o/t-algae in stock tanks

4010 puller · May 13, 2013

Hello:

Ive got some algea growing in my plastic stock tanks for cattle. They drink up a large amount of water (roughly 300 gallons) in 5 days but the algea is growing pretty good. What can I add to my tank to keep it cleaner?

Dachshund · May 13, 2013

Barley straw....

Bigdaddy4430 · May 13, 2013

I use chlorine tablets for a swimming pool you can get them at any chain store.Cheap and they work

randallinMo · May 13, 2013

You can add chlorine as mentioned below, or you can empty the tank and wash it out good with soap and water. Algea in a stock tank just means you've got good water.
I keep fat head minnows in my stock tanks. They reproduce like crazy and they help to keep the moss down. Just start out with a few minnows......next thing you know you've got hundreds. Great for populating larger ponds.

JRSutton · May 13, 2013

gold fish - and or snails.

don't laugh - people do it. haven't tried it myself.

Anonymous-0 · May 13, 2013

I take some old copper pipe and polish it up and throw it in the tank.You will need to polish the pipe every once in a while with steel wool .I also put some in our auto waterers does a good job.

souNdguy · May 13, 2013

put some goldfish in there... they eat mosquito larva too..

Traditional Farmer · May 13, 2013

They sell Copper Sulfate just for that purpose and it works very well.

Anonymous-0 · May 13, 2013

Place some copper wire in the bottom of the tank. Anchor it so the cows won't eat it.

JayinNY · May 13, 2013

Maybe use your pressure sprayer to clean it out real good first, before trying the advice below.

John A. · May 13, 2013

4010 P., Like the others have said.....Go by your local Bait Shop and get a dozen Gold fish for about $5.00 to$7.00. That is dirt Cheap compared to Wally World price, Faint Dead away for one!
Later,
John A.

Jon Hagen · May 13, 2013

I do that every year here in ND. Go down to the pothole slough and pick up a dozen or so snails.
Their free and keep the tank clean all season.

Stuart · May 13, 2013

You cant be serious. Do you know how toxic that is even at low levels!!!

tg in VA · May 13, 2013

A friend of mine puts a couple of table spoons of Clorox in his stock tanks, says it works real good.

GordoSD · May 13, 2013

Find a nearby fish farm and buy 3-4 catfish. Take home some food too.

dcarp · May 13, 2013

I use little burlap bags of barley straw. Takes a few days to work but then does a good job. TSC sells them & probably any farm supply store.

jbp · May 13, 2013

Been using copper sulphate for algae control in ponds for years with no adverse effects on livestock, both cattle and hogs. In fact I used one pound of copper sulphate per ton of complete hog feed for years as it helped keep down some bacterial gut problems.

If I remember correctly, three pounds per acre foot of water will control algae very well. Joe

old popper · May 13, 2013

At home, we always went to the creek and caught a couple of small Bullheads to put in the tank.

Traditional Farmer · May 13, 2013

Copper Sulfate is added to cattle and goat mineral all time as both need lots of copper.

Stuart · May 13, 2013

Yes but its mixed with other nutrients. not just by itself.

Traditional Farmer · May 14, 2013

Maybe but the coop sells hundreds of bags of the stuff to put in stock tanks every year so it must be OK I've been using it for 20 years with no problem

Traditional Farmer · May 14, 2013

Also Copper Boluses are sold to keep the amount of Copper up in cattle

formenwhogrow · May 14, 2013

Goldfish

T in NE · May 14, 2013

I find draining and shoveling the sediment out of the bottom does wonders.

Texasmark1 · May 15, 2013

I use Copper Sulfate for my pond, but add clorox to my watering trough. I might add a cup to 50 gallons when adding that amount of water. One day it's bright green growing and all. 2 days later it's brown residue on the bottom of the tank. I use a swimming pool skimmer to just skim it out.....the fine mesh screen on a stick you can get at Lowes for a few bucks.

Mark

o/t-algae in stock tanks

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