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EPA approves product for controlling invasive mussels

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Soundbounder, Mar 13, 2012.

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  1. Soundbounder, Mar 13, 2012
    #1
    Soundbounder

    Soundbounder New Member

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    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved Marrone Bio Innovations' dry formulation of Zequanox, a biological product for controlling invasive mussels within enclosed systems and infrastructures, the company said.

    “Zequanox is the first biopesticide available for controlling invasive zebra and quagga mussels, which are crippling industrial and commercial operations by restricting water flow in heat exchangers, condensers, fire suppression systems, and service and cooling water systems, as well as by damaging other infrastructure and equipment,” Marrone Bio Innovations said in a statement.

    EPA approves product for controlling invasive mussels

    We'll see ;)
  2. C4ENG, Mar 13, 2012
    #2
    C4ENG

    C4ENG Senior Member

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    Killing muscles in the system is not hard to do. You still need to clean them out manually or eat them with an acid (which is not always good to do). If you just kill them, they will dislodge and really clog up every thing. The article was very short and did not explain if it prevents future growth. Prevention is key in that situation.
  3. K1W1, Mar 13, 2012
    #3
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Cathelco Systems still seem to be able to cope with these fellas pretty well.
  4. chesapeake46, May 18, 2020
    #4
    chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    To revive an old thread.
    https://evac.com/solutions/marine-growth-prevention/technology/
    Thanks for that info.

    We now have quagga or zebra mussels in our marina.
    In searching here I found a couple threads on mussels.
    These threads are 8 or more years old and I wondered if any of you have found a good solution or newer technology to solve the mussel problem.

    The Cathelco solution is interesting and I am going to follow up on that insofar as location and size of the anodes.
    I do not have sea strainers on this boat but a screen ahead of the intake on the hull only.
    There is a pretty limited space for a strainer after the ball valve
    It is already tight in there.

    We run the boat every weekend which may help the situation.
    It does help with barnacles on the running gear and I've never put anything on my shafts & wheels
    I get a few barnacles towards the end of the summer that are easily scraped off.
    When I haul out in the fall, there are a few up near the shaft log and the tabs get them pretty regularly.
    Never had the mussel problem before now tho.

    I did find this link https://www.060bio.com/dock-disk/
    I have not found any information on these things other than the advertisers reviews which are viewed with a hairy eyeball.
    Might help with running gear but doubtful in the engine cooling system.

    I wonder if block heaters would raise the temperature above the 104*F threshold tolerance & keep them from growing inside the engine cooling system.
    I don't have block heaters at the moment but that would be a simple solution inside.
    Or even a heat tape along the raw water lines that is energized when the boat is at rest ?

    In the mean time has anyone found a different solution ?

    These little mussels have grown at an unbelievable rate in the marina.
    It is still unclear how much salinity these things can withstand.
    We have had two really wet mild winters and the salt line has stayed pretty low in the bay.
    I imagine this has something to do with the wild growth I see now.
  5. NYCAP123, May 18, 2020
    #5
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    From my reading it sounds like this is more suitable for power plants and irrigation system which pull from smaller bodies of water than for boats and open waters like the Great Lakes. I think those zebra mussels will be around for a long time to come.