Zebra Mussels and waterballast!

baldbaby2000 · Post by **baldbaby2000** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:23 pm

I wonder if they are a food source to anything else? I watched the bears in AK dining on shellfish. I wonder if the coyote, fox. and especially racoon will discover them here?

I think racoons will eat them but the mussels are small so probably take a little work for them. They're also eaten by crayfish and birds.

walt · Post by **walt** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:06 pm

From the link given previously:

2. Water Ballast boat to use 200 ppm of KCL (mix one teaspoon of Potassium Chloride [the water softener pellets] in 2 gallons of water) and add to the ballast upon filling through the air vent hole. This solution has appeared to the least toxic to the environment, but effectively kills the mussels. (I plan to bring some for you to use. I suspect one pellet would be a simple measure in a two gallon bucket of water).

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Im plannning on spending a couple days at Lake Pueblo the next at least somewhat nice weekend. I went to Home Depot to look for water softening pellets and the bags (40 pounds smallest size...) say something like Sodium Chloride with some additional but not specifically mentioned chemicals.

This probably is high school chemistry but what is the difference between Sodium Chloride (normal salt?) and Potasium Chloride? Do I need to find water softener pellets which specifically say "Potassium Chloride"?

Im a pretty good canditade for spreading the mussels since I plan to sail Pueblo, Cherry Creek, Chatsfield this spring before moving up to Elevenmile..

pokerrick1 · Post by **pokerrick1** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:41 pm

Moe wrote:Indeed! From what I can tell, zebra mussels may've been the best thing that could've happened for recreation on Lake Erie.

OH - - - Zebra Mussels - - - I thought you were talking about Zebras

Rick

Post by **NiceAft** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 6:48 pm

Ray

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:35 am

Walt - probably very little diff between KCl and NaCl with regards to killing zebras..its the salt that kills them. Even road salt CaCl2 would work - might be cheaper too??

walt · Post by **walt** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 8:56 am

Thanks. Turns out I didnt look hard enough at the hardware store. Somehow both Potasium Chloride and Sodium Chloride are used with the water softeners? Anyhow, found the Potasium Chloride (40 pound bag "many lifetime supply" for $15).

RickJ · Post by **RickJ** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 2:33 pm

walt wrote:Thanks. Turns out I didnt look hard enough at the hardware store. Somehow both Potasium Chloride and Sodium Chloride are used with the water softeners?

Interesting, I've only ever heard of common salt (NaCl) being used with water softeners, but I guess KCl works just as well. There's probably a market where people are concerned about increasing their sodium intake when drinking softened water.

I haven't seen it on sale in the UK, maybe it's a US thing?

(sorry, getting a bit OT ...)

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 4:34 pm

Yeah - lets keep it on the thread please, after all...

Hey, a chicken......!!!!!!!

Post by **kmclemore** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 6:55 pm

Catigale wrote:Yeah - lets keep it on the thread please, after all...

Hey, a chicken......!!!!!!!

Post by **NiceAft** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:00 pm

OK! It official. You guys lost me

Ray

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:23 pm

kmclemore wrote:
Catigale wrote:Yeah - lets keep it on the thread please, after all...

Hey, a chicken......!!!!!!!

Kevin I will take 2 boxes of each and 6 cases of Camel Cigarettes
These will I assume all be shipped from a former Soviet Block Country in plain brown wrapped cartons No Taxes paid No prescription needed?
BTW what was this thread about again?
Niceaft adderall is for add and adhd means we cannot concentrate/focus hahahaha

Post by **NiceAft** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:32 pm

I guess I've lived a sheltered life

Ray

pokerrick1 · Post by **pokerrick1** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:23 pm

Please see the post I am about to do in Venues under Mead Madness regarding zebra mussels there. It's not good.

Rick

Post by **NiceAft** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:02 am

Click this to see Rick's warning!

Ray

walt · Post by **walt** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:26 am

Speaking of off topic, here are some pictures of our trip to the Zebra infested waters * of Lake Pueblo Colorado.
http://www.sailboatowners.com/forums/pv ... 4090119.82

* the locals down there dont think the mussels have actually arrived yet.. probably just another conspiracy.

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Zebra Mussels and waterballast!

Zebras

Zebra Mussela