LaMotte WaterLink 3 Express Lab User Manual

Page 13

PHOSPHATE- STRIP

CODE 3021-H-6

QUANTITY

CONTENTS

CODE

50 Strips

Insta-TEST

Low Range Phosphate Strips

3021

Test tube, plastic, with cap

0106

Algae is probably the most annoying water problem in outdoor pools

because it is unsightly and difficult to destroy. Algae multiplies so rapidly,

that by the time the human eye can notice it there are billions of algae cells

in the pool. Phosphate is a nutrient for algae. Some phosphates come from

natural sources such as rivers, lakes, oceans or mined rock. Other sources

of phosphate include fertilizer, organic debris such as leaves and grass,

and some pool chemicals.

Phosphate containing compounds, such as sequestering agents, are

added to swimming pools as phosphonates. Algae can not use this

combined form of phosphate until it is eventually broken down by chlorine

to the ortho-phosphate form. Algae thrive on ortho-phosphate so this

is the form of phosphate that concerns pool owners. The greater the

concentration of ortho-phosphate, the more the algae flourishes and the

more resistant it becomes to sanitizers. If ortho-phosphate is removed from

the pool it is harder for algae to grow.

APPLICATION:

Swimming pools

RANGE:

0 – 1000 ppb

INTERFERENCES:

Copper (5 ppm or greater), ferric iron, arsenate and

silica will interfere.

NOTE: The Natural Chemistry

PHOS-TEST strip can be used for this test.

Testing with the W

aterLink

3 Express Lab