Agree or not, pools are the most difficult to clean and require effort to upkeep and maintain throughout the year. There are various ways of cleaning the pool. But if your pool is in such a state that none of the cleaning techniques are working, you are left with the last option, i.e., adding pool flocculant to your pool.
Often referred to as pool floc, flocculant is a chemical added to the pool as a last resort to clearing the pool. The process due to which fine particles clump together in a floc is known as flocculation. After clumping together, the floc might be floating on the top of the water or settled down at the bottom of the pond.
Flocculants are very useful in affecting the surface as well as reducing the rate of sedimentation. There are also flocculating agents used to form the flocculant. The flocculating agents are also used in papermaking, water treatment, and also in industrial waste treatment. The flocculant is used to remove substances in suspension and also clarifies the water.
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How Flocculants Differ from Clarifier?
You might have heard about pool clarifiers rather than the pool flocculant, as clarifiers are used more. The pool clarifier and the pool flocculant are coagulants, and the main difference between these two is the amount of time required by both the products to complete the respective work. The pool clarifier usually takes several days to clean up, but the pool flocculant immediately completes the work.
The dead algae and the suspended particles present in the pool are responsible for the cloudy pool water. The work of the clarifier or the flocculant is to gather the tiny particles which can be collected when it is flushed to waste. Few points will give you firm knowledge about how the flocculant is different from the clarifier.
First comes the pool clarifier. A pool clarifier is a coagulating agent that is mild. It also helps boost the cleaning capabilities of the filter by gathering the small dirt particles that form into a large particle, which makes it easy for the filter to trap. It is safer to use sand and cartridge filter systems, as the clarifier requires a pump to run continuously for at least the first 24 hours.
Though the clarifier is milder than the flocculant, the work rate is prolonged. The clarifier might take few days to clean the pool. If you have arranged some party at your home, including chilling in the pool, then a clarifier is not the solution as it has a very slow work rate.
Second is the pool flocculant, a pool flocculant can immediately complete the work, and it has a speedy working rate. The only problem is that it requires vacuuming as it can’t rely upon the pool filter to clean. The flocculants gather the dirt and form into large dirt’s which becomes so heavy that it can’t float, and it drops down at the bottom, which is cleared by the vacuum. Your pool will look very clean, and it will be ready for any party within a small range of time.
The flocculants are mild but not milder than the clarifier. However, they have an excellent vacuum that cleans it immediately. You might also lose some water as it uses its vacuum.
A flocculant should never meet, which has a clumping method that does not allow it to cause destruction. The flocculants are only suggested to use with filters only with the help of the bypass option. You have to use the floc with a cartridge system only if you bypass the filter.
What Is the Perfect Time of Using A Clarifier in Place of a Flocculant?
If you have arranged any pool party and the water is not clear, then a clarifier is not the solution as its work rate is very slow, but it is perfect for a pool flocculant as it will immediately clean the pool.
But if you are not in a hurry, you can use a pool clarifier as it is better as after pouring in the water, it will work on its own. Some disadvantages are that flocculants can’t work with cartridges, but it is not a problem for the clarifier.
Steps of Using A Flocculant in A Pool
There are few steps you must follow while applying a flocculant in a pool. These steps will help you to keep your pool clean. The steps are:
- You must raise the water level as you might lose some water during the process, so you should fill the pool at its highest level. In this way, you do not face any problem with the water falling below the filters, and during this process, your pump might help you keep the water level above.
- The flocculants can affect the pH value of the water, so you must balance the pH value to 7. If the pH value remains 7, then it might make the sanitizer keep working at maximum efficiency.
- You must read the instructions written on the bottle to know how much amount of water is required to add to the product for diluting it.
- In the next step, pour the flocculant, especially in the edges of the pool.
- You must run the poor pump for some hour as it will allow the flocculant to spread all over the pool.
- You must turn off the pump and let the flocculant do its job at night. For 8 hours, the water must stay still as it’s essential, and this time, the flocculant collects the waste.
- In the morning, when you will turn on the pump after 8 hours, you will notice that sediments are present at the bottom of the pool, and the sediments are formed in a giant ring-like shape. So, by turning 0n the pump, it will filter out the sediments.
- You must vacuum the bottom of the pool as sometimes after the filter leaves some sediment at the bottom.
- You must replace the water as during the vacuuming process you might lose some water.
- You also must backwash the whole filter well so you can remove the chemicals or sediments left in the filter.
Recommended Buys
#1 Pool Mate 1-2440-02 Dropdown Liquid Flocculant for Swimming Pools
The liquid flocculant gathers both organic and inorganic particles, which makes the water cloudy. The unwanted particles, when bound together, sink to the bottom of the pool, which makes it easier for a pool vacuum to clean the pool.
This product will be beneficial in flocculating the suspended particles from the pool. In cartridge filtered pools, the vacuum must have the capability of washing the pool for which this product must be appropriately used as a flocculant.
Pros:
- Clump the particles together
- Clears Cloudy Water
- Particles Sink to Floor of the pool for Easy Vacuuming.
Cons:
- You can’t add the flocculate at the middle of the pool, but you have to poor it at the edge.
#2 Baquacil 84398 Flocculant Swimming Pool Clarifier
BAQUACIL Flocculant is very useful in cleaning the cloudy water from the swimming pool. This pool care chemical is iron-free and easily cleans cloudy water. The municipal water authorities trust this flocculant; this flocculant will help clear the cloudy water and provide clean water for a long time.
Pros:
- Clarifies cloudy swimming pool water
- It has a chlorine-free formula, and it’s also iron-free
- It eliminates the water haze.
Cons:
- It is less in quantity.
Conclusion
The use of flocculants is an excellent way to clean the pool faster, but when you have time, only you can use the chemicals and vacuum the pool, which makes the water clean and clear.
If your pool has less cloudy water, you can use a pool clarifier as it has its way, but its work rate is very slow. When a pool clarifier is used, you can swim in the pool when it is doing its work, but for the complete result, you might have to wait for some days as you know its work rate is very slow.
If you want crystal clear water, you have two ways, you can use a clarifier, and you can also use a flocculant. It’s your choice, but we recommend that you choose the products wisely. If you choose it wisely, it is beneficial for you, and it can also keep your pool clean, and it also requires especially when you have arranged a party.