Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Muddy water Need Alum

I have been stumped locally in finding alum in other than the little 4 pound gardening bags. Does anyone know where I can find 50 pounds or so? I need to clear my very very muddy sediment pond. When it runs over, it muddies the pond below it. It's only about 20,000 gallons, or .062 acre feet. I don't want to kill the healthy minnow population in it. I will mix the alum with quicklime, which I can get.

I don't want to have to buy it in the tiny bags at an unreasonable price.

Surely you dont need 50lbs?

Here's 50 lbs delivered for $90
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Sulfate-Al2-SO4-3-Minimum-99-pure-50LB-BAG/272649662458?hash=item3f7b2faffa:g:bZcAAOSwL7pa-gej

Here's 20 lbs delivered for $48
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Sulfate-99-PURE-MIN-20-pounds-2-x-10lb-Bags/282587554651?hash=item41cb87e35b:g:jZYAAOSwveNePIdL

Or is it worth your time to drive to Springfield MO?

by quicklime I assume you mean hydrated lime?

I found a local mom and pop feed and garden store that can get me a 50 pound bag of powdered alum for $20. Getting it later this week. I'll mix 10 pounds of hydrated lime with 20 pounds of alum and try that first. Does that sound like a correct ratio?

I also have been having a hard time finding Alum locally, so thank you for the EBay links. I ordered a bag immediately.

I think I'll be able to source the Calcium hydroxide locally at hardware stores.

/c

That's a great price. I might consider driving the 2 hours.

I have seen several remarks that you don't want to mix the lime and alum in the same batch - it can turn to a thick sludge. Spray your alum then follow up with the hydrated lime.

I need more guidance on that...wouldn't the alum shock the fish too much, changing the pH rapidly, before I could apply the quicklime?

It will depend on your water - IIRC the higher the alkalinity the better it will buffer the pH drop. re-do your bucket test and monitor the pH change for an idea of how it effects your water. I plan to monitor pH and switch to lime when it drops 1.0 point, then back to alum

PM sent to you

Would someone please post the source mentioned above located in Springfield, Mo.?

I also have a very muddy sediment pond. Be sure you know why it's muddy! I assumed mine was due to bullhead and pumped it down with a screen on the intake pipe. Once it was low I threw a net 30+ times... Hundreds of crayfish! Not 1 bullhead.
It may be obvious but take a jar, bucket or jug full of water and set it aside. If it settles you have something stirring the bottom.