If you find yourself with an ongoing swimming pool algae problem, you are running your equipment the appropriate amount of time, have plenty of chlorine, and your pH and alkalinity levels are balanced your water should be tested for its level of phosphates in the water.

In the search for treatment of your recurring algae problem, you might find yourself wondering, “What are phosphates and how do they get in my pool?” Well they are compounds of the nonmetallic element phosphorous and are an essential nutrient for plant growth. Sound familiar? Well, according to the lake and pool industry, nitrates, phosphates and carbon are primary foods for algae growth. These phosphates enter your pool water in different ways but mainly through vegetation, rain or water run-off, tree bark and other organic matter.

In order to find out the concentration of phosphates in your swimming pool water you can use liquid tests, tabs, and test strips that will give you an accurate reading. If you find that you have above 5000ppb, parts per billion, in your swimming pool water you would need to drain and refill your pool. If your results are anywhere from 1000ppb to 5000ppb, your best option would be to give your swimming pool a phosphate treatment.

A phosphate treatment is the removal of phosphate nutrients in the pool water that algae likes to feed on. Phosphate treatments are based on lanthanum, a rare earth compound that reacts with the phosphates and precipitates them from solution. This drastically reduces the phosphate concentration in the water. Using a phosphate treatment in conjunction with your chlorine or other sanitizers will add another layer of algae control for your swimming pool.

Removal of phosphates from your swimming pool is important in maintaining a healthy water quality. Periodically, your swimming pool should be tested to make sure that the phosphate levels are depressed since swimmers and other sources are the source of new phosphates. Regular maintenance can reduce and aid in chlorine performance and efficiency, and best of all, no algae problems.

If you think you might have a phosphate problem, feel free to ask one of our qualified technicians to test your water and if a problem is found to treat it appropriately. Here are Pool Sharks we are happy to help all of our friends.

Many people think that a hot tub or a pool spa requires the same care as a swimming pool. However, proper spa maintenance can lengthen the life of the water and keep it with a proper balance and therefore prevent sanitary and equipment problems before they arise.

High bather loads cannot be safely handled over long periods of time without having to drain the spa more often. The following is a guideline to follow in order to estimate how often to drain a pool spa.

• Divide your total spa gallons by 3.
• Take your results and divide them by your Bather Load, or your average number of bathers per day.
• The result equals to the estimated number of days between water changes recommended to properly maintain your pool spa or hot tub.

For example, a 600 gallon spa with an average of 2 people per day Bather Load will need to be maintained by draining it every 100 days.

Periodic draining of your pool spa or hot tub water is the most important component of proper spa water maintenance. Once you have determined how often your spa needs to be drained you can schedule service with our pool experts here at Pool Sharks.