Preventing issues related to phosphates
Phosphate testing and removal should be included as part of the hot tub maintenance routine. Phosphates are still not tested as widely as standard water parameters such as pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness. To prevent issues related to high phosphate concentrations, levels must be monitored diligently to ensure they remain low. Orthophosphates are the only form of phosphates that will show up on water test kits and the only form that can be affected by current phosphate remover products.
Maintaining a phosphate residual of less than 125 ppb is the key to preventing phosphate-related issues in the hot tub environment. Near-zero levels of phosphates lead to less accumulation of calcium phosphate scale, as well as an increase in water clarity and overall water quality. Fewer phosphates in the water lead to less contaminants, which means less problems to deal with in the hot tub. Phosphate removers are specialty chemicals used to reduce orthophosphates from pool and hot tub water. These use minerals that react quickly with orthophosphate to produce an insoluble phosphate compound that can be removed by the filter.
In a hot tub, the white precipitation formed when adding a phosphate remover will cause the water to appear hazy for a short period of time, but the rapid turnover rates in hot tubs will see the water become clean in a few hours. The filter will physically remove phosphates from the water as it filters out the insoluble compound. Per application directions, phosphate removing products outline an initial dose to be followed with a weekly maintenance dose to keep the phosphate level as low as possible.
It is imperative to clean the hot tub filter before and after the addition of the initial dose of hot tub phosphate remover. A clean filter upon product addition will allow for the efficient removal of phosphates, and cleaning the filter after the treatment will ensure proper filtration as regular maintenance resumes.
Conclusion
Removing phosphate is not just a passing trend in water care. With more hot tubs using newer technologies, maintaining water quality is more important than ever. A complete hot tub maintenance routine should include phosphate testing and removal in addition to the traditional components of sanitizing, oxidizing, and balancing hot tub water chemistry.
Water balance and equipment protection, as well as water clarity, is easier to maintain when phosphates are less than 125 ppb. In saltwater hot tubs, removing phosphates is a key component in limiting the formation of calcium phosphate and ensuring the efficient operation of the chlorine generator. Hot tub manufacturers that offer saltwater systems often require the control of phosphate levels to validate warranties. By adding a phosphate remover to traditional hot tub maintenance programs will decrease water and equipment problems and increase customer satisfaction with the look and feel of their water.
Alicia Stephens is the education and training manager for Biolab Inc. In her 19 years with the company, she has focused primarily on education, training, and development, as well as technical support and new product research and integration. Currently, Stephens supports all education and training initiatives for the Biolab Pro Dealer division. She can be reached via email at alicia.stephens@biolabinc.com.
Anjelica Swanson is a technical services analyst for Biolab Inc. She is a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) and has more than eight years of experience working in research and development. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Swanson can be reached via email at anjelica.swanson@biolabinc.com.
