At what level are nitrates too high?

[smallpooldad]

As nitrates contribute to the growth of algae at what level are they considered to be to high? Assuming proper chlorine for a given level of CyA, eg. 6 ppm chlorine - 50 ppm CYA.

Looking forward to your replies.

Aloha

[CarlD]

When they exceed Day Rates!

(seriously, watch all your STANDARD chemistry as recommended here at PoolForum and you shouldn't have to worry about nitrates.)

[waterbear]

When they exceed Day Rates!

(seriously, watch all your STANDARD chemistry as recommended here at PoolForum and you shouldn't have to worry about nitrates.)
ROFL!!!!!!

I have to agree with Carl! If you maintain your pool properly they should not be a problem unless they are VERY high (a rare occurance!). However, from what I have been able to find levels above 10-25 ppm are usually considered high enough to provide food for algae. The problem is nitrates are measered in two ways...as nitrate ion and as nitrate nitrogem. Nitrate ion measurements are about 4.4 times higher than nitrate nitorgen measurements and I have not been able to find out how these recommeded levels are measured. I suspect it is as nitrate nitrogen since this is how nitrates are usually expressed in water quality measurements.

Bottom line is, unless you have a constantly green pool that you can't fix by normal methods taught here in the forum don't worry about nitrate levels (or phospate levels)!

[smallpooldad]

Thank you,

I will not worry.

Aloha