Phosphates

[Wags3]

15000 gal vinyl. Leslie says I have 1000 reading for phosphates s/b less than 100ppb . Suggesting 64 oz phosfree. But could not explain what phosphates are. How they got there and what harm do they propose. Looking explanation

[waterbear]

Phosphate are not a problem. They come form several sources such as fertilizer and breakdown of some pool chemicals. They can be algae food but so is nitrate. However, the pool store will not say anything about nitrate because the only way to lower it is by changing water so they can't sell you anything and make money. If you maintain your chlorine level properly you will not get algae, need to shock weekly, or need phosphate removers. If you don't they might be a temporary band aid but will not solve the problem. Interesting thing to think about...how did anyone manage to keep a pool before phosphate removers hit the market a few years back? Answer...by properly maintaining their chlorine levels.
Anyway, the raw material that is used in all the phosphate remover products (lanthanum chloride or other lanthanum salt) has recently increased in price so I expect you will start seeing a lot less interest in selling you a phosphate remover since it will not be as profitable. There is already a replacement "Problem" and "cur"e that is starting to make the rounds...biofilms and the products to remove them (which include propriatry mixes of soda ash and sodium metasilicate, enzymes, sphagnum moss-npt joking!, and other such snake oil! They do all have one thing in common, they are all used in conjunction with chlorine..see where I am going with this?)

Do you see where I am going with this?

[Bfloboyintx]

Great reply. I was going to post a new thread but someone beat me to the punch on the subject. Appx. Two weeks ago I had phosphate reading of 500 ppb (this was on a Saturday). The following Thursday, I added about 1 1/4 liters of Phosfree. )I have a 15K galloon plaster free form pool. It hasnt been a week since I added it so I take it my water to get tested.. Now the phosphates level is reading close to 1000ppb and I have been more mindful about skimmming the pool and cleaning out the baskets.. Now they tell em to add another liter.. I dont have any problems with algae, keep my pool chlorine level at 3-5ppm.. Am I wasting my $$$ buying this stuff then? Thanks.

[Watermom]

I dont have any problems with algae, keep my pool chlorine level at 3-5ppm.. Am I wasting my $$$ buying this stuff then? Thanks.

In a word --- YES! Save your money and use it to buy a good test kit --- the Taylor K-2006 or 2006C which you can get through the testkit page in my signature. Now, that is something that is worth every penny!

[PoolDoc]

memberships upgraded. ben