What is the Difference Between Algaecide and Clarifier

The key difference between algaecide and clarifier is that algaecide is a substance that we can spray into the water to clarify water by removing algae, whereas clarifier is a tank that allows the contaminants in water to settle to the bottom of the tank, allowing the removal of the contaminants from a liquid.

There are different methods we can use to remove contaminants from liquids such as water. Using algae and clarifiers are two of those methods. Algaecide is a biocide that is useful in killing and preventing the growth of algae, while clarifier is a settling tank important in removing solids that are deposited through sedimentation.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is an Algaecide 
3. What is a Clarifier
4. Algaecide vs Clarifier in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Algaecide vs Clarifier 

What is an Algaecide?

Algaecide can be defined as a biocide that is useful in killing and preventing the growth of algae. There are natural algaecides that can be found in nature, for example, barley straw. In England, people used barley straw placed in mesh bags and floated them in fish ponds or water gardens to reduce algae growth. Since this is a natural method, it does not harm any plants in the pond as well as the animals in the pond. Although barley straw is not recommended as an algaecide by US Environmental protection Agency, it is still used as a traditional method of controlling algae. It is not recommended for use because its use has shown mixed results during tests.

There are different synthetic algaecides as well. Bethoxazin, copper sulfate, cybutryne, dichlone, dichlorophen, diuron, endothal, fentin, hydrated lime, and simazine are some examples of algaecides. Generally, these products are useful as sprays; they are directly sprayed into a water body to control algae growth.

What is a Clarifier?

Clarifiers can be defined as settling tanks that are important in removing solids that are deposited through sedimentation. We can use a clarifier for the continuous removal of solids because these tanks are built with mechanical means to get this desired work done. Generally, we use these tanks to remove solid particulates or suspended solids from liquid. This is helpful in clarification and the thickening of the liquid.

Solid contaminants tend to settle down to the bottom of the tank. Therefore, we can collect the solids using a scraper mechanism. We call the concentrated sediment at the bottom of the clarifier as sludge. However, there can still be floating contaminants known as scum, and we need some other method for the separation of these contaminants.

There are different applications of clarifiers, including pretreatment, potable water treatment, wastewater treatment, and mining.

What is the Difference Between Algaecide and Clarifier?

There are different methods we can use to remove contaminants from liquids such as water. Using algae and clarifiers are two of those methods. The key difference between algaecide and clarifier is that algaecide is a substance that we can spray into the water to clarify water by removing algae, whereas clarifier is a tank that allows the contaminants in water to settle to the bottom of the tank allowing the removal of the contaminants from a liquid.

Below is a summary of the difference between algaecide and clarifier in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Algaecide vs Clarifier

Algaecides and clarifiers are two different methods we can use to clarify liquids, mainly water. The key difference between algaecide and clarifier is that algaecide is a substance that we can spray into the water to remove algae, whereas clarifier is a tank that allows the contaminants in water to settle to the bottom of the tank allowing the removal of the contaminants from a liquid.

Reference:

1. “Clarifiers ” Ecologix Systems.” Ecologix Systems.

Image Courtesy:

1.  “Aquaticplantbook algicide” By K90 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Wastewater Clarifiers” By Roen Wainscoat – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia