What is Alum?
Aluminum Sulfate (Al2(SO4)3)is commonly called “ALUM.” This product is commonly used as a coagulating agent in municipal waste waters for clarity and phosphate control. It is also used in paper making, as a food chemical in pickling and as a “Styptic Pencil” for superficial shaving cuts.
The Aluminum cations (Al +3) bond with phosphate anions (PO4 -3) in the water. The resulting Aluminum Phosphate (AlPO4) is insoluble in water. This precipitate settles to the bottom of the pond and the phosphate is no longer available as a nutrient.
Also, the Aluminum ions act to agglomerate suspended dirt particles leaving the fish pond water sparkling clear.
PHOSCLEAR® is not an aquatic herbicide. It is a water treatment product intended to improve water quality by removing soluble phosphate from the water column and by precipitating out suspended dirt particles to clarify the pond or lake.
How is PHOSCLEAR® different from Standard Alum?
Standard Alum is quite acidic and a large dose to a pond will lower the pH of the water. It the pond drops below pH of 6, fish can be harmed or killed. The buffering agent in PHOSCLEAR® works to hold the pH steady.
We recommend that you take a water sample and perform full tests for pond water chemistry (Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites and pH) before treating with PHOSCLEAR®.
PHOSCLEAR® quickly disappears and goes to work
Photos of an actual PHOSCLEAR® buffered aluminum sulfate treatment. The photos show elapsed time after addition of 3 cups (1.5lbs of PHOSCLEAR® to a 5500 gallon Koi pond. )
Fish Density Calculator
Over the 15 years that we have sold PHOSCLEAR®, we have seen many ponds with water quality products caused by having too many fish. What’s the correct or the maximum amount of fish for your pond?
1. Calculate Pond Volume (Surface Area X Average Depth)
Determine the square footage of your pond’s surface area by measuring the length and the width and then multiply the two numbers. Once you determine the average depth, you can use this calculator to determine water volume: https://phosclear.com/calculate-your-water-volume
The general rule of thumb is no more than 1 inch of fish for every 10 gallons of water volume. So, if your pond volume is 4000 gallons, then 4000 ÷ 10 = 400 inches of fish. That equals a maximum of 400 inches of an adult, fully grown fish. (And fish length is measured from the nose to the base of the tail fin… not the end tip of the fin.)
2. Allow Room to Grow
Remember that small fish grow rapidly – particularly in a large pond with few fish. Anticipate this growth and don’t add the full limit “Inches of Fish” at the beginning. You should also make the choice between (a) a pond with a few, very large fish or (b) a pond with many smaller fish. Keeping fewer fish than allowed also offers better water quality and fewer water problems down the road.
3. Add More Fish Gradually
Whether adding young fishlings or adults, add just a few at a time. This depends on water volume for the pond and how much “head space” the pond has before reaching the maximum for stock. Another benefit of this gradual addition is that the pond’s natural bacterial population has an opportunity to grown and gradually adjust to the new residents.
Additional Information
