Description
Nophos is a highly concentrated liquid treatment that works for recurring algae problems due to excess phosphates in the water. It is an effective way to prevent algae growth by acting directly on the phosphates they feed on and enhancing the action of disinfectants and algaecides. Phosphates are agglomerated by Nophos, retained in the filter, and then eliminated. Nophos is compatible with all treatment methods and filtration systems.
For curative action
In case of recurring algae problems or high phosphate levels in the water (> 0.1 mg/l), pour 50 ml of Nophos per 10 m³ of water directly into the skimmer. After treatment, if the phosphate concentration is still high, repeat the dosage.
For preventive action
- If you have a cartridge or diatom filter, pour Nophos directly into the pool in the evening after swimming, at a rate of 20 ml of product per 10 m³ of water, in front of the discharge nozzles, with the filtration system running.
- If you have a sand filter, place Superflock Plus, a flexible flocculant cartridge specially designed for sand filters and containing lanthanum, a highly effective anti-phosphate agent, in your skimmer basket. The product acts effectively and continuously against cloudy water while eliminating phosphates.
Phosphates in swimming pool water
What are phosphates?
Phosphates are chemical compounds containing phosphorus and oxygen. They are essential nutrients needed to support life and form part of the process used to fuel cell growth and maintenance. Plants use photosynthesis to convert and store energy from sunlight using complex biochemical reactions involving phosphates. Phosphates are therefore a major nutrient source for algae growth in swimming pool water, supporting their development even in the presence of chlorine. Removing them will dramatically reduce the potential for algae growth.
Where do phosphates come from?
Phosphate salts are retrieved from naturally occurring minerals, which are mined, refined, and purified for use in many applications. They can enter the swimming pool via mains top-up water, plant waste, urine, agricultural and garden run-off following heavy rain and even airborne dust. As time passes these phosphates gradually accumulate in the pool water, especially when there is a lack of replacement with fresh water. Even this is not a complete remedy as mains water contains a certain level of phosphate, which in some cases may be as much as 1,000ppb.
When is it a problem?
Algae growth accelerates even in the presence of chlorine at phosphate levels in the region of 300ppb. This is equivalent to having 30g of phosphate in a pool of 100m3 capacity. When measuring phosphates in swimming pool water we are dealing with relatively low concentrations and therefore use parts per billion (ppb) as opposed to parts per million (ppm) [100ppb = 0.1ppm]. To eliminate the problem and maintain the maximum efficiency of chlorine, it is generally considered that the concentration of phosphate should be maintained at less than 100ppb, which may be achieved by using Nophos
