Jack's Purple Stuff Questions

[mkamp1515]

Hi everyone. I have made several posts concerning high phosphate tests and I may have found my culprit but I would like some professional insight if possible. I have been continously having high phosphate tests this year vs. last year. I am very careful to keep debris out of my pool so I am confident, unless it is microscopic organic matter, that debris is not my problem. The only difference between this year and last year is I have been using "Jack's Purple Stuff" per the bottle directions to keep from having scale as I have high pH due to a SWG and newer pool. I obviously use a lot of acid to combat the pH but I have been using Jack's as a backup. I have learned today...stupid me...Jack's Purple Stuff has phosphates in it. I have called a few pool supply stores and even Leslie's confirmed using Jack's Purple Stuff regulary will result in a high phosphate level. My question is the guy at Leslie's indicated that they are a different kind of phosphate and not too worry about it as it will not feed the algae if I use weekly doses of "Pool Perfect plus PhosFree" which I have used since my pool was built last year (my pool builder suggested it). Apparently that stuff eats the algae food in the phosphates. Does this sound OK and accurate? I will say that my pool looks great and I have yet to get algae. So, maybe they are correct but I would like some confirmation as I have gone nuts combating the phosphates.

Thanks as always,
Mike

[mkamp1515]

An update with pool water test results.

IG SWG; 20,000 gallons, Pebble Tec surface

pH 7.4 (great)
Alk 90
Calcium Hard 325
CYA 60 (maybe a little high)
Salt Level 3.3
Chlorine 5.0 (did not know chlorine would get that high with salt system)

I guess the phosphate level is not prohibiting the generation of chlorine.

[waterbear]

Don't worry about the phosphates! Don't waste your money on phosphate removers! You don't have any algae...don't fix what ain't broke!

SWGs can raise your FC levels very high if you let them....that is what the 'boost' or 'superchorinate' setting is for! (but it is better to shock with bleach...the boost setting will shorten your cell life)

[mkamp1515]

I am now following your advice. I was just wanting to find the source of the phosphates. I am glad I did since I was the one putting them in the pool.

[DogPaddle]

Question about the Jack's Purple Stuff...does it work to remove scale?? I'm looking for a good tile cleaner. Thanks.

[waterbear]

Question about the Jack's Purple Stuff...does it work to remove scale?? I'm looking for a good tile cleaner. Thanks.

It's not really effetive on calcium at the pH it is used at. IMHO, The best thing to remove scale is muriatic acid and tile soap (for pools!) mixed together.