Algae in stock tanks

Erik Ks farmer · Jul 18, 2012

I've been hauling water to stock tanks and have one tank with a float valve in it. The worst algae growth is in the tank with the float valve, 25 pair drink from the tank every night, I have cleaned algae off the surface of the tank the last couple evenings. What can I use to control the algae? Will copper sulfate work without harming the cows?

notjustair · Jul 18, 2012

I always have a handful of goldfish in each tank. At a quarter a
piece they do a pretty economical job of maintaining the tank.

retired farmer · Jul 18, 2012

Goldfish.

Big M · Jul 18, 2012

Gold fish will do a good job. I also live in central KS and one year I put in 7 gold fish about 2 to 3 inches long. Took home 104 out of that tank in the fall.

Wheat Farmer · Jul 19, 2012

Three different things I know of. Goldfish, Copper sulfate, or a bale of Barley straw. You can even buy small bags of barley straw.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 19, 2012

I polish up a piece of copper pipe and throw it in there

jackinok · Jul 19, 2012

we always had gold fish in our tanks when i was younger.

JRSutton · Jul 19, 2012

A couple ounces of bleach per 100 gallons will keep the algae down, and keep bacteria down too.

And it's safe enough for humans - so cows (assuming cows) will be fine too.

The one thing with chemicals though is the cows sometimes have to get used to the smell.

Not that it's that strong - just a little off.

I've seen them refuse water from different sources. So whatever you do, just keep it consistent.

randallinMo · Jul 19, 2012

I use Apple Cider Vinegar in the drinking water for my cows as a wormer. It works wonderfully. I mix 1 gallon of vinegar per 100 gallons of water. Depending upon the temperature, 200 gallons total will last 25 cows about 24 hours. Just make sure to provide the mixture for at least the 24 hour time period. I am thinking that the vinegar will kill the algae.....but not 100% sure. I DO know that it is a very good wormer that kills the worms and does not go through the cow to destroy valuable soil organisms. THis will cost you about $6.50 to worm 25 cows. THe cows will back away from the mixture initially....but make sure it is their only water source and they WILL drink it.

Jon Hagen · Jul 19, 2012

Here in the North Dakota prairie pot hole region, all the larger ponds have small snails in them. I scoop up a few dozen of those little guys to put in the water tank. They happily eat alge and make more little snails all summer.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 19, 2012

Not the location but the product.
...

www.creativepumps.com.au/zpumps/aquarium_pharm/algaefix.htm

Algae in stock tanks

Erik Ks farmer

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notjustair

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retired farmer

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Big M

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Wheat Farmer

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Anonymous-0

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jackinok

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JRSutton

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randallinMo

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Jon Hagen

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Anonymous-0

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