Phosphates in my pool?

(Before you use any of the following information to adjust your swimming pool and/or spa chemistry, please refer to the safety information toward the bottom of this page).

Simply put phosphates are compounds containing phosphorus. Phosphate compounds eventually break down into their simplest form, orthophosphates. These are known to be a food source for aquatic plants.

Phosphates are a particle that travels through the air into your pool from lawn fertilizer, farms, dead vegetation, rainwater, golf courses, some pool chemicals and soaps. High levels of phosphates support algae growth at a greater rate than chlorine can manage. Often times this causes a costly summer and never changes the green to clean.

• Lack of chlorine residual
• Chlorine generator “failure"
• Frequent & resistant algae blooms
  

First things first, balance your water! For the best results use a pulp based agent in conjunction with the phosphate remover for filter efficiency. After treatment be sure to clean the filter by backwashing/rinsing down cartridges. When you add the remover it coagulates the phosphates particles, depending on the level of phosphates in your pool, you may see them drop to the bottom. When this happens you have to vacuum them out. (Check out picture above for reference). 

Adding a phosphate remover is a quick and economical way to correct the phosphate problem. Phosphates eat the chlorine, with low to no chlorine leads to algae growth. Only treat when needed.

Phoenix products: “Cloudiness will occur upon addition and increase filter pressure, therefore backwash and/or clean the filter as necessary. Recheck phosphate level after application and treat accordingly.”

Treat algae accordingly depending on color and growth. Is it dead? Is it on the walls? Ect. After testing for phosphate treat accordingly with proper dosage. With filter running disperse proper amount by adding it slowly around the perimeter of the pool and in front of return line. Run system 24 to 36 hours. Shock pool with double dose then typically. Watch filter pressure and clean or backwash as needed. Retest for phosphates.

What else can happen?

For example: if you have a high level of copper or iron in your pool water. This can happen when you get your water from a well. Left unchecked, a high copper level will eventually turn your pool green, while iron will give it a rusty brown color. Either can lead to staining. Typically Vitamin C takes care of the staining issues followed by a metal sequestrant.

So apply the metal sequestrant to bind with the copper or iron and put those particles in the filter. Afterwords the homeowner or service individual has to backwash (or rinse down your cartridges)  them out.

Now keep in mind that metal removers most commonly have phosphates in the chemical composition. If you have metal in your pool, and you use a phosphate-based sequestrant, and then use a phosphate remover, you’re negating the effects of the sequestrant. Now the percentage is minimal . You’ll lower the phosphate level, but have little to no success counteracting the effects of the metal, which means you’ll be putting money into your pool that isn't needed!

What it all comes down to is how each individual pool will react, IF there is a reaction. There are cases where pools can have a 2000ppm reading of phosphates and it does not affect the chlorine. Other cases can show a reading of 500ppm and completely eat the chlorine in the water.