high phosphates

[zackpool]

PoolSchool says chlorine alone can keep algae
in check (even at very high phosphate levels).....
My phosphate level is 1200 ppl. School says,
"it doesn't make much sense to use phosphate
remover except rare and unusual situations"
What constitutes a rare and unusual situation?
Does 1200 ppb qualify?
Thank You!

 

[Patrick_B]

Welcome to TFP!

I think 3000 PPB is generally considered a point of concern by those who wish to address the issue. Generally we say don't worry about them, and most of us don't even know what we have. Personally, if someone wants to address them and manage that in their pool, I think it's fine, and has merit in some cases, but the simple TFPC Philosophy is to overcome them even if you have them with proper control of free chlorine. It's exceedingly rare that there is a better, or simpler method IMO. The emphasis placed on the importance of Phosphates is wildly exaggerated by those who stand to profit from the sale of removers I'm afraid. Dead or non existent Algae cannot utilize phosphates for nutrients, and that's the bottom line. Free chlorine takes care of Algae so why worry about anything else is the basic idea.