Thanks Chris! My head still hurts from the last post!

One other thing to note about alum---DO NOT USE ALUM IF THE PH IS 6.0 OR LESS!!!! Above 6.0 the aluminum falls to the bottom with the floc and cannot dissolve.

Going fairly heavy on the alum dose CAN provide benefits. But this is not generally recommended.

Some of the benefits include....

First, it will cause the suspended clay and algae to form bigger and heavier clumps and clear much faster. The bigger clumps are also much less likly to re-suspend.

Second. Excess alum will bind to any Phosphorus(sp) which in turn will reduce FA growth. This may also reduce desirable plant growth too.

Third. Alum will usually be needed in concentrations that kill snails.

Fourth. A heavier concentration will leave the water "positively" charged and will floc any negatively charged clay entering the water column until the charge is neutrilezed.

As for long term benefits, to quote Bill Cody< that all depends. Some studies show alum working for 15 years, others say there is NO risidual effect. I think the bottom line is that you will need to prevent any new clay from entering the pond or else it will be an ongoing problem. If the original dose is adequate, the clay already in the pond will usually not re-suspend.