Flocculation is a general term used to define a process in which individual particles are aggregated together, for the purpose of settling them to the bottom of a pond to create clear pond water. Flocculation and Coagulation imply different mechanisms.
COAGULATION
In ponds, some mud and clay colloidal particles do not have enough weight to settle to the bottom. They remain suspended in the water column for extended periods of time and create murky water. Coagulation water treatment is the process of adding salts to the water, to reduce, neutralize or invert the electrical repulsion between. Most common coagulants are mineral salts.
FLOCCULATON
Flocculation water treatment is the process of settling suspended particles in pond water, to eliminate the murky water they have created. Flocculants are used to bind these particles together, making them heavy enough to sink to the bottom of the pond. Flocculation uses the action of polymeric materials to form bridges between the individual particles. Bridging occurs when segments of a polymer chain “adsorb” on different particles, causing these particles to aggregate. These aggregated particles eventually become heavy enough to settle to the bottom of the pond. An “anionic” flocculant will usually react against positively charged particles, such as salts and metallic hydroxides. A “cationic” flocculant will react against negatively charged particles such as silica or organic wastes. However, these rules are not all inclusive. For example, some negatively charged anionic flocculants can agglomerate clays which are negatively charged. There are three primary groups of flocculants:
MINERAL FLOCCULANTS
Colloidal substances, where adsorption and charge neutralization of particles play some part in the flocculation.
NATURAL FLOCCULANTS
Water soluble anionic, cationic, or non-ionic polymers, which adsorb on suspended particles.
SYNTHETIC FLOCCULANTS
Polymers that form bridging between particles.
Many flocculants and coagulants are very effective at settling particles but may not be safe for fish or other aquatic life. Some will clog gills and cause fish kill. Make sure to do your research, prior to using flocculants or coagulants to clear pond water.
There are much safer and easier products to apply than flocculants and coagulants. Beneficial pond bacteria products like Aqua-Vive have become the ideal choice for natural pond maintenance. Aqua-Vive is a 100% natural pond clarifier that contains beneficial pond bacteria, which utilize dead and decaying grass clippings, leaves, dead algae, and other plant debris as their food sources. So, instead of settling these organic wastes to the bottom of the pond like flocculants do, to create clear water, the pond bacteria in Aqua-Vive actually consume and eliminate these organic wastes, thereby eliminating the murky water created by them in the first place. Aqua-Vive even takes things one step farther and eliminates the bottom-sludge (muck) as well, since the muck layer is nothing more than the accumulation of organic wastes over time. So, why settle for sinking the organic wastes to the bottom of the pond, when Aqua-Vive can completely remove them?
Aqua-Vive is not only the most comprehensive pond clarifier, since it clears up murky water and removes the bottom muck, but it is also one of the safest pond maintenance products, since it cleans pond water the natural way!
Aqua-Vive is quick, easy to use, and does not require an aquatic applicators license to apply, because it is not a chemical pesticide! Pond owners now have a choice. They can enjoy natural pond maintenance with Aqua-Vive, instead of using toxic chemicals. This becomes very important in farm ponds used for fishing or swimming, where the use of chemicals is not a consideration.
