Sonar RTU Ready-To-Use Aquatic Weed Herbicide

Whole-Pond Weed Control Without Mixing or Spray Equipment

Sonar® RTU is built for pond owners who want systemic aquatic weed control without preparing a spray solution or using specialized application equipment. Its ready-to-use 3.79% fluridone formulation is poured directly into open water, where it disperses through the pond and is absorbed by susceptible aquatic plants.

This is a gradual whole-pond program, not a fast contact burn-down. Treated plants may begin to turn white or wilt in about 3 to 6 weeks, and the product must remain in contact with target weeds for at least 45 days. Sonar® RTU is therefore best suited to natural or man-made ponds with little or no outflow and enough water retention to complete the Day 1, Day 21, and Day 42 application schedule.

Key Features & Benefits

Ready-to-use 3.79% fluridone liquid

No dilution or spray tank is required. Shake, measure, and pour directly into open water.

Systemic whole-plant action

Fluridone is absorbed by susceptible weeds and works through the plant rather than only removing visible top growth.

Three-step treatment schedule

Day 1, Day 21, and Day 42 applications support sustained exposure and longer-term control.

Low-outflow pond fit

Designed for natural or man-made ponds that can retain the treatment through the required contact period.

32 fl oz bottle

Each bottle equals 1 quart for straightforward quantity and staged-application planning.

Normal pond recreation can continue

There are no fishing, swimming, or livestock/pet consumption restrictions when used according to the label. Irrigation restrictions still apply.

Is Sonar® RTU the Right Fit for Your Pond?

Sonar® RTU is a strong fit when

• The pond has little or no outflow and can hold the treatment for at least 45 days.
• Susceptible weeds are distributed through much of the pond and whole-water treatment makes sense.
• You can measure the pond’s surface acreage and complete all three scheduled applications.
• The target is a label-listed aquatic weed such as duckweed, hydrilla, coontail, elodea, naiad, pondweed, milfoil, or water-lily.

Confirm another approach when

• Water moves rapidly through the site or repeated dilution is likely.
• Only a small isolated patch needs treatment or a rapid contact response is required.
• Pond size, average depth, target plant, irrigation use, or permit requirements are not confirmed.
• The problem is algae, an unidentified plant, watermeal, or a species not listed on the label.

Aquatic Weeds Controlled and Partially Controlled

Controlled by Sonar® RTU

• Bladderwort
• Common coontail
• Common duckweed
• Egeria or Brazilian elodea
• Common elodea
• Fanwort or Cabomba
• Hydrilla
• Naiad
• Paragrass
• Most pondweeds
• Spatterdock
• Most watermilfoils
• Water-lily

Partially Controlled by Sonar® RTU

• Alligatorweed
• American lotus
• Barnyardgrass
• Cattail
• Giant cutgrass
• Limnophila
• Parrotfeather
• Illinois pondweed
• Reed canarygrass
• Salvinia
• Smartweed
• Southern watergrass
• Spikerush
• Tapegrass or American eelgrass
• Torpedograss
• Variable-leaf watermilfoil
• Creeping waterprimrose
• Waterpurslane

Watermeal caution

The specimen label includes a higher-rate schedule for partial control of common watermeal, but SePRO’s current consumer guidance states that Sonar® RTU is not for watermeal treatment. Do not select or apply this product for watermeal without direct technical confirmation from SePRO or NewTechBio.

Sonar® RTU Directions for Use

Use this three-step general aquatic weed-control schedule for ponds with an average water depth of 4–6 feet and little or no outflow. Match the pond’s surface area below, then apply the listed amount on Day 1, Day 21, and Day 42. One 32 fl oz bottle equals 1 quart.

↔ Swipe left or right to view all application columns. The Pond Size column remains fixed.

Average-depth requirement

These amounts apply to ponds averaging 4–6 feet deep. For a pond with a different average depth, use the product label or contact NewTechBio before determining quantity.

Application schedule

Shake well, measure the listed amount, and pour directly into open water on Day 1, Day 21, and Day 42.

Label reminder

Sonar® RTU must remain in contact with target weeds for at least 45 days. Review the product label before application for complete directions, seasonal maximums, irrigation restrictions, permit requirements, environmental precautions, and use-site limitations.

How to Apply Sonar® RTU

1. Identify the target plantConfirm that the problem is a label-listed aquatic weed rather than algae or an unidentified species.
2. Measure the pondDetermine total surface acreage and average water depth before selecting a treatment quantity.
3. Check site conditionsConfirm little or no outflow, review irrigation use, and determine whether a permit or notification is required.
4. Shake, measure, and pourUse label-required protection, measure the Day 1 amount, and pour it directly into open water at one or multiple locations.
5. Repeat on scheduleApply the listed second dose on Day 21 and the third dose on Day 42.
6. Protect the contact periodAvoid conditions that rapidly dilute or move treated water, and follow all label restrictions through the full program.

Sonar® RTU Compared With Other Aquatic Herbicide Formats

Compare the application style, planning method, best-fit use case, and primary tradeoff of each format before selecting a treatment program.

Form

Ready-to-use liquid with 3.79% fluridone

Application style

Shake, measure, and pour directly into open water

Best fit

Smaller whole-pond programs in ponds with little or no outflow

Dosing basis

Surface acreage and the Day 1, Day 21, and Day 42 schedule

Response profile

Gradual systemic control; whitening or wilting may begin in about 3 to 6 weeks

Primary tradeoff

Low equipment burden, but product volume increases quickly as pond size increases

Form

Concentrated liquid fluridone formulation

Application style

Precisely measured liquid distributed through the treatment area

Best fit

Custom whole-waterbody programs where concentrated liquid dosing is preferred

Dosing basis

Target concentration, average depth, and treatment acreage

Response profile

Gradual systemic control that develops over time

Primary tradeoff

More concentrated and flexible, but requires more precise treatment planning

Form

Broadcast fluridone pellet

Application style

Pellets are broadcast into defined treatment areas

Best fit

Programs where pellet placement and pounds-based planning are useful

Dosing basis

Target concentration, average depth, and treatment acreage

Response profile

Gradual systemic control that develops over time

Primary tradeoff

Useful placement characteristics, but requires accurate broadcast coverage

Form

Varies by active ingredient and formulation

Application style

Usually mixed and sprayed onto target growth

Best fit

Spot treatment or situations where a faster visible response is a priority

Dosing basis

Varies by product label, target species, and treatment area

Response profile

Often produces faster visible injury than a systemic fluridone program

Primary tradeoff

Faster visible knockdown may not provide the same gradual whole-water systemic program

Why Choose Sonar® RTU?

Lower application burden

No dilution, spray tank, specialized spray equipment, or boat is required.

Systemic whole-pond control

Fluridone works gradually through susceptible plants and roots instead of only removing visible top growth.

Clear staged program

Day 1, Day 21, and Day 42 dosing creates a defined treatment plan.

Water-use flexibility

Fishing, swimming, and livestock or pet consumption are not restricted when the product is used according to the label. Irrigation restrictions still apply.