We have a 20,000 gallon in ground liner pool with DE filtration. Our water chemistry is fine with everything in normal ranges. Testing for Phosphates gives a reading of over 2.5 PPM (2500 ppb) Is this something we should be concerned about or does it not really matter. Not sure where the phosphate is coming from. We have trees near the pool, but keep the pool clean and vacuum every day to keep dirt and debris out. Do we need to take measures to reduce the phosphate level?
Phosphate Levels
- Thread starter RushPool
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,431
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Welcome to TFP.
Maintain the proper FC level for your CYA and phosphates will not matter. FC/CYA Levels
We recommend staying out of pool stores and doing your own testing.
I suggest you review ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Maintain the proper FC level for your CYA and phosphates will not matter. FC/CYA Levels
We recommend staying out of pool stores and doing your own testing.
I suggest you review ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
Thanks for the welcome. The pool chemistry is stable and we have no problems with our normal chemistry. I appreciate the quick response and will look through the reference you provided.
- May 23, 2015
- 24,400
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
- May 23, 2015
- 24,400
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
You should check with your municipal supplier or test your tap water for phosphates. Many municipal water districts add orthophosphate to the supply water to control corrosion especially if your water district has old cast iron water pipes with lead joints.
If your water supplier is using phosphates for corrosion control, then treating the pool water for phosphates is a losing battle.
If your water supplier is using phosphates for corrosion control, then treating the pool water for phosphates is a losing battle.
- May 23, 2015
- 24,400
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I suppose....some would argue that if phosphates are being continually added to the water, then it's a losing situation in terms of money and ease of care so you should just ignore the phosphates rather than spend the money to constantly treat them. I would be more on the side of treating for phosphates as long as it doesn't cost too much. Right now, I typically treat my pool once per season and that's fine by me. If I had to treat for phosphates every month, then I'd rather just spend more money on chlorine and not worry about it....."to each his own" as they say...or maybe that should be "pick your poison..."
Oh, if it were a monthly issue, I totally agree that it would fall into the "losing battle" category!
I looked-up my city water tests last year and I remember thinking that the added phosphates were significant, but maybe not - I didn't compare it to any other water supplies.
I looked-up my city water tests last year and I remember thinking that the added phosphates were significant, but maybe not - I didn't compare it to any other water supplies.