Phosphate became a household word in the 1970's, and people started to use low-phosphate and phosphate-free laundry detergents. This was to protect lakes, streams, wetlands and other runoff areas from the detrimental effects of excess phosphate. One of these effects is unwanted algae blooms, because phosphates are an excellent food source for many aquatic plants, like algae.

What's true for lakes is also true for swimming pools. Phosphate is a natural component of most swimmer wastes. It is also present in rain water. Phosphate is persistent and does not break down naturally. Landscape fertilizers which may blow into the pool, have high phosphate content. Mulch or soil and even leaves that enter the pool contain phosphates. For all of these reasons, pools can quickly build up high phosphate levels. This creates an abundant and tasty food source for all strains of algae, and can make controlling their growth difficult. Remove the algae’s food, and say goodbye to pool algae problems.

Phosphate is plant food, and algae are plants. If you have had persistent trouble with algae, every year - and it always seems to come back, you likely have a phosphate problem in your pool. When excess phosphate is present in a swimming pool, the symptoms often include the following:

• Cloudy, Green Water
• Slippery and Slimy Surfaces
• Mustard and Green Colored Debris
• Excessive Chemical Consumption
• Poor Water Quality

The maximum level of phosphate in pool water is something under 100 ppb. Once the phosphate climbs much above this level, the water quality begins to decrease and slime deposits can begin. Fortunately, draining to eliminate the accumulated phosphate is no longer necessary. Natural Chemistry's Phos-Free is a natural mineral compound which effectively and rapidly reduces the level of phosphate in the water. SeaKlear also produces a phosphate remover under the name of SeaKlear PhosKlear 4000.

You can test for phosphates in your pool, spa or pond with the Aquachek Phosphate Test Kit. The one minute phosphate test kit uses packets of powder to dissolve in a water sample. Its testing range is from 0-1000 ppb of phosphates. For pools with known higher levels of phosphates, LaMotte has phosphate test strips that test a higher range 3000-6000 ppb.

1. Test for phosphate levels
2. Backwash your pool filter thoroughly
3. Apply phosphate remover per label dosage rate specified
4. Run filter for 48 hours
5. Backwash pool filter
6. Retest for phosphate levels. If necessary, repeat steps 3-5

1. Before testing for phosphates, water should be balanced, and chlorine level below 5 ppm
2. Algae should be treated and pool clean before testing and treating phosphates
3. Correct the source of the phosphate contamination, or use weekly maintenance dosage
4. After treatment with phosphate remover, filter pressure will rise. Backwash as needed
5. Small or ineffective pool filters may benefit from using a clarifier after treatment
6. For sand or cartridge filters that have suffered many algae outbreaks, replace the media

Nitrates are a matter similar to Phosphates, but of different origin. Their big similarity is that they are both a food source for algae. Nitrate is a plant nutrient and is present in all green plants and fertilizers. It is natural occurring and is found everywhere something is growing.

Nitrites (NO2) are a close cousin to Nitrates (NO3) and are just as much of a problem for pools, because when a Nitrite comes in contact with water, it easily gains another Oxygen atom to become a Nitrate. This additional atom gives Nitrates real stability, and makes eradication difficult. In fact, the only known way of Nitrate removal in pools practiced today is to drain a portion of the pool, and refill with water that is Nitrate free, if possible. Shocking a pool heavily will revert the Nitrates back to Nitrites, but from their once again, an additional Oxygen atom is easy to come by in a swimming pool filled with H2O

Rural areas - those with water wells and septic tanks are particularly prone to Nitrate contamination in pools. Fertilizer is the most common source of Nitrates in pools. Do birds and ducks make regular passes over your pool? Do they land in the pool to bathe? Birds and especially Ducks can do a real number on a pool. Rain spilling off of overhanging trees can add Nitrates to a pool, and even acid rain itself, so common in the Northeast, can increase Nitrate levels. Finally, human waste, sweat, cosmetics can all bring traces of Nitrates into the pool.

According to John Girvan, one of the few people to study Nitrates extensively has said that "With nitrate in the pool," he says, "you will get algae and other contaminants that won't respond to normal treatment." Some pool techs have been known to say that Nitrates "lock up chlorine". The presence of Nitrates in pool water will drastically increase the sanitizer consumption.

At levels as low as 10 ppm of Nitrate, algae will grow even though you have used algaecide and are keeping a proper chlorine residual. But keeping a proper residual of chlorine in the water can prove to be difficult when Nitrates are present. This is what tricks people into believing in Chlorine Lock, it's not blocking chlorine, but using it very quickly.

There still however is no chemical to remove the Nitrates from the pool water, so if you have a contamination, you will need to drain most if not all of the pool water. Locating the source would be advised, to prevent re-contamination of the pool. Animals, water run-off, wind blown fertilizers, well water are all likely sources. Check your bathers! Sweat, oils, cosmetics and hair treatments may contain Nitrates. Dogs and Ducks bring all sorts of nastiness into the pool, and should be discouraged. If you have a Duck Problem in the pool, keep ducks out of your pool using Duck Off, made by Lo-Chlor.

Phosphate Test Kit

Phos-Free

SeaKlear Phosphate Remover