Pond Dyes & Pond Colorants
Concentrated pond dyes to reduce sunlight penetration and enhance esthetics of pond water
See our recommended pond dyes

 The use of aquatic dyes or pond and lake water colorants is an interesting concept that has some value for helping prevent algae and to reduce the proliferation of certain unwanted aquatic plants and slime. These products work on many levels, and as we review the different products you can buy we will discuss the positive and negative aspects of adding pond dyes to your water, but the principal benefit of using a product like AquaShade, BluZyme, Crystal Blue, Bio Black or Bacterius BlueMarine. Many of the other brand name mixtures is that you are blocking out the red-orange and blue-violet spectrum from the sunlight. This is natural radiant light in the spectrum that can contribute to the growth of algae; also, by blocking the sunlight we can reduce the sun rays that hit the bottom of the pond, as the water is more opaque, thus we are reducing the warming effects of the sun compared to a untreated pond.


Adding dyes to the pond is also for esthetics and often that is the main reason for golf course owners or public pond owners who use it to decide to add the colorant. It can hide the shallow plants and algae that may be growing and in cases of wedding photos or public areas it can turn a muddy gray water into a bright blue or reflective black surface that often looks much better. I often have clients who have small children or grandchildren who want to use the blue mixes for their pond just because the kids don't want to venture into the water when the color is gray and once the BluZyme or AquaShade is added the little ones think the water looks great!

But, and I must say a big but, some folks find these blue dyes to be too artificial looking. I want clear water in my pond not something that looks like the color of blue crayons! In small ponds it might be preferential to have crystal clear water...in larger ponds the brown turbid waters may seem disteastful which is why dye can be uses. Large or small pond...it's up to you!

Typical directions for use, warnings, dangers and advice
Always the follow the specific directions on the bottle, jar or jug. Most of these products have no restrictions for use in Canada or the United State of America but most manufacturers suggest not applying into ponds or lakes where there is an outflow into other private or public waters. While most of these products, check with your local store when you buy your pond dyes, are safe for fish and plants, pets and animals they should never be used in an aquatic system that is used or connected to one that is used for human or animal consumption. Certain exceptions apply but be like my Sister used to say, be careful what you put in the water, as come contaminate in the water are not discovered to be harmful until years after.

Applying these products in larger ponds can be as simple as gently pouring the concentrated liquid direct from the one or five gallon jugs right off the back of your boat. If you have a fountain or aerator try and get close to it to allow the circulation of the diffuser mixing to do the brunt of the work. Within 10 minutes you should see a distinct mixing.

If you are applying into a pond on a windy day it is a good idea to stand upwind and pour the dye at the upwind side of the pond. This will allow the wind to push the dye throughout the pond.

No matter how you apply it, when you put it into a large pond it can take up to 2 hours to fully mix and longer if you don't have an aeratror. Be careful if you are applying the concentrated liquid near a fountain as the fountain, if the dye gets too close to the propeller intake, can throw very concentrated liquid into the air that could splash into you and literally make you look like a spotted blue Smurf!

The use of any colorant should not be considered or seen as a cure-all that will solve all of your pond problems, while it can greatly improve the general quality of the water; as there will be less chance for bottom sediments to be reached by sunlight thus inhibiting algae blooms, it should be one of the tools along with natural bacteria and aeration that make a difference in your pond.

Keeping it healthy and clean, and blue, is the goal and we want to help!

Best Buys

We offer only the best dyes, either dry packs of concentrated dye or liquid with different shades for small pond, lakes and basins. When we give a PK7 rating it means we believe in the product so the Blue Lake Dye is the professional strength, concentrated blue lake colorant formulated to treat commercial ponds, farm ponds, small lakes and other large water features and this meets our client ratings. This is the product we use for all our commercial clients as it offers the best value looking for a blue look, otherwise we recommend the black pond dye which is darker and more realistically represents the actual look of a lake or pond in the wild. These PK7 rated lake dye helps filters out the sunlight spectrum that can lead to algae and plant growth in ponds as well as creating an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the water by offering a natural bluish look. The Liquid Lake Dye can be mixed even more quickly and evenly throughout the lake with the use of a fountain, aerator or similar device but will mix naturally within a few hours in a lake or large pond if no circulation system is available. To avoid staining or ending up looking like a spotted wallabee please read the directions even if you don't think you need to!

PK7 rated Blue Dye benefits
Natural blue look | Filters sunlight | Will not stain fish, birds, plants or pets once added to water | Non toxic | Compatible with most herbicides and algaecides | Safe for fish, plants, pets and people

To ensure your pond/ lake maintains a clear blue look, the use of Pond Keeper beneficial pond bacteria is recommended in conjunction with Pond Keeper Blue Lake Dye.

PK Dye Application Rates
32 fluid ounces colors 1 surface acre of pond water between 4-8 ft. deep. To ensure fast, even distribution, apply product at multiple points in the pond. Reapply as needed. We recommend purchasing at least four 32 ounce jugs for every acre of pond size simply because we've seen so many clients decide they wanted to add more or less after the first 32 ounces was added. A single application will typically last from 3 to 8 weeks depending on the inflow and outflow of the pond.

For Smaller Ponds
See our recommended pond dyes

Choose one of our low-cost general strength dyes or go big and bold and use a super-concentrated liquid or dry pond dye to treat small ponds, water gardens, wooden barrel ponds and other small water features including reflective ponds. This is a great product we use for all our small yet important clients as it offers an inexpensive alternative and value. This PK pond dye helps filters out the sunlight spectrum that can lead to algae and plant growth in ponds as well as creating an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the water by offering a natural bluish look. This Liquid Pond Dye can be mixed even more quickly and evenly throughout the pond or watergarden when you have a fountain, bubbler or similar circulating device but will mix naturally within a few minutes in even the larger sized backyard ponds or large pond if no circulation system is available.

Will we all become blue?
Let's start by saying that adding a pond dye will not make swimmers and bathers skin turn blue! We get asked that question whenever we recommend the use of any of these products whether it by the extremely dark Black Onyx or the more turquoise effects of BluZyme. These liquid mixtures are extremely concentrated and some retailers actually include a pair of latex gloves with every purchase because while the dyes, once fully mixed and diluted in the pond are not going to stain skin or objects, when the liquid is in the container it is extremely rich in concentrated dyes and will definitely stain any skin, cloths, rocks, boats or docks that happen to get a drop on them!

I've personally been very careful when applying these products yet have always managed to come home after the treatment to find my fingernails looked as if I'd been soaking in melted blue M+M's! On one occasion I literally spilt a half gallon into the boat where I was carefully pouring the liquid near the aeration boil to assist in dispersion throughout the water column and I had blue stained legs that made it look like I had the Mother of all bruises! Once the colorant has dispersed thoroughly it won't stain but in smaller water gardens or whenever you are dumping it directly from the jug just make sure you don't splash it or it can leave a stain. The stains will eventually wear off but on some shorelines having blue or dark black stains on the grass and rocks can be unsightly.

Just like many pond additives like bacteria the pond colorants are available in dry pellet or block form. This format really reduces the risk of stains but gloves are still recommended if you are handling and applying.

Popular aquatic dyes we have reviewed & tested 
We also recommend these as very good quality products
See our recommended pond dyes

Over the years we have tested and evaluated the staying power and effectiveness of many coloring products and have now chosen the one that we confidently recommend based on our reviews of pond dyes and colorants. Many retailers sell five gallon jugs or one gallon supplies at the cheapest price but they are often watered down mixes or require twice as much application to achieve the same results.

Even though our 1/4 gallon supply is often more expensive than a gallon of another brand of colorant it depends on the concentration and effectiveness. I have, when buying my flat screen TV, heard the expression: "You get what you pay for" and with this product it is quite relevant! This PK Lake and Pond Dye has been our highest rated product consistantly over the years and we trust it completely. We are able to offer this product at our special price.

We only offer our clients what we consider to be the best product on the market but we also realize that since we are more like personalized consultants who help pond owners on a one-on-one basis and not really an official retail we feel it is important for us to also provide reviews and recommend other products for anyone looking for the best value. I've had my wife ask me many times if I was sure I was doing the right thing when I bought something online and so with that in mind I always let my clients and friends judge for themselves. We sell the pond and lake dyes that work well for us but pleas make up your own mind!