Phosphates don’t interact with chlorine, and naturally bind to calcium and other minerals, so some level of phosphates may actually help to soften and improve pool water. At levels above 1000 ppb, and in pools with an algae problem, phosphates can make a bad situation worse.
Do phosphates affect chlorine?
At FC levels a little below the recommended level phosphates can affect chlorine consumption, because algae is always on the verge of getting going, there is enough chlorine to hold it in check but not enough to kill it all. That process consumes extra chlorine, and phosphates can stop that from happening.
Do phosphates increase chlorine demand when fighting algae?
It’s no coincidence that most pools we see with algae have cyanuric acid over 50 ppm. If you experience higher chlorine demand when fighting algae and high phosphates, we hope this article simplified the science behind it. Phosphates are just one piece of the puzzle, and a critical piece indeed.
Why use phosphates and phosphoric acid in water treatment?
The Use of Phosphates and Phosphoric Acid in Potable Water Treatment Phosphates for potable water treatment perform several functions that include: iron and manganese control, scale inhibition and removal, corrosion control and chlorine stabilization.
What is phosphorus and how does it affect water quality?
Phosphorus is an essential element for plant life, but when there is too much of it in water, it can speed up eutrophication (a reduction in dissolved oxygen in water bodies caused by an increase of mineral and organic nutrients) of rivers and lakes.
Does chlorine reduce phosphates?
"Shocking" the pool is a common home remedy, as most pool owners have chlorine on hand. The owner puts a large amount of chlorine, a short-term algaecide, into the pool at one time. Although the shock will kill off some algae currently in the pool, the chlorine will not reduce the level of phosphates.
Do phosphates consume chlorine?
Phosphates eat the chlorine, with low to no chlorine leads to algae growth. Only treat when needed.
Do high phosphates affect chlorine?
High phosphate levels feed algae and promote algae growth, which in turn makes it more difficult and expensive to kill the algae and keep your pool chemistry balanced. High phosphate levels also use up chlorine quickly, making it even more difficult to kill the algae and keep your pool clean.
What factors affect phosphate levels in water?
Phosphates are usually present in the environment in low concentrations, which limits plant growth. High phosphate levels can come from man-made sources such as septic systems, fertilizer runoff and improperly treated waste-water. The phosphates enter the water as the result of surface run-off and bank erosion.
Do phosphates increase chlorine demand?
It's a race of reproductive growth that is faster with more phosphates (up to a limit determined by sunlight and temperature) vs. killing by chlorine.” This explains why chlorine demand tends to be higher with high phosphate levels.
Can you add chlorine with phosphate remover?
2:464:23Eliminate Algae and Boost Your Pool's Chlorine Level with a Phosphate ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf it's lower than 3.0. Put an add some liquid chlorine to bring the chlorine level up in your pool.MoreIf it's lower than 3.0. Put an add some liquid chlorine to bring the chlorine level up in your pool. What I'm gonna add the maintenance dose.
How do you lower phosphate levels?
Here are seven methods to help control high levels of phosphorus:Reduce the amount of phosphorus you eat. ... Take phosphorus binders. ... Take vitamin D. ... Take a calcimimetic medicine. ... Stay on dialysis the entire time. ... Start an exercise program approved by a doctor. ... Get an operation to remove some of the parathyroid glands.
Can phosphates cause chlorine lock?
If you use household chemicals or fertilizers with phosphates and nitrates around your pool, these chemicals can get into your pool from rainwater runoff or cleaning. These chemicals make it harder for chlorine to do its job and cause chlorine demand.
How do you lower phosphates in pool water?
Regularly skim your pool water: Remove leaves, twigs, bugs, and other organic debris that can elevate the phosphate levels. Make sure to clean the skimmer after use to avoid adding phosphates back in the next time you use them. Add some PHOSfree to the skimmer before and after use to get rid of residual phosphates.
What causes high phosphates in water?
High concentrations of phosphorus may result from poor agricultural practices, runoff from urban areas and lawns, leaking septic systems or discharges from sewage treatment plants.
What causes phosphate levels to be high?
What causes high phosphorus? High phosphorus is often a sign of kidney damage or disease. Healthy kidneys balance the phosphorus in your body by removing any extra phosphorus from your blood. If you have kidney disease, your kidneys may not remove extra phosphorus.
Why do phosphate levels drop in water?
During the natural process of weathering, phosphorous is released as phosphate ions which are soluble in water. The inorganic phosphate is then distributed through surrounding soil and water.
Why do phosphates kill algae?
Phosphates are food for algae. Since more of your free chlorine is then occupied killing algae, less is available to form a sanitizer residual. High phosphate loads, when left untreated, will generally result in higher chlorine demand and can even lead to algae blooms in your pool. Click to see full answer.
What happens when you put phosphorus in a pool?
However, once the rainwater runs off into the soil, then it becomes phosphorous. Usually, swimmers bring the majority of the phosphates into the pool with them. Likewise, how do phosphates affect pool water? As mentioned before, high phosphates in a pool can promote algae growth, leading to a green and cloudy pool.
What materials consume chlorine?
Keep in mind, organic materials like algae, leaves, sunscreen, lotions, pee, poop, and etc., consume chlorine. As chlorine does its job, it is depleted in the process.
Does chlorine kill algae?
Depriving the water of those nutrients can slow growth, though it does not directly kill the organisms.
What happens when chlorine kills algae?
So when chlorine kills it, those nutrients are released back into the water. And in the right conditions, a new generation of algae can grow…only to be killed by residual chlorine. And again, and again, and again. The IPSSA Basic Training Manual states:
What is the primary purpose of chlorine in swimming pools?
According to the IPSSA Basic Training Manual (emphasis added): “The primary purpose of disinfection is to kill pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms such as bacteria, parasites, viruses and other organisms such as algae, mold, mildew and spores.
What are the nutrients that slow down algae growth?
Nutrients like phosphorus ( orthophosphate) and nitrogen (nitrate) allow microorganisms to grow. Depriving the water of those nutrients can slow growth, though it does not directly kill the organisms. Chlorine is a great algaecide, with the right free chlorine to cyanuric acid ratio. Back to Richard Falk:
How long does it take for algae to double?
The IPSSA Basic Training Manual states: “Algae can double in population in about 3 to 8 hours. To prevent uncontrolled growth, the kill rate [of chlorine] must exceed the growth rate for bacteria or algae.
Do phosphates have a direct relationship with chlorine?
That needs to be repeated: phosphates have no direct relationship with chlorine strength. Rather, the difference phosphates cause is in the growth rate of contaminants like algae. That growth rate is what raises the chlorine demand, not the phosphates themselves.
Is chlorine a good algaecide?
Chlorine is a great algaecide, with the right free chlorine to cyanuric acid ratio. Back to Richard Falk: "As with algaecides, [phosphate removers] are a preventative measure, but are not necessary if the appropriate minimum FC/CYA ratio is maintained as chlorine alone can kill algae faster than it can reproduce.”.
Is phosphorus good for CYA?
Phosphates are just one piece of the puzzle, and a critical piece indeed. Reducing them can be beneficial, especially when you're dealing with elevated levels of CYA. If you are continually struggling with a high chlorine demand, contact us. It may or may not be algae or microorganisms causing it.
Why aren't phosphates listed in pool kits?
Here is a link to the recommended levels, notice phosphates are not listed because you don't need to worry about them . Being no one trusts pool store results around here it is really just guess work until the kit shows up. If the pH is correct it is perfect, don't mess with it.
How much bleach should I use for a pool filter?
If the pH is correct it is perfect, don't mess with it. For your size pool you can add one gallon of 8.25% bleach each day until your kit shows up. And for backwashing your filter do it when the PSI rises 20-25% above the clean pressure.
How long to backwash a pool after shock?
Here are the test results as of today (After the shock, super chlorination, TA increaser, phosphate remover and Calcium) They are recommending I lower PH, wait 2-3 hours, add 2 quarts of phosphate remover, run the pool for 24 hours, backwash, then super chlorinate.
Can you add CYA to a pool?
First, don't add CYa until you pass the Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. If you fail and need to SLAM Process the higher CYA will just make it harder. I think you are confusing a SLAM Process with "shocking" your pool. The SLAM Process is a process that is continuous, not a one night addition of chlorine.
What are the things that add phosphates to pool water?
Water runoff: fertilizers and garden care products that are used around a pool may add phosphates to pool water. Organic matter: leaves, twigs, algae, and other microorganisms may contribute phosphates to a pool. Pool water itself: many municipalities add some phosphates to the water supply, to reduce levels of lead and copper.
How to get rid of phosphates in pool?
Here are some of the best ways to manage phosphates: Skim regularly. Removing dead and decaying leaves and organic matter from a pool will remove one of the key sources of phosphates, and make your pool more attractive at the same time. Clean your filters.
Why do pools have phosphates?
Pool water itself: many municipalities add some phosphates to the water supply, to reduce levels of lead and copper. In addition, some pool cleaners and chemicals, along with stain and scale removers and stabilizers, may contain phosphates. In other words, since they are so widespread in nature and used in so many ways, ...
How do phosphates help algae grow?
They contribute to algae growth by feeding the algae, and, when the algae organism dies, it releases more phosphates into the water, feeding more new algae and creating an unhealthy cycle. In nature, this is called an “algae bloom”, and it’s why phosphates have such a bad reputation.
What are the sources of phosphates in a pool?
In a swimming pool, phosphates can accumulate from four primary sources: Swimmers: human sweat, skin and hair products, and detergents used in towels or bathing suits, all can contribute to the level of phosphates in a pool . Water runoff: fertilizers and garden care products that are used around a pool may add phosphates to pool water.
Can you use algaecide to remove phosphates from a pool?
Since all this talk about phosphates is really an attempt to control algae, just go to the heart of the problem and regularly use a good algaecide. As you can tell, these phosphate removal methods are (or should be) part of your pool maintenance routine anyway.
Can phosphates soften pool water?
This is why phosphates can soften pool water, but also why low calcium levels can create high phosphate levels. If you balance your pool for calcium, it will naturally control phosphates. And maintaining the correct pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels will help to prevent algae. Control algae with an algaecide.
Phosphorus and Water
Phosphorus is a common constituent of agricultural fertilizers, manure, and organic wastes in sewage and industrial effluent.
Phosphorus in surface and groundwater
Phosphorus gets into water in both urban and agricultural settings. Phosphorus tends to attach to soil particles and, thus, moves into surface-water bodies from runoff. A USGS study on Cape Cod, Massachusetts showed that phosphorus can also migrate with groundwater flows.
What are the factors that contribute to phosphate levels in a pool?
Natural elements are significant contributors to phosphate levels in the pool. Most pool experts claim that most of the phosphates entering the pool do so by rainwater, soil or debris. While these elements do contain some phosphates, the most significant contributor is probably some of the pool chemicals you use, ...
What are phosphates in pool?
You have all kinds of uninvited guests in your pool every season— leaves, sweat, algae, you name it. And phosphates are no different. They are found in fertilizers, rotting leaves, skin and hair products, other pool chemicals, and even your water supply, as many municipalities add small amounts of phosphates to keep lead ...
What are the myths about phosphates?
1. Any amount of phosphates promote algae growth. While there is a lot of debate about this, most studies show that phosphate levels need to reach at least 1,000 ppb ...
What is a phosphate reducer?
One of the methods pool owners sometimes use is adding a product called a phosphate reducer, such as PHOSfree, which continually cleans the filter media and uses a rare earth metal to bind and remove phosphates upon use. And if you have tried everything else and feel that needs to be done, you certainly can.
Can phosphates cause algae blooms?
The short answer is maybe. See, the thing with phosphates is that they are a food source for algae and aquatic plants. And even though there are other factors besides phosphate levels that cause algae blooms, this is one of them. But some studies show that they really only affect pool algae growth at extremely high levels of 1,000 ppb ...
Do pool test strips come with phosphate?
Most pool test kits and test strips do not come with phosphate tests, but you can get a phosphate test kit for pretty cheap. However, because it takes such a long time for phosphates to build up in your pool, I always recommend taking a water sample to your local pool supply store to have it tested. Their tests are usually much more accurate and ...
Is phosphate bad for swimming pools?
First of all, phosphates in your swimming pool water are there to stay. You may as well accept it . Secondly, if you are already making your pool water uninhabitable to algae, then there is really not much concern about phosphates. Thirdly, phosphate removers can be more toxic to you than the actual phosphate.