Thread: Redneck scientific study of pvc / pex and algae growth

or should i rename it to " how to grow green slime on pcv" ?

This is going to probably be long winded and picture heavy, so bear with me.

what started me looking into this is that the lake level has dropped and exposed a couple of my crappie jacks that i put in last year, 2 had algae completely covering them but the other was still looking good as new. i picked it up and could see i missed sanding the pcv on it and the only place that had algae was the concrete and center section that was sanded. it didnt seem to bother the fish as we caught a boat load off of them all. i relocated them all just a bit deeper and kept fishing. BUT I HAD A NAGGING FEELING

I have researched this and have found no studies on freshwater fisheries trying to promote algae growth, and most lake studies are trying to eliminate it along with the natural grasses underwater.


If this has been done before . Please stop me!!!!

I would appreciate any help/ input or suggestions along the way.

I plan on doing a Redneck not-so scientific study on the different type of plastics and hardwoods most of us use for crappie beds, and how fast a person can expect microorganisms and subsequently the fish to use them as a home base.

Study plan:
5 different starting bases
#1: sanded pvc /crappie jack
#2 unsanded pcv tubing /crappie jack
#3: sanded pex tubing
#4 unsanded pex tubing
#5 wood- wild cherry hardwood (due to availability in my field)
Possibly more hardwoods as I progress,( oak, hedge, cedar and elm)

2 different types of protein based conditioners will be used along with a non- conditioned standard base to follow the growth of algae and the time it takes for each to grow the microorganisms that will attract fish and hold them.

This plan is going to be 2 to 4 weeks long and will take place in my small pond so I can observe without removing or disturbing them much.
I will check them every 3 days and report findings with pics

My base models will consist of 3 pcv crappie jacks, pcv tubing , pex tubing and a wild cherry post freshly cut.
one will be a sanded pcv base without any conditioners.
The other 2 will be sanded but a different conditioner on each
One unsanded pcv pipe with all 3 components and conditioners separated
Pex and wood will have all 3 types separated
I will ziptie a small twig to each of the jacks, to see if it will help promote algae growth on the pvc by being close to it.
I also spray painted a small section flat lacquer black to see if there are any adhesion or growth issues to the paint.

I am sure there are a million other test that could be done.

1st conditioner will be miracle grow plant spay protein
2nd conditioner will be fish fertilizer plant concentrate spray (stinky stuff)
Both are available at most hardware stores and under 5 bucks each for a big bottle of concentrate. Other proteins are available at a much higher cost, but I want to keep it in a small budget and be able to keep a bottle in my boat for future use( if it helps promote algae growth sooner.)
All conditioners will be sprayed on and let dry for 20 or 30 minutes. Before deploying into the secret study lake.

Here goes
Day 1: FEB 15 Monday
Current temp 55 degrees
Lows tonight 30 degrees
The Forecast is calling for some great weather this week
60's for highs and 30's for lows, no rain baro 29.88 and dropping slowly

The Secret lake:
Water temp 38 degrees with some thin ice on north side
Visibility = clear
Water depth of testing =will be 2 to 4 foot (for observation purposes)
I took a few pics on my phone along the way today.
I hope I am not the only one that is curious?

Feb 21, Sunday .
Air temp 61 degrees and sunny

Water temp 53 degrees at test depth


I believe im going to have to change things up a bit
I think I need to wait longer like 6 to 8 days between test so as not to disturb the algae by pulling them out of the water so often. So after this test I will observe by wading out to them and pulling them straight up and taking pictures or pull out my aqua view and observe without touching.



My research shows optimal growing temps are between 60-80 degrees.
And being less than optimal conditions for algae growth in the winter ,it will dramatically alter the results compared to later in the year.
But this is when most of us plant pcv/ pex and brush piles, and is the reason why I am doing this now.


DAY 6
TEST RESULTS ON PVC/CRAPPIE JACKS

Fish Fertilizer- definitely more algae growth and can be well seen by wiping my finger across, and it is well rooted in the sanded areas.

Base no conditioners- from seeing nothing 3 days ago, (Surprisingly ,it looks like it is catching up with the pack), definite algae growth and very slick.


Miracle Grow- Much more pronounced algae growth( compared to 3 days ago) and is well rooted in the heavily sanded areas. Slick areas wipe away easily.


SUMMERY OF PCV TEST:
The fish fert is still ahead of the pack , but the others are right close behind.
I wondering now if conditioners will even help after a couple weeks, I thinking I wont be able to tell a difference between them if I took the labels off at that time …time will tell


WOOD TEST:


Fish fert- still going strong - algae firmly attached and very slick , the snails are still loving it too

Base wood- still very little algae growth and no slick feel yet

Miracle Grow- Definitely more algae growth- I cant tell the difference between the two conditioners added

SUMMERY OF WOOD TEST:
It is looking as of now that the conditioners are the way to go on the wood, even if it is only temporary, it seems to help the wood get a jump-start on algae growth…time will tell


TEST RESULTS PEX TUBING:

Finally the pex is starting to grow algae, (I wish I would have used white instead of blue for the test, I am sure it would show up a lot better in the pics.)
Algae Layer is very thin but now getting slick

I cannot tell a difference between the base and the conditioners, as the entire length is slick feeling, but it is hard to see any growth on the blue tubing.

SUMMERY OF PEX TEST:
it looks like conditioners are not going to outperform on the pex tubing

I also added another test,
White pvc and cpvc, sanded and unsanded sections with conditioners added

See you guys in a week, hopefully I can get my Aqua view out , charge it up and observe from land.

*Sorry for being a couple days late reporting, the fish have been tearing it up here