What exactly are bacteria? They are microscopic organisms of various shapes, constituting the smallest and most elemental form of plant life. They are almost everywhere in nature and multiply with remarkable rapidity. Bacteria consist
of single cells with a nucleus and typically a tough cell wall. Inside the wall is the cell matter, which contains enzymes that help break down food for digestion and build cell parts. When the bacteria collide with a food source, the enzyme
punctures the outer shell allowing the nucleus to enter the food source and devour it. An enzyme is the catalyst that allows the bacteria to function. Without one, the other would not exist.

Bacteria

Little is known about bacteria but more is being learned every day. Applications of their digestive powers are expanding. Wastewater treatment facilities use bacteria to stimulate the digestion system of the waste before water is brought back as drinking water or poured back into lakes and streams. For septic systems that no longer function, bacteria are used as the first corrective measure. (The main reason septic systems stop functioning is the use of anti-bacterial products such as soaps and laundry detergents.)

Garden ponds naturally accumulate bacteria from the time they are filled with water. Natural microscopic and organic contaminants also increase from dead plants, insects, uneated fish food and waste from pond creatures. All of these
elements form to become indigenous bacteria, also known as "Mother Nature's natural cleaning agent." Enzymes feed the indigenous bacteria by breaking down the organic contaminants such as algae. Water gardening bacteria is prevalant on store shelves, available in dozens of concentrations and appearances. There is a dry form with a shelf life of two or more years and liquid with a one year shelf life. There are over two dozen different names that bacteria are sold under, including: Clarifier, Slime Remover, Pond Start, Pond Prep and Sludge remover.

Manmade bacteria are the derivatives of many different types of microbe spores. Inexpensive bacteria may carry from one to five different strains of formulation. The higher the count of strains, the higher the cost. The highest microbe count that is currently available is sixteen. One pound will treat 250,000 gallons of water. Manmade bacteria will only eat certain types of food and are not yet sophisticated enough to eat all of the foods which a pond will produce.

Whenever a new strain of bacteria is added to water, results will be striking. Upon the second application the results are less noticeable, and are even less on the third application. The reason is that manmade microbes will only eat specific
contaminants. It is similar to if you were to drink a bottle of gin today. The results would be striking. Repeat this every day for one month and your body would become accustomed to it, so the effect would be less each time. The same happens with bacteria, which is why a different strain becomes necessary.

Enzymes

The word enzyme comes from two Greek words that mean 'in yeast'. Yeast enzymes were first studied in the 1800's, the first natural enzyme was extracted in 1926, and the first manmade enzyme was created in 1969. The use and
development of enzymes is still relatively new and until recently was cost prohibitive.

Enzymes as a whole are the 'take charge' catalysts. They each perform a very specific action but do not become part of the action. For example, enzymes cause fruit to ripen, leaves to change color and our bodies to digest different foods. Without enzymes, there would be no life. If there is a partial reduction in the availability of enzymes, then life is reduced. For example, lack of specific enzymes can result in food intolerances or other incomplete digestion. Enzymes are the key to life through their powers of being able to digest and promote assimilation and reduction.

Enzymes work the same in our bodies as they do in the environment. They break down what we ate for breakfast so that our natural bacteria are able to absorb it and put it into our blood stream. In the environment they break down the organic contaminants for the bacteria to absorb. Bacteria cannot function without enzymes since the enzymes break down the food so that bacteria can perform their function. Without enzymes, bacteria cannot exsist.

In ponds, waste materials such as slime, sludge, algae and other organic contaminants are attacked by enzymes and turned into a form that can later be eliminated by natural bacteria. Enzymes work more effectively with aeration and have the individual power to break apart vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, ect. and make them absorbable. Remember that enzymes do not become part of the end product but they do make the process possible. Processed enzymes are able to exert a unique reaction that will do more than dissolve accumulated toxins and prepare them for elimination. With the use of enzymes you can stimulate and improve water's natural appearance. Some products promote bacteria with enzymes but the majority of the product is really bacteria. Enzymes do not contain bacteria and should not be confused with bacteria-based products.


Balanced Systems

Today's society wants a clean pond similar to that of a swimming pool. Sales nationwide of algaecides, copper sulfate and herbicides are a testimonial to this fact. All of these products kill Mother Nature's natural cleaning ability. Unless these products are used forever, the contaminates will come back prolifically. The beauty of enzymes is that they do not have to be used forever. Once Mother Nature has caught up with a balance of enzymes and bacteria, she will work on her own, providing the owner with clean water.

A balanced ecosystem needs plants, fish, mechanical or biological filters (where good indigenous bacteria can grow) and enzymes. Taking out any of these elements will cause the ecosystem to work less effectively. Then the pond conditions can deteriorate and form contaminants such as slime, sludge, cloudy and green water and algae.

In pre-formed and small liner ponds, enzymes can provide the meal but if there is not enough bacteria present, the water will turn green. That is why a good biological filter (the stomach or digestive system of a pond) is mandatory. When ponds are first filled with fresh water, bacteria are rarely found. That is why bacteria products should be added. Adding natural enzymes at the same time will kick start the bacteria, making them more effective in breaking down contaminants quickly. In doing so, ponds no longer have to go through weeks and months of the green stage while maturing. When enzymes and natural indigenous bacteria are through diminishing water-born contaminants, the by-product is nitrogen and water, providing a naturally clean and clear environment.