Setting time of alginate is best regulated by the:

Though setting time of alginate can be changed or regulated by any of the above method, but most of them leads to changes or affect the properties of final set alginate. Only available best method to regulate it is by a specific amount of retarder added during the manufacturing process. Also know Setting time of Fast-setting alginate = 1.5 to 3 min Setting time of Normal-setting alginate = 3 to 4.5 min