Benefits of Using a Surfactant

Have you been trying to curb the seemingly uncontrollable algae growth in your pond? Have you applied algaecides and herbicides but to no avail? Oftentimes, pond owners will take the product back to the store and return it thinking the product is ineffective. Many are unaware that the problem is not always the product, but may be the surface tension of the pond water.

Surface tension is composed of hydrogen bonds. These hydrogen molecules bind together and become difficult to separate. When the water reaches room temperature (70°F) the bond strengthens immensely, which oftentimes prevents algaecides and herbicides from penetrating fully beneath the surface - this is where a surfactant is most helpful. A surfactant will lessen the surface tension thus allowing the algaecide and herbicide to go beneath the surface.

Here are a few benefits of using a surfactant….

·         Weakens hydrogen bonds enabling treatment beneath surface

·         “Wets” cell wall of Algae – “Wetting” splits open cell walls of algae and other aquatic plants helping to kill algae and other unwanted aquatic plants

·         Treats floating, emerged weeds, and surface algae

 An algae free, clear, and healthy pond does provide many benefits. Using a surfactant as an addendum to our algaecides is commonly done, if you want a more sure method to rid your pond of algae, read our ‘Control Algae’ page.