12 years of never giving applicators a problem, one flood managed to change the nutrient load of this entire pond, a change which gave Lyngbya the opportunity it needed to create the situation seen above in the left image. Our water quality analysis showed that the new pond nutrient load contained high levels of nitrate, orthophosphate, and iron that fed the Lyngbya growth. For these nutrients we recommended MD Pellets, and to take care of the existing algae we recommended a granular algaecide and AquaSticker. The image on the right shows that just 2 months later, the last of the Lyngbya was dying off.

 

In one month applicators spent roughly $2,500 trying to get rid of the Lyngbya you see pictured to the left. We thought we could help, and after Naturalake Biosciences lab testing, we prescribed them AquaSticker and a granular algaecide. This treatment took care of the Lyngbya and kept it away without spending the applicators’ entire budget.

Available Sizes

• 30# container, 1# water-soluble packets
• 30# container, bulk