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  1. #1
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    Default Hi Phosphates

    Hello Everyone.

    As the title suggests, I have high phosphates (2500). I have sufficient chlorine (1.7) and the pool actually looks really good. I have 2 forms of treatment available. I have a bottle of PhosFree and I also have the Phosfloc treatment as well. With the PhosFree, I know I would have to backwash approximately 8-12 hours into the treatment due to the high pressure building. With the Phosfloc, I would treat the water overnight and vacuum the next morning. My question is, given the 2500 phosphate level, would the PhosFree do the job? Or is the Phosfloc necessary. I have treated with PhosFree in the past, but my phosphate level was not quite as high. I do have a vacuum, but I have never used it. Additionally, if flocing and vacuuming is the answer, should I put my pump dial on waste so I bypass the filter?

    Please help.

    Mike

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Hi Phosphates

    I really can't comment on the phosphates, but the question I have is about your chlorine reading. You say that you have sufficient chlorine at 1.7. Without knowing all of your test readings, it is hard for us to know if 1.7 is sufficient or not. Please post a full set of water testing results (FC, CC, TC, PH, alk, Cal hardness, CYA) and tell us what type and volume pool you have. Then, that will help us help you. Welcome to the forum.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Hi Phosphates

    Sorry, I guess I should have posted that. I can not find the readout so the best I can do is memory.

    TC 1.7
    FC 1.6
    pH 7.8 (added a little acid)
    alk 105
    CYA upper 30s, low 40s

    That is all I remember. The guy at the store said everything else looked fine, just the phosphates were high. I think I have read that as long as your other readings are fine...phosphates do not matter. I am too new (pool 1 year old) to know. I have yet to have algae and I do not ever want it. I may be a little too cautious.

    I went ahead and started the PhosFree treatment since I had 2 bottles already. I think I will go that route first since it is easier than the Phosfloc. Please let me know if I am off base.

    Another question I have is if my chlorine level is good (1.5 or higher), can I still get algae?

    Thank you very much,

    Mike
    Last edited by mkamp1515; 05-08-2006 at 08:00 PM.

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    Default Re: Hi Phosphates

    Actually, for the level of cya that you have, your chlorine reading is too low and you are risking an algae bloom. Take a look at the chart at the following link. For cya between 30-50, your chlorine level should stay between 3-6.

    http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=365

    I really can't comment on using the phosphate treatments.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Hi Phosphates

    Watermon,

    Please bear with me as I am still a pool chemical idiot. Is that chart you referenced saying the less stabilizer, the lower the chlorine should be? I thought it would be the other way around. Please explain so I understand better. Thank you for your time and advice.

    Mike

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    Default Re: Hi Phosphates

    Yes. The less stabilizer, the less chlorine you need to sanitize your pool. The more stabilizer, the more chlorine you need to do the same job.

    Chlorine breaks down in sunlight. Stablizer is kind of like "sunscreen" for your chlorine. It keeps your chlorine from quickly disappearing on hot sunny days. All outdoor pools need stabilizer. However, stabilizer blocks the ability of chlorine to sanitize your pool. Therefore, the more stabilizer you have in your pool, the higher your chlorine levels need to be to sanitize your pool. You have to have the proper balance of both in your water. Does that make any sense?

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