Khemical Forever-Flow Enzymatic Line Cleaner

Forever-Flow is a "bio-enzyme"-based product. This means that the active ingredients (the enzymes that break down the organic macromolecules that comprise the biofilm such as carbohydrates, nucleic acids and proteins) are contained within living bacteria in the product, as opposed to "enzyme"-based products, where the active ingredients are the actual enzymes with no microbes present. There are several advantages to a bioenzyme product over an enzyme product:

• Bioenzymes will work over a wide variety of pH, temperature and salt levels, while enzymes will be much more limited. This is because bioenzymes are contained in the bacteria, which protects them from the external environment. Once they sense the biofilm (as food) they will make/release the biofilm-digesting enzymes.
• Bioenzymes will be more effective at targeting biofilm and mixed clogs. This is because the bacteria see the biofilm accumulations as food, which they will actively seek out and digest..
• Conditions which limit bioenzyme activity (pH > 8; bleach or chlorinated water) will also inactivate enzyme-based products.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.  What is Forever Flow?

Forever Flow is a bio-enzyme product that works to remove and prevent irrigation line clogs. A bio-enzyme contains living organisms that have a range of activities – for Forever Flow, this includes the ability to break down the compounds found in

biofilm-based and other clogs, with a final outcome of being highly effective at removing irrigation line clogs and build-up.

2.  Why does Forever Flow work better than acid/peroxide or other chemical irrigation line treatment products?

Unlike acid/peroxide or other chemical treatments, Forever Flow will not damage plants or soil and can be used throughout the growing season. Note that this includes both conventional and organic farm operations, as Forever Flow is OMRI-certified (Organic Materials Review Institute) as an irrigation line cleaner. Also, biofilms have a thick and sludgy consistency, making them resistant to chemical treatments as these chemicals cannot penetrate past the biofilm surface. Forever Flow’s active bio-enzyme mixture breaks down and “digests” the organic solid materials in the biofilm clog.

3.  Can I use Forever Flow to treat my irrigation system during the growing season?

Yes, Forever Flow can be used throughout the growing season. Forever Flow’s beneficial soil bacteria will not harm your soil or plants. Unlike chemical treatments, Forever Flow is completely safe and non-toxic as indicated by phytotoxicity test results available to our customers.

4.  How often should I use Forever Flow?

We recommend using Forever Flow anytime irrigation lines or emitters become clogged. For preventative treatment, we recommend using Forever Flow between every 1 – 4 weeks, depending on how often clogs occur, as well as after any major fertilizer addition.

5.  Can I use Forever Flow on my organic farm/growing operation?

Yes, Forever Flow is OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute)-certified as an irrigation system cleaner approved for use on all organic farm operations.

6.  What is a “Biofilm”?

A biofilm is made when a microbe attaches to a surface such as an irrigation line or emitter and starts to colonize this surface. The biofilm will then grow until it gets large enough to clog the irrigation line. Biofilms are extremely resistant to removal by most treatment products.

7.  Why do irrigation lines get clogged?

Irrigation line clogs commonly form when microbes from common soil additives – such as compost teas and many fertilizers – attach to irrigation line walls and begin to grow. Fertilizer nutrients serve as food for the microbes, resulting in a biofilm that clogs the irrigation line or emitter. Scale or mineral clogs can also occur – particularly when hard water is present.

8.  How does Forever Flow remove irrigation line clogs?

Forever Flow is made up of beneficial microbes that specialize in rapidly breaking down the organic solid materials that make up most irrigation line clogs – including

biofilm-based clogs. Many mineral-based clogs also contain these organic solid materials, which can also be effectively treated by Forever Flow.

9.  How long does it take for Forever Flow to clear irrigation line clogs?

Forever Flow begins to work as soon as it’s applied, breaking down and removing clogs within 8 hours.

10.  How does Forever Flow prevent irrigation line clogs? How is this different from clearing already clogged lines?

Forever Flow will actively break down and remove all accumulations inside your irrigation lines and emitters, including those that are not yet large enough to completely clog the line. One reason prevention is important is that these small biofilm accumulations can actively “shed” microbes which will then make new biofilms throughout your irrigation system, resulting in several clogs being formed.

11. How do I apply Forever Flow?

Forever Flow can be applied using an injector, or by directly adding to your water tank or reservoir.

12.  Does Forever Flow help remove algae clogs?

Forever Flow will break down algae-based biofilms, but will not kill or eliminate algae, as Forever Flow is completely non-toxic. Because algae need sunlight to grow, it cannot directly grow inside irrigation lines so if you find algae-based clogs in your system, we recommend installing a filter into the irrigation system, as the algae is coming from your water source. To prevent algae growth in your water source, we recommend treatment of your system with Khemical’s Clarify Bioenzymatic Water Treatment.

13.  Will Forever Flow clean my reservoir tank?

Forever Flow will remove sludge and other accumulations in your reservoir tank. For extensive sludge and other tank accumulations, treatment of your system with Khemical’s Clarify Bioenzymatic Water Treatment may be a better option.

14.  Will Forever Flow remove emitter clogs from irrigation lines?

Forever Flow rapidly clears clogged irrigation line emitters, minimizing the need for replacement. In fact, our in-house Quality Control assay specifically tests for the ability of Forever Flow to clear irrigation line emitters partially submerged in soil.

15.  Why do I need to use non-chlorinated water with Forever Flow?

Forever Flow contains a “bio-enzyme” – meaning the enzymatic activity is carried out by living microbes. Chlorinated water will kill these microbes such that no irrigation line clog removal can occur.

16.  How much Forever Flow should I use?

For existing clogs and high fertilizer use operations, we recommend a ratio of 1 part Forever Flow to 100 parts non-chlorinated water. For clog prevention and large outdoor operations that use less fertilizer, we recommend a ratio of 1 part Forever Flow to 500 parts non-chlorinated water.