Frequently asked questions about
Hydro Vescense™
What is Hydro Vescense™? How does it work? What elements does it contain, i.e. copper?
How quickly will Hydro Vescense™ work?
What are the application Rates?
What kind of build-up does it clean? Dirty water, or build-up on surfaces?
What can alter the effectiveness of Hydro Vescense™?
Will UV light affect the action of Hydro Vescense™?
What are the known side effects?
Is Hydro Vescense™ toxic to fish?
Is Hydro Vescense™ harmful to birds or other animals?
Essentially all cleaners should be applied before use of bacteria. Is Hydro Vescense™ different?
How does Hydro Vescense™ affect floating debris?
Should I turn my pump and filters off when treating with Hydro Vescense™?
What happens to Hydro Vescense™ in the water? pH? Salinity?
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What is Hydro Vescense™? How does it work? What elements does it contain, i.e. copper?
Hydro Vescense™ is a granular, non-copper effervescent cleaner, and it works on contact through the power of oxidation. The active ingredient in Hydro Vescense™ is called "Sodium Carbonate Peroxyhydrate". Essentially it is a stabilized and powerful version of Peroxide chemistry. Hydro Vescense™ is a contact cleaner and needs to make contact with the build-up to function properly.
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How quickly will Hydro Vescense™ work?
Hydro Vescense™ will begin to work within 60 seconds of application in water temperatures above 55°. Build-up will continue to "bubble" off for approximately 7 days - if significant amounts of build-up remain after 7 days, another dose is recommended. (See the rates below - once a week until clean).
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- First Time Dosage: 3-16 tablespoons for every 200 square feet of build-up surface area.
- Maintenance Dosage: 1-5 tablespoons for every 200 square feet of build-up surface area.
- Spot Treatment Dosage: 1-5 tablespoons for every square feet of build-up surface area.
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What kind of build-up does it specifically remove? (dirty water) or (surface area build-up)
Hydro Vescense™ is an effervescent cleaner that works on contact with build-up. It does not clean dirty or green water.
For green water, we recommend UV clarifiers.
For cleaning build-up: Use low to middle dosage rates above in water above 70 degrees, and maximum rates for water temperature below 70 degrees.
For preventing build-up: If your pond or water feature is generally clean - use the maintenance dosage every 4 weeks or 1 per month. If you have a troubled pond or water feature that experiences heavy build-up - use the "First Time Dosage" every 3 weeks.
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What can alter the effectiveness of Hydro Vescense™?
Amount of build up - older, dense build-up requires higher dosage rates. Light intensity -Hydro Vescense™ works better and faster in sunny conditions. Water temperature -Hydro Vescense™ works is cold water, but works much faster in warmer water. Water quality - Hydro Vescense™ works more efficiently in relatively clean water that doesn't have an excess of debris. Install a HydroClean™ Pond Skimmer to remove leaves and debris from your water feature.
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Will UV light affect the action of Hydro Vescense™?
We have not done any official testing on the affect of UV light on Hydro Vescense™, but it is believed that it may cause interference - therefore we recommend that you turn off any UV system before using Hydro Vescense™. You can turn it back on again approximately 24 hours after application.
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What are the known side effects?
Hydro Vescense™ can initially reduce the populations of crustaceans in a water body, but it has been demonstrated in field tests that these populations bounce back very readily. The same applies for bacterial colonies. This is why you should use this product in conjunction with HydroClear™ Bacteria such as Spring Pond Maintenance, Summer Pond Maintenance, All Season Cold Water Maintenance, and Nitrification Cycle™.
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Is Hydro Vescense™ toxic to fish?
Hydro Vescense™ will not harm any type of fish (including koi and trout) when used as directed. In fact, here at Russell Watergardens, we spread Hydro Vescense™ over all our display ponds by tossing it over the water by hand - and the fish just swim through it as it sinks with no problems. Stop by some time and ask for a demonstration.
Just be aware, as with any other cleaning product, if you allow large amounts of build-up to decay within your pond it may cause dissolved oxygen to drop to dangerous levels. Make sure your water is heavily aerated either with waterfalls, fountains, or submerged aerators during Hydro Vescense™ applications. One way to avoid this problem is to treat early - before the water feature is fully loaded with build-up.
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Is Hydro Vescense™ harmful to birds or other animals?
The label states that Hydro Vescense™ is non-toxic to pets, fish, aquatic life, aquatic habitats, or ecosystems - WHEN USED AS DIRECTED. the statement only applies to the diluted granules in water. Once the product has been applied to your pond or water feature, the water dilutes Hydro Vescense™ and the toxicity rating no longer applies. This is true for all other animals and humans as well. Once applied to the water, the water dilutes Hydro Vescense™ to non-toxic status. Per the label, waters treated with Hydro Vescense™ are permissible to be used without interruption, but the product is not labeled for drinking water.
When not in use, keep Hydro Vescense™ containers CLOSED.
Hydro Vescense™ is toxic in its undiluted, dry granular state. DO NOT EAT.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
DO NOT EAT OR INHALE HYDRO VESCENSE™.
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What plants does Hydro Vescense™ affect? Does it kill Duck Weed?
The concentrated granules can leave contact burn marks if left sitting directly on plant foliage (i.e. lilies) or in a plant pot close to the surface (i.e. lotus) At Russell Watergardens, we apply Hydro Vescense™ right over irises, lilies, and other pond plants - then we hose off the plants with a garden hose - and they have all done fine. If you do happen to get Hydro Vescense™ on plant leaves or surfaces - just immediately spray the plant with water and wash it off.
Hydro Vescense™ will NOT kill Duck Weed.
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Essentially all build-up cleaners should be applied before use of bacteria. Is Hydro Vescense™ different?
The same rule applies with Hydro Vescense™ - apply Hydro Vescense™ first and then apply HydroClear™ bacteria, the only difference with Hydro Vescense™ is that you can apply theHydroClear™ Bacteria such as Spring Pond Maintenance, Summer Pond Maintenance, All Season Cold Water Maintenance, and Nitrification Cycle™ 1 hour after applying Hydro Vescense™.
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How Does Hydro Vescense™ work on floating debris?
Hydro Vescense™ is a granular product (granular dish-washer soap consistency) and some granules will be caught in floating debris while some will sink to the bottom - but if the floating debris is very dense, not much product will reach the bottom. Interestingly, Hydro Vescense™ releases oxygen as it works and will actually lift build-up to the surface where it can be removed by a HydroClean™ Pond Skimmer.
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Should I turn my pump and filters off when treating with Hydro Vescense™?
When treating with Hydro Vescense™, it is up to you whether or not you briefly turn off your pumps and filters. It will generally depend on where the build-up is and how much there is.
Here at Russell Watergardens & Koi, we leave our pumps running when we are treating our display ponds with Hydro Vescense™ to maintain aeration in the pond. When we are treating basalt columns, waterfalls, and streams we briefly turn the pumps off to apply Hydro Vescense™ directly on the build-up to "scrub" it. Remember, Hydro Vescense™ is a contact cleaner and needs to make contact with the build-up - if you apply the product to a waterfall while the pump is running, the water flow will not let Hydro Vescense™ make contact with the build-up.
Here is a quick rule of thumb:
On rock columns, waterfalls, and streams - briefly turn your pump off to apply Hydro Vescense™ directly on the build-up. Let it sit for a few minutes, then turn your pump back on.
On ponds - keep your pump running.
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What happens to Hydro Vescense™ in the water? pH? Salinity?
Hydro Vescense™ is a completely biodegradable and an organic product - its active ingredients are Sodium Carbonate and Hydrogen Peroxide. The main byproducts of Hydro Vescense™ are water and oxygen. The term often used with this type of product is "non-persistent chemistry". Used as directed, Hydro Vescense™ should not have a major effect on water quality. When used very often/repetitively or under borderline conditions, an eye should be kept on increasing pH and salinity levels.
