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BioGuard PowerFloc 1 Qt. | Pool Flocculant

SKU: 23717BIO
$30.99

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Description

BioGuard PowerFlocĀ is a very powerfulĀ flocculantĀ for excessively cloudy water — the kind where you can't see the drain in the deep end. It works by a different route than a clarifier, and understanding that difference is the whole key to using it.

A clarifier gathers fine particles into slightly larger clumps so yourĀ filterĀ can catch them. It's gradual, it's gentle, and the material leaves through the media over a day or two. A flocculant goes much further: it binds particles into massesĀ heavy enough to sink, dropping everything to the pool floor as a visible layer of sediment. ThenĀ you vacuum it out to waste.

That makes PowerFloc the fastest option available for badly cloudy water, and the most labor-intensive. Overnight settling, then a slow careful vacuum, then water to replace what you removed. In exchange you get clear water in about a day instead of several.

It's built for the situations that produce genuinely bad water fast:Ā after a rainstormĀ that dumped runoff and debris into the pool, orĀ after a period when the pump wasn't running — an equipment failure, a power outage, or a week away on vacation. It has a useful property in those cases:Ā the greater the amount of debris in the water, the faster it works. Heavy particle loads give the flocculant more to bind to, so the worst pools respond fastest.

For extremely cloudy pools where the drain isn't visible in the deep end, the label supportsĀ double the normal dosage.

Pro Tip:Ā Vacuum to waste, never through the filter — this is the single most important rule with any flocculant, and getting it wrong turns one problem into two. Flocculated sediment is far more material than filter media can handle at once. Run it through the filter and you pack the media solid: pressure spikes, flow collapses, and now you have a cloudy poolĀ andĀ a filter that needs a full teardown cleaning before anything else will work. Set your multiport toĀ wasteĀ orĀ drainĀ before the vacuum head goes in the water, and confirm it before you start. If your filter has no waste setting, this product isn't the right choice for your pool.

Brand

BioGuardĀ®

What's in the Box
  • 1 x BioGuard PowerFloc, 1 quart (32 fl oz) bottle
  • Full manufacturer label with dosing rates and the full application procedure

Note on quantity:Ā at 8 fl oz per 10,000 gallons, one quart treats up toĀ 40,000 gallonsĀ at the normal rate — enough for most residential pools with margin. At the double rate for extremely cloudy water, one quart covers 20,000 gallons.

Key Features

Clears Cloudy Water Fast

The quickest route from badly cloudy to clear — overnight settling rather than days of filtration.

Combines Small Particles Into Large Particles

Binds fine suspended material into masses substantial enough that gravity does the rest.

Settles Suspended Particles to the Bottom

Drops the entire particle load onto the pool floor as a visible layer, where it can be vacuumed out and removed from the water completely.

Works Faster the Dirtier the Water Is

Heavy debris loads give the flocculant more material to bind to, so the worst pools respond fastest — the opposite of how most treatments behave.

Makes Water Sparkling Clear

Removing the full particle load at once produces clarity that gradual filtration takes far longer to reach.

Improves Filtration Efficiency

Pulling the bulk of suspended material out by vacuum means the filter isn't fighting a load it was never sized for.

Double Dose for Extreme Cases

For pools so cloudy the drain isn't visible in the deep end, the label supports doubling the normal rate.

Ideal After Storms and Pump Outages

Purpose-suited to the situations that produce bad water quickly — heavy rain, runoff, or a stretch with no circulation.

How It Works

Cloudy water is suspended particles — fine silt, dead algae, pollen, precipitated minerals, organic debris. Individually they're invisible; collectively they scatter light, and that scattering is the haze you see.

Those particles carry a slightĀ negative electrical charge, which makes them repel one another and stay evenly dispersed. That repulsion is why cloudy water stays cloudy rather than settling out on its own, and why a pool can circulate for days without clearing.

PowerFloc neutralizes that repulsion and bridges between particles, binding them into progressively larger clusters.Ā How large they get is what separates a flocculant from a clarifier.

AĀ clarifierĀ builds clusters just big enough for filter media to capture. The material leaves through the filter over a day or two, gradually.

AĀ flocculantĀ builds them far larger — dense enough that gravity overcomes suspension and they sink. That's why the procedure calls for turning the pumpĀ offĀ and leaving the pool undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours. Circulation would keep the masses suspended; stillness lets them fall.

The result is the entire particle load sitting on the pool floor rather than distributed through the water. That's a dramatic and fast improvement — and it's also whyĀ vacuuming to waste is mandatory. The sediment on the floor is more material than your filter media can absorb. Running it through the filter packs the media, spikes pressure, and collapses flow.

The "works faster with more debris" behavior follows from the bridging mechanism. Flocculation depends on particles finding each other and linking up. In a heavily loaded pool, particles are close together and collisions are frequent, so masses build quickly. In lightly cloudy water there's less to bind, and the process is slower and less complete — which is part of why a clarifier is the better tool for mild haze.

Two boundaries worth stating.Ā PowerFloc will not kill algae.Ā It facilitates removal of dead algae after an algae treatment, but a living bloom needs shock and an algaecide first. AndĀ it isn't a sanitizer or a balancer — if your water is cloudy because chlorine failed or pH is far out of range, fix that first or the cloudiness returns.

Pro Tip:Ā Watch the pH twice, because the target changes partway through. The label calls for adjusting pH toĀ 7.5–8.0 before application — higher than the normal swimming range, because flocculation works best in slightly alkaline water. Then after vacuuming, step 10 calls for bringing pH back to the normalĀ 7.2–7.6. Skipping the first adjustment means weaker flocculation and incomplete settling; skipping the second leaves the pool sitting high, where chlorine loses effectiveness and scale forms more readily. Two adjustments, two different targets, and both are on the label for a reason.

Directions for Use

Dosage Reference

  • Normal rate:Ā 8 fl oz per 10,000 gallons
  • Extremely cloudy pools — where you cannot see the drain in the deep part of the pool — use double the normal dosage
  • Dilution method, if needed:Ā 8 fl oz of PowerFloc per 1 gallon of water

Clearing Cloudy Water

  1. Shake well before use.
  2. Check the filter andĀ backwash or clean itĀ if necessary.
  3. Adjust pH to 7.5–8.0Ā for best results.
  4. Use at a rate ofĀ 8 fl oz per 10,000 gallons.
  5. Remove the skimmer basket and any product in the skimmer.Ā Pour PowerFloc slowly into the skimmer with the pump on and the filter valve in theĀ recirculate or whirlpool position. Replace the skimmer basket after applying.
  6. Allow the pump toĀ circulate water for 2 hoursĀ to distribute PowerFloc throughout the pool.
  7. Shut off the pump.Ā Let PowerFloc settle debris to the bottom while the pool remainsĀ undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours, usually overnight.
  8. Vacuum all settled debris with the filter in waste or drain mode.
  9. Backwash and clean the filter with an appropriate filter cleaner, then resume the normal filter cycle.
  10. Check pH and readjust if needed to 7.2–7.6.

For Filters Without a Recirculate Position

  1. Backwash the filter.
  2. With the filter in theĀ filterĀ position, dilute PowerFloc in a large plastic pail of water at a rate ofĀ 8 fl oz of PowerFloc per 1 gallon of water.
  3. Always add PowerFloc to water, never water to PowerFloc.
  4. Apply the diluted solution evenly over the surface of the pool.
  5. Continue with the circulation, settling, and vacuuming steps above.

For Water With Algae

  1. PowerFloc will not kill algae, but it facilitates the removal of dead algae after treatment.
  2. Treat the algae first with an appropriate algaecide and shock, following the directions on those product labels.
  3. After the algae treatment is complete per that label, follow steps 1 through 8 above for cloudy water.

Vacuuming Notes

  • Vacuum slowly.Ā Moving the head quickly stirs settled sediment back into suspension and undoes the overnight wait.
  • Settling may continue for several daysĀ if new debris is introduced by wind or rain. If so, vacuum to waste again.
  • Vacuuming to waste removes pool water along with the sediment — have a hose ready to top off, and watch that the level doesn't drop below the skimmer.
  • Fresh fill water dilutes everything. Retest and rebalance sanitizer, pH, alkalinity, and hardness after you've finished.

Storage and Handling

  • Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, out of direct sunlight and protected from freezing
  • Keep the container tightly closed and clearly labeled
  • Store separately from sanitizers, acids, and oxidizers
  • Keep out of reach of children and pets
  • Read and follow all label precautions, first aid, and disposal directions before use

Pro Tip:Ā Plan the whole job before you pour, because a flocculant has a fixed timeline you can't shortcut. Two hours of circulation, thenĀ 12 to 24 hours of complete stillness — no pump, no swimmers, no cleaning — then a slow vacuum to waste that can take an hour or more on a badly loaded pool. Start it on a Friday evening and you're vacuuming Saturday morning. Start it Saturday afternoon and you've lost the weekend. Also line up what comes after: a filter cleaner for step 9, a hose to replace the water you vacuum out, and test strips to rebalance at the end. It's a genuinely effective treatment, but it's a project rather than a dose.

Specifications
  • Brand:Ā BioGuard
  • Product Type:Ā Pool flocculant
  • Form:Ā Liquid
  • Volume:Ā 1 quart (32 fl oz)
  • Manufacturer Part Number:Ā 23717BIO
  • Normal Dosage:Ā 8 fl oz per 10,000 gallons
  • Extreme Cloudiness Dosage:Ā Double the normal rate
  • Coverage per Bottle:Ā Up to 40,000 gallons at the normal rate
  • Dilution Method:Ā 8 fl oz per 1 gallon of water — always add product to water
  • pH Before Application:Ā 7.5–8.0
  • pH After Treatment:Ā Readjust to 7.2–7.6
  • Circulation After Application:Ā 2 hours
  • Settling Time:Ā 12–24 hours with the pump off and the pool undisturbed
  • Debris Removal:Ā Vacuum to waste or drain mode — never through the filter
  • Application Method:Ā Pour slowly into the skimmer with the filter valve in recirculate, or apply diluted over the pool surface
  • Filter Requirement:Ā A waste or drain setting is essential
  • Algae:Ā Does not kill algae; aids removal of dead algae after treatment
  • Sanitizer Compatibility:Ā Chlorine, bromine, salt generator, and mineral systems
  • Suitable Surfaces:Ā Plaster, gunite, vinyl liner, fiberglass, painted
  • Not A Substitute For:Ā Sanitizer, algaecide, or water balancing
  • Shipping Classification:Ā DOT-regulated — ground shipping only
Compatibility

Filter Requirements

  • A waste or drain setting is essential.Ā Settled debris must be vacuumed out of the pool, not through the filter.
  • Multiport valve filters — ideal; recirculate position for application, waste position for vacuuming
  • Filters without a recirculate position — the label provides an alternative application method using a dilution bucket
  • Cartridge filters without a waste option — a flocculant is generally the wrong choice. Use a clarifier instead, or plan to vacuum manually to waste another way.

Pool Types and Surfaces

  • In-ground and above-ground pools
  • Plaster, gunite, vinyl liner, fiberglass, and painted surfaces

Sanitizer Programs

  • Compatible with chlorine, bromine, salt chlorine generator, and mineral system pools

Flocculant Versus Clarifier

  • A clarifierĀ gathers particles for theĀ filterĀ to remove. Gradual, low effort, no water loss. Best for mild haze and routine clarity maintenance.
  • A flocculantĀ drops particles to theĀ floorĀ for you to vacuum to waste. Fast, labor-intensive, and costs you water. Best for excessively cloudy water where speed matters.
  • An enzyme clarifierĀ breaks down dissolved organic waste that neither of the above can gather. Best for swamp-like water with a heavy oil and organic load.
  • These are complementary tools for different severities, not competing products.

When to Choose PowerFloc

  • Water is excessively cloudy — you can't see the bottom clearly
  • After a rainstorm that washed runoff and debris into the pool
  • After the pump has been off for an extended period
  • Returning from vacation to a pool that's gone hazy
  • After an algae treatment, to remove the dead algae left behind
  • You need the pool usable quickly and can commit to the vacuuming

What It Does Not Do

  • Will not kill algae.Ā It facilitates removal of dead algae after treatment, but a living bloom needs shock and an algaecide first.
  • Not a sanitizer.Ā Provides no disinfection.
  • Not a balancer.Ā Cloudiness from high pH or calcium hardness needs those values corrected.
  • Not a filter aid.Ā The material is removed by vacuum, not by the filter.

Important Handling Cautions

  • Shake well before use.
  • Always add PowerFloc to water — never water to PowerFloc.
  • Remove the skimmer basket and any product in the skimmerĀ before pouring.
  • Do not vacuum debris through the filter.Ā Waste or drain mode only.
  • Never mix with other chemicals.

Most products purchased from our online shop within the last 30 days are eligible for return. Please review our return policy to see the list of items that cannot be returned.

Some major items that are non-returnable:

  • Gift cards
  • Electronics
  • Pumps / Motors
  • Hot Tubs
  • Closeouts
  • Fireplaces
  • Electric Fireplaces
  • Massage Chairs
  • See return policy below for full list of non-returnables.

BioGuardĀ® Brand FAQs

What is the BioGuard 3-Step Care System?

It's the brand's core program for traditional chlorine pools, and it reduces routine care to three jobs.Step 1, sanitize— SilkGuard CompleteĀ® tabs or sticks maintain a continuous chlorine residual that kills bacteria and controls algae between applications.Step 2, shock— Smart ShockĀ® is applied weekly to oxidize the organic waste bathers leave behind, break apart chloramines, and restore clarity.Step 3, prevent— Algae CompleteĀ® stops algae before it establishes rather than fighting it after it blooms. The system works in pools of any size and surface type that circulate 10 to 24 hours per day.

What's the difference between BioGuard and SpaGuard?

They're sister brands from the same water-care company.BioGuard is the swimming pool line. SpaGuard is the spa and hot tub line.The split isn't marketing — pool dosing is calculated for tens of thousands of gallons at ambient temperature, while spa dosing is calculated for a few hundred gallons at 100°F. Pool packaging makes accurate spa measurement nearly impossible, and a pool-sized dose in a hot tub is a serious overdose. Match the product line to the vessel.

Which BioGuard program is right for my pool?

Equipment usually decides it. Pools running a standard chlorinator, feeder, or skimmer application belong on the3-Step Care System. Pools with a salt chlorine generator should be on thesalt pool programs— Mineral SpringsĀ® or SaltScapesĀ® — which are formulated around the specific scale, balance, and cell-care demands of a generator. Owners who want no chlorine or bromine in the water at all use BioGuard'snon-chlorine biguanide program, which is a fully separate chemistry with its own sanitizer, oxidizer, and algaecide.

Can I mix BioGuard products with chemicals from other brands?

Basic balancers are chemically generic and generally interchangeable — alkalinity increaser is sodium bicarbonate no matter whose label is on the bucket. The real risk sits withsanitizer programs and specialty additives. Never introduce chlorine or bromine into a biguanide pool; the two chemistries destroy each other and produce cloudy water, gummy filter fouling, and a collapsed sanitizer residual. Also avoid stacking algaecides and clarifiers from different brands, since overlapping actives can cause foaming or staining. And regardless of brand, never combine two products in the same bucket, scoop, or feeder — always add them separately with circulation running between.

What is SilkGuard Technology?

SilkGuardĀ® is a conditioning technology built into BioGuard's chlorinating tabs and sticks. It softens the feel of the water against skin and helps protect pool surfaces and equipment from scale formation, so the sanitizer is doing two jobs at once. SilkGuard CompleteĀ® products also carrySunShieldĀ® Technology, which shields free chlorine from ultraviolet breakdown. UV loss is the largest single drain on chlorine in an outdoor pool during summer, so protecting the residual directly reduces how much sanitizer you consume over a season.

Do BioGuard products work with salt chlorine generators?

Yes. A salt pool is still a chlorine pool — the generator simply produces the chlorine on site instead of you adding it from a bucket. Salt pools still need balancing, weekly oxidation, algae prevention, and scale protection, and they have one extra demand a standard pool doesn't: the generator cell itself accumulates scale and needs periodic cleaning. BioGuard's salt-specific programs are built around exactly those requirements.Do not skip testing on a salt pool— the automation controls chlorine production, not water balance.

About BioGuardĀ®

BioGuardĀ is a professional swimming pool care line built on a simple premise: pool chemicals work better as a program than as a shelf of unrelated purchases. Most water problems homeowners fight through the summer aren't caused by a bad product. They're caused by good products working against each other, applied out of sequence, in water whose balance was never corrected in the first place. BioGuard's entire approach is organized around fixing that — matched products, a defined order of operations, and a diagnostic process behind the recommendation.

The brand sits under the KIK Consumer Products umbrella alongside its spa counterpart, SpaGuard, and it covers the full range of pool water care: sanitizers, shocks, algaecides, balancers, water enhancers, surface cleaners and problem solvers, salt pool products, and off-season closing chemistry.

Three Programs, One Philosophy

  • Traditional Chlorine — the 3-Step Care System — Sanitize, shock, prevent. SilkGuard CompleteĀ® tabs and sticks handle daily sanitation, Smart ShockĀ® handles weekly oxidation and clarity, and Algae CompleteĀ® handles algae prevention. Suitable for pools of any size and surface type running 10 to 24 hours of circulation per day.
  • Salt Pools — Purpose-built chemistry for pools with a chlorine generator, including the Mineral SpringsĀ® and SaltScapesĀ® programs. Salt pools still generate chlorine, and they still need balancing, scale protection, and cell care — these products are formulated for that specific equipment set.
  • Non-Chlorine Pools — A complete biguanide-based program for owners who want no chlorine and no bromine in the water at all, with its own dedicated sanitizer, oxidizer, and algaecide.

Formulation Technologies

Two proprietary technologies show up across the chlorine line and explain a lot of the brand's reputation.Ā SilkGuardĀ® TechnologyĀ conditions the water so it feels noticeably softer against skin while also helping protect pool surfaces and equipment from scale.Ā SunShieldĀ® TechnologyĀ protects free chlorine from ultraviolet breakdown, which is the single largest source of chlorine loss in an outdoor pool during summer — sanitizer that survives the afternoon is sanitizer you don't have to replace.

Diagnosis, Not Guesswork

BioGuard is sold through trained specialty dealers rather than mass-market channels, and the brand backs that network with theĀ ALEXĀ® water analysis system. ALEX reads a full water sample — sanitizer, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid, metals, and more — and returns a sequenced correction plan rather than a generic product suggestion. That distinction matters more than it sounds. Cloudy water has at least six common causes, and the fix for a filtration problem is nothing like the fix for a high-pH problem or a phosphate problem. Testing tells you which one you actually have.