Phosphate battle

[aylad]

You need to stop worrying about the phosphates and start battling the algae instead. Phosphates are algae food, but if there is no algae, then your phosphate level doesn't matter! Your algae problems are probably because you simply haven't been consistent about keeping your chlorine levels high enough to compensate for your CYA level. If you will post a set of test results on your water, taken with a drop-based kit, we can help you get it cleared up....

Welcome to the forum!

[proximo]

Thanks for the direction and welcome! Here are my test results:
Chlorine - 3.0
PH - 7.6
TA - 120

I have recently been reducing ph and TA with muriatic acid. Water is cloudy from dead algae. Also have been shocking the pool and brushing the sides and bottom.

Do I ever need to reduce phosphates?

[waterbear]

NO, phosphates are a non issue. What you DO need to do is get a good test kit (Tayloe K-2006) and you need to test for free chlorine, combined chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness AND CYA (stabilzier or cyanuric acid). This last one is one of the most imortant tests and the one most often not done! Without it you do not know how high you need to keep the chlorine to keep the algae away.

[proximo]

OK thanks! I just ordered the test kit you had recommended with your Amazon link.

[PoolDoc]

Another note . . . phosphate removers can probably remove phosphates down to any low level you can measure at pool side, and such low phosphate levels will inhibit (not totally prevent) algae. However, what pool stores don't tell you is that many common pool chemicals CONTAIN phosphates! We've had several pool store 'prescriptions' posted this year which contained BOTH phosphate removers AND phosphate based, or phosphate containing, products.

Given your persistent upward trend on phosphate levels, I'd wonder just what ELSE your pool store is selling you. It's quite likely they are 'helping' you remove phosphates on the one hand, and then 'helping' you add them back* on the other! If you want to know, you'll need to list the EXACT product names of everything you've added since the last low phosphate reading.

Ben


* To be fair, the only thing about pool chemistry most pool store operators know is what they are told by pool chemicals companies, and, as you might imagine, this little titbit is not usually part of such training!