The best time to apply the binder for us up here is right after ice out when all the plants and the majority of phytoplankton has died and decomposed. That puts the highest amount of soluble P in the water. You really, really should apply enough so that the binder create flocculation. That way the P precipitates out and falls to the bottom of the pond.

Read the alum kicks clays butt threads. That gives you an idea how to apply it. Have some way to pond test water pH during application. Rex usually says 300# of alum and 150# of hydrated lime per acre foot of water. Too long of a process to re-type it here - look in the clearing turbid clay laden ponds for how to apply it. You cannot mix the two together and apply at the same time. Think of making Jello......