Green water or algae on the walls is generally a sign of low chlorine, however, it is usually accompanied by a high level of phosphate in the water as well… So what is phosphate and how do you get rid of it?
Phosphates can be a problem all year round and slowly build up over time, however, we typically see a spike in the levels of phosphates in pools when wind and storms bring in microscopic dust particles from the farming & rural areas.
What Are Phosphates?
Phosphates are essentially food for algae and other aquatic organisms which they depend on it to grow.
The association between algae and phosphate is recognised as a major factor in the presence of algae in swimming pools despite the use of chlorine and other sanitisers.
The biggest issues for swimming pool owners from increased phosphate levels are excessive or stubborn algae blooms and rapid chlorine consumption.
How Do Phosphates Get in the Pool?
Phosphates can enter your pool a few different ways: leaves, twigs, dirt, dust and bugs blown in from the wind or washed into the pool from heavy rain along with grass clippings, fertilisers and pesticides used around the pool. They also come from swimmers’ body wastes and adding water to the pool from water tanks. All of these can increase the levels of phosphate in the pool water which will give algae plenty of food to grow.
Removing Phosphates
BioGuard Phos Kill will remove phosphates from pool water, preventing algae growth by removing the food source. This also makes pool sanitation more efficient against algae and can reduce chlorine consumption.
Once the phosphates have been removed, it's important to maintain a low phosphate level. This will ensure clean water, better chlorine performance and no algae. All living things, including algae in swimming pools, need phosphate to survive and grow. Maintaining a low phosphate level and increasing the chlorine concentration will result in fewer algae problems in your pool.
Preventing Phosphates in the future
As additional insurance against recurring algae, BioGuard Pool Complete is an easy weekly maintenance routine that keeps water amazingly clear, prevents waterline build and removes phosphates as they enter the water.
Ideally, you will also:
Restrict runoff from lawns, landscaping or washing decks entering the pool
Remove leaves and other debris from the pool regularly
Use a long-life algaecide such as MSA Extreme or AlgiGuard all year round in conjunction with their phosphate removal treatment
Get us to regularly test your pool water for phosphates and treat when necessary
We have special test kits to check the level of phosphate in your water, so, should the result of the test exceed the recommended level then we have BioGuard Phos Kill to remove the excess phosphate is now readily available in store.
Bring a water sample to us today and we can check your Phosphate levels along with all your other pool chemical balances for FREE! Alternatively, you can use the button below to book one of our highly trained pool technicians to come to you.