Algae blooms can turn a perfect pool into a murky green mess in days. Many pool owners reach for chlorine shock after chlorine shock, but the results rarely last. What if the real solution was not more chlorine but less phosphate?
That is exactly what one pool owner discovered after using PhosLocker Max, and the results were dramatic.
What Is Algae and Why Does It Grow in Pools
Before diving into the test and results, it helps to understand what algae really are.
Algae are tiny plant-like organisms that thrive in warm, nutrient-rich water. Once they get enough sunlight and phosphates, they multiply quickly — turning pool water cloudy, green, or even black.
There are a few common types of pool algae:
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Green algae: The most common kind, which floats freely and turns water cloudy or bright green.
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Yellow or mustard algae: Clings to shady walls and often resists brushing.
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Black algae: Grows in cracks and grout lines, forming dark, stubborn spots.
Phosphates are their main food source. They enter your pool from rain, debris, swimmers, fertilizers, or even some cleaning products. So as long as phosphates are in the water, algae always find a way back — no matter how much chlorine you add.
That’s why phosphate removal is key to lasting water clarity.
But what happens when algae completely takes over a pool? That’s where this test began.
The Challenge: A Pool Overrun with Algae
An 11,000 gallon pebble pool was left untreated on purpose to test how well PhosLocker could perform under tough conditions. Within days, the pool turned green with a heavy algae bloom.
Normally, clearing a pool like this would require a massive dose of chlorine, at least 10 parts per million or more, to kill off the algae and restore clear water. But this time, the approach was different.
One kilogram of PhosLocker Max phosphate remover was placed directly into the skimmer. Then, 5 ppm of liquid chlorine, about 56 ounces of 12.5 percent, was added around the pool at dusk. After a quick brush to circulate everything, the pool was left overnight.
The Results: Clear Water by Morning
By the next morning, the pool looked completely different. The green tint was gone. No visible algae remained, and the chlorine level still read at 0.8 ppm.
That meant the chlorine didn’t have to work as hard — it was simply more effective. The secret was in the phosphate removal. PhosLocker continuously removes phosphates, which are the main food source for algae. Once the phosphates were gone, the algae weakened and disappeared faster than usual.
Why It Worked
When phosphates are present in pool water, algae can thrive even if you use chlorine. That’s why so many pool owners feel trapped in a cycle of algae growth, shocking, and cleaning.
PhosLocker breaks that cycle. Its long lasting formula keeps removing phosphates for up to two months, making it harder for algae to return.
Even better, PhosLocker’s solid formula does not cloud the water or overload the filter. Unlike liquid phosphate removers that can cause cloudy water and strain your system, PhosLocker keeps your pool crystal clear and your filtration system running efficiently.
The Takeaway
With PhosLocker Max, the pool owner used about half the usual amount of chlorine, avoided cloudy water, and woke up to a sparkling clean pool. The algae was gone — and so was the stress of overusing chemicals.
If your pool is always fighting algae, the real issue may not be chlorine at all. It may be phosphates.
PhosLocker makes it easy to remove phosphates from pool water and keep your pool clear, balanced, and algae free for weeks at a time.