Biostim is a 100% natural probiotic which increases quantities of "good" bacteria in your dam water. These "good" guys eat sludge on the floor of your dam and the decaying organic material floating in your water that is destined to become sludge.
Biostim Tablets
Biostim Pellets
Biostim helps feed the “good” (aerobic) bacteria in your dam which helps grow their populations. As mentioned above, these guys eat the sludge on the floor of your dam and reduce the amount of new organic build-up. We recommend Biostim pellets or tablets as a probiotic (our own label of 100% natural probiotics). Biostim comes in powder and liquid too, but the pellets and tablets sink to the floor and embed in the sludge, making them more effective at eradicating sludge.
Customer Story: See the results of Manningham Council’s 3-month trial with Probiotics (Biostim)
Water features, such as dams, ornamental ponds and lakes, provide picturesque aquatic settings. These natural environments, however, face a common challenge… sludge accumulation.
Sludge is an organic matter that threatens the ecological balance of water features. It can ruin the aesthetic appeal, damage plants and endanger species. To maintain the health of your water body, effective sludge treatment is essential. At Love My Dam, we stock two types of probiotic treatments to save your aquatic environment from being swamped in sludge.
Understanding Sludge: Composition and Sources
Sludge is an inevitable byproduct of wastewater treatment. Comprising a mix of organic matter, solids and moisture, sludge has unique challenges that could negatively impact your water feature.
Composition of sludge
Sludge consists of water, organic solids and carbon-based compounds. The solid content ranges from 0.5% to 5%, while the moisture content can be as high as 95%. Regarding the organic matter, the sludge will retain biodegradable compounds such as fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Inorganic components like heavy metals and nitrogen may also be present in sludge, depending on the wastewater sources.
Sources of sludge
Sludge comes from organic debris, microorganisms in the water, wastewater treatment plants, industrial processes and agriculture. There are pollutants that can create sludge, but microorganisms play the most significant role in sludge formation. For example, bacteria or fungi will break down and remove organic matter from the water, composing a thick residue.
Environmental impact
If you don’t manage sludge properly, it can pose significant environmental risks. High levels of nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen may lead to eutrophication in water bodies. This process depletes oxygen and can harm aquatic life in the water.
Why Are Sludge Water Treatments Important?
Sludge water treatments are important for environmental and human protection. Without treatments, your water feature could suffer long-term consequences that reduce animal and plant species in the water.
Below are some reasons for treating sludge quickly.
- Environmental protection: Untreated sludge contains many harmful substances that could lead to water pollution. Over time, oxygen levels can deplete and harm aquatic life, including fish and plants.
- Public health: Sludge can carry harmful bacteria, viruses and pathogens that threaten human health. If your water feature is in a public area or is located near your home, beware that sludge can spread waterborne diseases. Talk to us if you are concerned about toxicity.
- Sustainable water waste management: Effective sludge treatments can help you properly dispose of sludge to prevent its negative impact on aquatic ecosystems. Sustainable water waste management aims to recover and recycle sludge to protect the environment.
Pre-Treatment of Sludge
Pre-treatment plays a crucial role in maintaining aquatic settings and ensuring the well-being of their inhabitants. The process involves removing large debris, solids and contaminants from the water, reducing the load on later treatments.
The next steps include screening and grit removal. Manual tools can help scrape trapped leaves, twigs and plastics off the water’s surface, reducing the accumulation of organic matter. At Love My Dam, we stock a product called the DeSkuzzer, which does all the work for you by keeping the water body surface clean.
After completing these steps, you can begin water treatment to remove sludge.
Use Our Biological Sludge Treatment for Your Water Body
Biological treatments use microorganisms to break down the organic matter present in stubborn sludge. These treatments harness the metabolic activity of bacteria to convert organic compounds into simpler substances. In turn, the water feature should produce less sludge over time.
At Love My Dam, we provide various sludge treatments to suit your needs. Our Biostim products contain natural probiotics that degrade activated sludge, remove dry solids responsible for organic matter and starve out pesky weeds and algae. You can use Biostim supplements in the form of pellets or tablets for sludge.
Alongside these products, there are also aeration accessories to support aerobic digestion. This process involves exposing sludge to more air, promoting the growth of aerobic microorganisms. The bacteria break the muck down into carbon dioxide and water, leaving dewatered sludge that will eventually thin out.
For the digestion process, use products like a bubble air diffuser to introduce more oxygen into the water. The digested sludge will weaken and cause fewer issues associated with odour and muddy water bodies.
What Treatments Should I Use for My Water Feature?
Sludge treatments are the best solutions for cleaning and protecting your water body. The sludge produced by animal waste or toxic microorganisms will soon disappear, leaving the water looking fresh. Following our treatment processes, such as biological supplements and dam aeration, can help you preserve the ecosystem of plant and animal species.
For more information on treating sludge, contact us today.