| Phosphates, Nitrites & Nitrates in Swimming | | | | live with, Nitrites (NO or NO2) are the problem |
| Pools. What they are & what they do: | | | | causers. |
| Phosphates & Nitrogen are 2 naturally occurring | | | | With either Phosphates, Nitrites or Nitrates present, |
| elements in nature. Phosphorous is a mineral & | | | | as long as a good, solid chlorine or bromine level is |
| nitrogen is a gas. In nature, they don't cause or | | | | maintained, there normally isn't a problem. However, |
| contribute to pool problems. However when they are | | | | when the chlorine is stressed out due to high bather |
| "added" to the pool water, problems can arise -- | | | | loads, parties, rainstorms, etc. or if there is an existing |
| especially in a poorly maintained situation. The two | | | | chlorine demand problem, phosphates & nitrates |
| most significant problems are moderate to severe | | | | just feed right into any algae present & the |
| algae blooms and chlorine demand. Both elements are | | | | problem worsens significantly. |
| essentially set up as a buffet table for any algae to | | | | In performing a side by side test to prove the |
| just come, eat & thrive. | | | | significance of phosphates in pool water, in pools |
| Phosphates typically come into the pool from lawn | | | | treated the same (filter run time, chlorine in the |
| care products; fertilizers, sprays, etc. Phosphates can | | | | skimmer, algaecide added weekly after an initial dose, |
| also come from dead skin cells! (Therefore, another | | | | pool shocked weekly to oxidize organic waste, good |
| good reason to shower before entering the pool.) | | | | water balance) there was no difference (phosphates |
| These lawn care products can be brought in from | | | | were virtually irrelevent in causing pool water |
| people walking on freshly treated areas where they | | | | problems) in water quality and clarity between the |
| are literally walked into the pool. They can also "drift" | | | | control pool and the pool that regular addition of |
| in when sprayed or just due to a windy day. | | | | phosphate made to the water (in the form of |
| Remember, phosphates can come from your yard, | | | | fertilizer). Bottom line: follow the 4 steps of good |
| your neighbor's yard or even from someone you | | | | pool water chemistry: 1. maintain a constant level of |
| don't even know who lives 3 blocks away. | | | | sanitizer (chlorine, bromine, biguanide, etc.); 2. Shock |
| Phosphates (or forms of phosphorous) are often | | | | the pool weekly to oxidize organic and environmental |
| added directly into pools (yes!) in the form of "metal | | | | waste; 3. Add algaecide weekly to prevent algae |
| removers" and "stain control" chemicals - all pool | | | | growth; 4. Maintain proper levels of pH, total alkalinity, |
| sequestering or chelating products contain | | | | calcium hardness. |
| phosphorous. | | | | Treating the problem: |
| Nitrogen can also come into your pool from lawn care | | | | 1. Maintain good water balance - pH 7.4 - 7.6, total |
| products, but more typical, it's a case of sweat | | | | alkalinity 125 - 150 ppm, calcium hardness 200 - 250 |
| (shower before using the pool), urine (use the | | | | ppm. |
| facilities before going into the pool) or other types of | | | | 2. Maintain a good chlorine or bromine residual in the |
| ammonia (ammonia is comprised of Nitrogen & | | | | water. |
| Hydrogen - NH4). If your local water supplier is using | | | | 3. Shock the pool (BioGuard Burn Out Extreme® , |
| chloramines to sanitize the water, then large amounts | | | | Smart Shock® & Oxysheen® -- |
| of ammonia & therefore nitrogen are getting | | | | especially with bromine--are good products) & |
| into the water. Algae loves both nitrogen AND | | | | add algicide (BioGuard® Back Up®, Algae All |
| phosphates (phosphorous). | | | | 60®) weekly. |
| Here's the typical scenario with Nitrogen. Nitrogen | | | | 4. Have a chlorine demand test done twice per |
| enters the water & combines with oxygen to | | | | season. If a chlorine demand exists, treat it |
| form Nitrites (NO2). The nitrogen will typically take | | | | thoroughly and aggressively. |
| the oxygen from the HOCl (hypochlorous acid - the | | | | 5. Make sure swimmers & bathers shower |
| form of chlorine that kills bacteria & algae) | | | | before using the pool. |
| thereby causing a Chlorine Demand. You will have a | | | | 6. If you know or suspect phosphates have been |
| difficult time maintaining chlorine, algae will thrive, the | | | | introduced into the pool, PhosFree® from Natural |
| water will become cloudy, etc. Once the nitrites have | | | | Chemistry® is a great product that will remove |
| taken on more oxygen & become Nitrates | | | | the phosphates from the pool water, thereby |
| (NO3), they are there to stay. The only way to | | | | depriving the algae of one of it's significant food |
| remove Nitrates from the water is to drain & | | | | sources. Some customers like using this product for |
| refill with fresh water that is hopefully not | | | | "peace of mind." |
| contaminated with Nitrites. Shocking & oxidizing | | | | Click here for further information on other "exotic |
| will help to a certain degree. Nitrates (NO3) you can | | | | pool care" issues. |