By: Joe Holz, Director of Sales | Originally Posted: Dec. 23, 2013 | Updated: Feb. 14, 2022
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It can be difficult for an end user to determine which bacteria product is the best for their pond with the multitude of products on the market. Couple that with some “not so honest” sales approaches, and it can be downright intimidating trying to choose.
At Kasco, we are dedicated to helping you find a solution through honest advice. We have compiled some common sales myths about various brands of bacteria and a short explanation as to why they are wrong.
Myth #1 – These Bacteria are Cold Tolerant
While it may technically be true that the bacteria are cold tolerant, it doesn’t mean it works when it is cold. For example, does putting a gallon of milk in your fridge last longer than if you were to leave it sitting on the counter? The answer is obviously yes because cold slows bacterial processes.
Kasco’s Pond Probiotics work best in temperatures above 55 degrees as do all other bacteria products. Our Pond Probiotics have a huge concentration of bacteria, topping 3 billion CFU’s per gram of product. That is almost 1.3 trillion per pound. Compare this to many of the competitors that struggle to reach 1 billion CFU’s per gram, and you will see why Pond Probiotics are so effective.
Myth #2 – These Bacteria Eat Muck AND Take Care of Nitrogen (Nitrifying)
The truth is that different bacteria strains do different things. Heterotrophic bacteria are the kind that feed on organic matter or the muck in the bottom of the pond. Kasco’s Pond Probiotics are a blend of heterotrophic bacteria. They are designed to aggressively attack and remove the organic material in the bottom of your pond. Nitrifying bacteria is a completely different bacteria type, and it goes after the inorganic, nitrogen in your pond. These are two distinctly different bacterium types.
Myth #3 – These Bacteria Work Equally Well in Both Fresh and Salt Water
This is incorrect because there are different strains and blends of bacteria that work better in salt water vs. fresh water. For example, Kasco’s Pond Probiotics are designed for freshwater environments. The blend will still work in brackish water, but doses need to be roughly doubled to work effectively. If you have a saltwater application, it is best to contact us to find a specific saltwater blend of bacteria.
Myth #4 – All Bacteria are the Same
Technically, there are a limited number of bacteria strains that work well in a pond environment. Many of the products available are a blend of these strains. However, the difference lies in what else is in the package. All bacteria products contain binders and fillers, which act as the base for the contents. The key comparison is the total amount of bacteria or CFU’s per gram or pound a product has.
Myth #5 – It’s Not Bacteria, It’s Enzymes
This is nothing but marketing and buzzword use. Enzymes are the protein that act as a catalyst in the overall reaction of the bacteria. The bacteria produce enzymes to help break down the organic and inorganic matter they are designed to target. Companies market their bacteria product as enzymes because they think some customers will be turned off by the term bacteria. Kasco’s Pond Probiotics have a high concentration of bacteria that rapidly go after organic material and create the necessary enzymes in the process.
Contact us to decide on which bacteria is right for your pond.
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