Flocculants

The use of flocculants is an extremely helpful method to make cloudy water clear again and to optimally support the performance of the sand filter system. Flocculants bind tiny, non-filterable suspended particles in the pool water, which increase in size and become filterable.

Expedients: Flocculant

Flocculants are used to remove and prevent water turbidity and increase the cleaning performance of a sand filter system. Due to their microscopic size, even the smallest dirt cannot be cleaned by the filter system. The smallest particles do not sink to the ground and therefore escape from the sand filter. Flocculants support the sand filter system by causing microscopic particles to combine, which become filterable as their size increases. Flocculants thus also help to prevent algae growth, as the smallest dirt particles promote algae growth. The aqua correct products from Steinbach are produced in Austria, tested according to strict quality standards and are ideally suited for optimal water treatment.

Flocculation

The use of flocculants cause the connection - the so-called flocculation - of finest dirt particles, which are responsible for the turbidity of the pool water. Flocculants initiate the fusion and thus the increase in size and volume of the microscopic suspended particles, which subsequently sink to the bottom. The sand filter can easily remove the fused dirt particles due to the enlarged particles.

The effect of flocculant is strongly related to the correct pH value of 7.0 to 7.4. If the value is too low or too high, the flocculants lose their effect. Before using flocculants, it is therefore essential to measure the pH value beforehand and to correct it upwards or downwards if necessary.

Flocculants are available both in liquid form and as so-called flock cartridges. Flock cartridges contain flocculants in tablet form, which dissolve slowly and thus release the flocculant over a longer period of several days. The flock cartridge or the liquid flocculant is best placed or added directly into the skimmer or into the pre-filter.

On average, one to two cartridges are needed per week to prevent clouding of the bath water.

Note for milky pool water

If the pool water turns milky, lime has precipitated and there are unfiltered flock particles in the pool. As always, set the ideal pH value to 7.2 by adding a pH reducer or pH booster. If flocculated suspended matter is present, switch off the circulation system and after about 10-12 hours, use the vacuum pool cleaner to remove the flocs deposited on the floor. Lime precipitations in the pool water (turbidity, shimmering white coating on the water surface etc.) usually disappear shortly after adjusting the pH value to 7.2 and by adding a flocculant while the filter system is running. Thoroughly backwash the filter system. Clean the cartridge filter or replace it with a new one.

Note

Flocculants are only suitable for sand filter systems and not for cartridge filters.

ATTENTION!

After adding flocculant, the pressure of the sand filter system can increase for a short time, as many dirt particles enter the filter at once due to flocculation. Observe the pressure increase and carry out backwashing if necessary. As with all chemical aids, please observe the warning instructions.