Asked by: Andy from Scottsdale, AZ
A: Growing your own beneficial bacteria from scratch is prohibitively expensive and downright difficult. You’ll need to invest in professional brewing and fermentation equipment, create a sterile environment, and strap in for a long and complex journey of controlling temperature and humidity just perfectly to facilitate proper microbial growth. Instead of re-inventing the wheel, you can easily promote beneficial bacteria growth directly in the water to get the most out of pond bacteria treatments.
Supporting Beneficial Bacteria in Pond Water
Billions of microbes enter your pond daily through organic waste and storm runoff. While most are harmless, some of these bacteria, fungi, and algae contribute to poor water quality. Regular beneficial bacteria treatments, like those found in DefensePAC and Airmax ClearPAC Plus, help keep harmful microbes in check by outcompeting them for nutrients and space.
You can boost pond bacteria starter doses by creating an aquatic ecosystem that helps the good guys flourish. Installing a diffused aeration system and controlling Free Reactive Phosphorus (FRP) levels are two of the most impactful steps you can take to promote beneficial bacteria growth.
Nitrifying good bacteria are aerobic—they require ample oxygen to thrive. These helpful microbes are also found more densely in the pond bottom than throughout the water column. A diffused aerator supercharges their development by injecting vital oxygen where it is needed the most, while also pushing beneficial bacteria colonies to the surface where they can displace algae and other harmful germs.
While aeration gives beneficial bacteria an advantage, water clarifying flocculants like Clarity Defense and Airmax EcoBoost PRx inhibit the proliferation of harmful microbes. These natural treatments bind with FRPs—an essential food source for many unwanted germs—pulling excessive phosphates out of the water permanently.
More Pond & Lake Bacteria Tips
Need help finding the perfect system to promote helpful bacteria in your water garden or pond? Contact us online or call 866-POND-HELP to connect with an experienced pond coach ready to answer all your good germ questions.
Read more about beneficial bacteria in the following related guides:
Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Bacteria
Beneficial Bacteria for Clear Water
Do I need both bacteria and enzymes?
Last Updated: July 1, 2025