Fertilizer in pool

dave t · Postby **dave t** » Thu 02 Jun, 2011 05:40

I accidentally got some fertilizer in my pool. What kind of problems can I expect? It was probably less than 1/4 of a cup.

Postby **chem geek** » Thu 02 Jun, 2011 13:09

It will raise phosphates and nitrates which are algae food. So long as you maintain the appropriate Free Chlorine (FC) level relative to the Cyanuric Acid (CYA) level as shown in the Chlorine / CYA Chart, then the chlorine will kill algae faster than it can grow regardless of nutrient level. If you find yourself unable or unwilling to manage your FC/CYA ratio, say because you are using Trichlor tabs which continually add to CYA and you aren't raising your FC target accordingly, then you can spend more and get an algaecide or phosphate remover to help control algae growth.

Postby **czechmate** » Thu 02 Jun, 2011 13:38

Make sure you have some pool stain remover /sequestrian in the pool water when you start pool in the spring. It will suspend the iron that may get in by fertilizing surrounded areas.
It will make nasty brown spots that chlorine will not bleach and you will have to sand it of.

dave t · Postby **dave t** » Sat 04 Jun, 2011 10:01

Thanks for the responses. I am new to this pool thing so any insight is appreciated. If the fertilizer will really mess with the pool that much even is such a small quantity, I may not fertilize around the pool anymore.

Postby **chem geek** » Sat 04 Jun, 2011 15:15

I've had 3000+ ppb phosphates in my pool and prevented algae growth by simply maintaining the appropriate FC/CYA ratio. So one can certainly manage a pool high in algae nutrients (though such a pool is very reactive and unforgiving if you let the chlorine level get too low), but if you feel more comfortable keeping fertilizer away from your pool, that's your choice.

dave t · Postby **dave t** » Sun 05 Jun, 2011 06:40

chem geek - thanks for your helpful information.