Membership updated.

There are several facts you need to keep in mind about using phosphate removers:

1. They are utterly useless, unless you are able to lower the PO4 level below 0.125 ppm (125 ppb). Lowering the phosphate level from 5,000 ppb (5 ppm) to 1,000 ppb (1 ppm) accomplishes nothing.

2. PO4 testkits aren't great. It's difficult to determine what you original PO4 levels are (5 ppm or 2 ppm?). They are only helpful once you begin to get close to the target (less than 0.125 ppm).

3. Most city water has phosphates present to protect the piping. Thus you must add PO4 remover EVERY time you add water.

4. A low PO4 level does NOT kill algae: it only makes it EASIER to kill algae. If you aren't managing your chlorine, pH, and CYA levels properly . . using a phosphate remover won't help.