Orenda PR-10,000 - Frequently Asked Questions

[@PoisonShot20]

First time using Phosfate remover( PR-10,000) excent product. Spoke with Miguel, a very knoleable dude and very pleasant to chat with. I also bought the Metal Out (SC-1,000) from them, which does not add phosfate to the water.

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Glad Miguel could help! He’s our best and brightest

[@markcatcash4688]

I have never checked for Phosphates but had a guy recommend this product and said he uses it yearly. I have a 22K pool and started out by just adding 4oz and the water got cloudy and it did raise my filter pressure which is rare since I have a way over sized filter. But now a few days later my water has never looked clearer!. I added the remaining 4oz today to see if it will do even a better job. I am a person who doesn't like to add stuff to my pool but I am sold :)

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Thank you! You’re adding something to take more out than you’re putting in. So it’s a net removal. Like you, we want to remove things from water, not keep adding more.

[@rebekahlogan7835]

Just to make sure I understand correctly- I do not need a pool vacuum, right? I can add the phosphate remover, let it do it’s thing, and once the water is clear, wash my filter? I have a cartridge filter for my in ground pool. Thank you!

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Most of the dust should be filtered out, yes, but some may still reach the floor. If you don’t vac it, you’ll need to brush it to the main drain to be filtered out.

[@S3thousand]

Ive cleaned pools for 22 years in Kingwood Tx. Its a forest. Its called the livable forest. As a Houston suburb where we can easily get 5" of rain in an hour, with yards, gardens and pavements washing into the pools during common afternoon thunderstorms, or the occasional hurricane, the annual fall tree leaf debris load measured in dozens of pounds, and spring pollen and seed debris weighing in the same, dozens of pounds, the phosphate levels are extremely high. I started using this product this year and im loving it. I attacked phosphates a few years ago using Phos Free from Leslie's and found it made no difference except in the cost of doing business. Then all these yaks on the internet saying " forget phosphates" "you shouldn't need it" So i did. But those guys have no clue the amont of trash and mud and crap the pools in some regions can take in. So ive been using the Orenda this spring and it works.

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Glad to hear it’s working for you! But if you’ve got that kind of organic loading, just wait until you start using CV-600 or CV-700 enzyme. Purge dose once a year, and a few ounces per 10k gallons a week. When things DO get in your pool, the enzymes will go to work to break the organics down. What you described is a perfect enzyme case.

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Thanks! Glad PR-10,000 is working for you. Just wait until you purge these pools with CV-600 or CV-700 enzymes. What you described is a perfect case for enzymes.

[@S3thousand]

@@OrendaTechnologies ill check it out thanks. I literally just walked in from my friday route. And the improvement im finding after using the PR 10,000 in May is remarkable. Im home early, because the pools are now so trouble free. And thats been the same all week. Its a life saver. Im using less shock, and less No Mor Problems which is a fine product, but as a weekly dose does gets expensive. Im hoping to stop using it altogether. In fact i expect to. Im going to always have the PR 10,000 on hand and include a maintenance dose as the need arises. Its funny, somebody gave me a quart bottle last year. I cant even remember who it was. It sat in my garage since last summer, and i just on a whim threw it in my truck a figured id try it in a very problematic pool. A nasty pool that starts growing algie on the walls as soon as it warms up each year. And it never did. I was hooked. Im on my 5th gallon. And this gallon will last because ive now initial dosed all the ones that need it. And i am following the directions. Thanks again.

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Well John this just made our week. Thank you for sharing this! Please email [e-mail] so we can introduce you to our local rep.

[@artvargas9318]

I added PR-10000 to my pool a few days ago to see if it would clear my cloudy pool. My phosphate level was at 290 ppb. I added 4oz for 20000 gallon pool and the next morning my pool was crystal clear. The next day I had the phospate level retested and it was now at 228 ppb. My CYA is high at 190 and TDS also high at 3900. I would of thought that the 4oz would have brought it closer to zero. My filter has been running 24/7 since I started. Am I incorrect in my expected outcome or is the product still working and I tested to soon?

[@PoisonShot20]

About adding calcium?

[@lindak-o8n]

I use hydrogen peroxide for my pool. I added the pr 10000 and my water has turned yellow. The cartridge filter turns rust colored. I added a clarifier, but it has not helped. It has been two days and the water is still not clear. Any advice?

[@paulnye1899]

Some comments I have read say do not run the pool filter when adding PR-10,000 and others say to pour in PR-10,000 and run the pool for 24 hours. Which is correct? Also, I have a Dolphin Supreme M5. Can I use this to vacuum the bottom instead of waste waster vacuuming when cloud disappears?

[@johnkenney7217]

Do phosphates contribute to having high combined chlorine level? I have 2000 ppb phosphate in a brand new gunite/plaster spa that has had no people in it yet and no organic matter. I guess it must have come from city water, but it also mysteriously seems to be rising.

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Nope. Not correlated. 2000 ppb is likely from the tap water. We’ve seen over 3600 ppb in drinking water before. In Charlotte it’s over 1400 ppb. It will accumulate over time unless regularly removed. Phosphates also come from the environment around the pool.

[@Kaibyrd1]

I have a saltwater pool - should I turn the pump off and let it settle then vac to waste or leave the pump on filter?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

It depends on how hard you’re treating it. A smaller dose should just keep circulation and filtration on. But if you’re hitting the pool with a LOT of PR to wipe out high levels of phosphates, it might be easier to shut off circulation and wait for gravity to floc it to the floor for vacuuming. Up to you.

[@jamesrizzi8073]

Fantastic product. Used 32 oz and reduced readings from 2500ppm to zero. what is recommended maintenance dosage.

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Awesome! Love it when a plan comes together.

[@briancapps7663]

I read the label and it said that I cannot use it in D.E. FILTER.

[@OrendaTechnologies]

You can, just monitor filter pressure. We have tens of thousands of customers who use PR-10,000 in DE filtered pools. If you’re doing a heavy treatment, time it a day or two before a scheduled filter cleaning and DE replacement.

[@TheGamerVillage]

If I run the filter and don’t backwash immediately will the particulate breakdown? If it breaks down will I have phosphates again?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

It will not breakdown, and no, once it’s precipitated the phosphates cannot come back into solution.

[@scottbroadbent2086]

I have a cartridge filter system with no backwash or waste. My only vac is a robot vac. How do I clean up?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Your best bet would be to do small treatments and let your filter remove the precipitate. ask.orendatech.com/knowledge/do-i-have-to-clean-my-filter-after-using-pr-10000

[@alejandrov932]

How long will the water be cloudy for if I leave the pump running on its scheduled time?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Depends on your dose and how much phosphates you had to begin with. And if you’ve got a lot of organics and oils. Usually about 24 hours. Could be longer if you’ve got dirty water, because oils float and PR dust sinks…if they stick together they stay suspended longer.

[@AidenVillarreal-s5i]

Added phosphate remover and a black spot appeared on the floor immediately after, I tried scrubbing and it didn’t do anything, what do I do??

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Were you using a sequestering agent? usually stains like this happen because PR-10,000 wipes out phosphate-based sequestering agents, and the metals bound to them get oxidized quickly and stain

[@christophet249]

Leslie's calculated my phosphate level at >5000 ppb. Should I do 2 (or 3) separate treatments at 8 ounces per 10000 gallons? I have a 32,000 gallon fiberglass pool.

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Yes, or if you’re willing to shut off circulation overnight and let gravity drop everything out, then vacuum to waste, you could do it all at once. Could take a few days to clear though… clearing is accelerated if you also remove oils and organics. ask.orendatech.com/knowledge/pool-is-still-cloudy-after-using-pr-10000

[@erickrhernandez1451]

Do I need to brush before or after pouring in phosphates remover into the pool? Or brushing is not necessary?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Brushing is always a good idea during routine maintenance, but not part of PR-10,000 treatments. UNLESS the dust settles to the floor and you have no way of vacuuming to waste. Then brushing it up can help it get filtered out. Monitor filter pressure after using the product though.

[@louisfain]

Can I add acid to the pool while the pool is still cloudy?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Yes

[@pranaysharmadel]

Added 24oz PR-10000 to my 30k gallon pool. It’s been 3 days and filter has been running 8hrs a day. There is no visible difference in cloudiness. I also cleaned the filter cartridges yesterday and still no luck. Do I need to use a clarifier?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Still cloudy after 3 days? Something must be interfering in the fallout process. It’s likely oils (floating) sticking to the dust (trying to sink). That can stay suspended longer. Try turning off circulation and letting gravity win. To accelerate it, you can use CV-600 to remove the oils. ask.orendatech.com/knowledge/pool-is-still-cloudy-after-using-pr-10000

[@regiswheeler9866]

what is the longest period possible before vacuuming and filtering? (my filter is in repair)

[@OrendaTechnologies]

That’s a loaded question. Read the PR-10,000 section in our help center, ask.orendatech.com for more specifics. Too many nuances we don’t know about your pool to answer that here.

[@BJJandBS]

Ive been using ORENDA for a couple of years but pouring it into the skimmer. Is that not right???

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Thanks for using our products! PR-10,000 should not be poured directly into the skimmer. Instead, either pour it around the perimeter or broadcast it across the surface. Our other products CV-600/700 and SC-1000 should be poured directly into the skimmer.

[@BJJandBS]

@@OrendaTechnologies well that sucks. lol. ive been wasting your product for years. oops

[@OrendaTechnologies]

The Happy Hour Hound no, it wasn’t a waste. You were still removing phosphates, but it was a lot less efficient.

[@grassthief1280]

Hi just discovered ORENDA products I balance my pool with a photometer tablet pretty accurate best tool I purchased to date with having pool now for 3 yrs just learning how to chemicals my question I purchased cv600 & pr10k, I've added CV for first time last week without knowing that shouldn't add CV6, after I shocked my pool so my chlorine level I believe was around 10ppm , oh well need to start some where now I was gonna add PR, with my chlorine around 6ppm , is this ok ???

[@OrendaTechnologies]

While your chlorine is high, it will come down as it oxidizes and disinfects, so I wouldn't worry too much about the high levels right now. Our products will work just fine with what you are describing. Thanks for becoming a customer! We hope you love your new water quality.

[@lindamarino1717]

I have an 20,000 gallon pool, are you saying I should add 16 oz of phosphate remover product at one time? Or do they need to be spaced out , 8 oz. at a time? Once added to the pool, I do not have a pool vacuum, how long should I run the filter for before backwashing it ? (I just got through backwashing it, so it is clean). Current phosphates are about 3500ppb.

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Thanks for your question. You should be fine using 16oz for your 20,000 gallon pool. Once added you can run your filter until it clears out completely (probably around 3 days)

[@dylan_husqy27]

Is it safe to use in fish ponds?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Many fish ponds use it, but we strongly advise removing the fish temporarily, cleaning out the dust, then putting the fish back in if possible.

[@jamesrizzi8073]

My chlorine level is high can I add PR 10,000 if it is above 5ppm

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Absolutely.

[@leeaday9610]

Is the PR-10,000 safe for pets who swin and drink the pool water?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Yes, once it’s cleared up.

[@89vette1]

Does a salt water pool make a difference? How long before you can go back in pool? When it clears?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Salt will not make a difference. And technically its safe to swim while it's cloudy, but we don't recommend. The official answer is to wait until it has cleared, so you can clearly see the main drains. If it is too cloudy to see the main drains, the pool should be closed.

[@bludika]

can the PR10,000 be added to the skimmer?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Please don’t. ask.orendatech.com/knowledge/can-pr-10000-be-added-directly-into-the-filter

[@RR-qw6oq]

If I want to Retest the water after using PR-10,000, is there a period of time the pool needs to run with a clean filter before testing?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Not really, just wait until the sediment is removed and the water clears.

[@Jazz-and-Coffee]

I just used one quart in my 20000 gal pool 2 days ago… pool store guy said phosphate were off the chart. I vacuumed the next day and filter was packed so I did a complex DE removal (not just backwash) with all the trapped phosphate tiles (the chunks look like little squares all over the DE.. so cool). But now with fresh DE , I’m still I’m picking up more of the trapped phosphates in the filter. QUESTION: can I wait a month or more until I clean the DE out again? Or will the ‘trapped phosphates’ still feed algae and cause me to use tons more chlorine because it’s still feeding on it?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Dean, the phosphate dust/fallout is inert and cannot be used as nutrients. So just monitor your filter pressure and clean it when you need to based on that. Yes the dust is annoying, but it’s part of the removal process.

[@Keep-on-ok]

That was my question too! I have treated my 10,000 gal chlorine pool with 32 ounces, 8 oz at a time and vacuumed the pool and cleaned my cartridge filters. I still have a reading of 2500 from my pool store. My plan is to keep adding 8 oz at a time until I get a zero reading.

[@Sht855]

I need to add more than 8oz. If its 8oz at a time how long before I add the next dose?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Great question. 8 oz. per 10,000 gal in a single dose is our maximum recommended dose because of the amount of dust that can build pressure in your filter. So if you clean out/backwash your filter, you could use more immediately after that.

[@Keep-on-ok]

After the initial application, how often should I add PR 10,000 to a 10k gal. Pool?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Depends on how your phosphate levels vary during the season/year. You can add a cap full of PR-10,000 every other week (1 or 2 ounces) and most likely stay on top of it. If the reaction is bigger than a basketball, you should do a full treatment, 8 ounces per 10,000 gal.

[@Keep-on-ok]

@@OrendaTechnologies It’s pretty big issue. I have added 8 ounces 4 times now. The phosphates are still too high!

[@OrendaTechnologies]

@@Keep-on-ok That's ok, be patient with it. It's better to split your dose and slowly bring your phosphate levels down rather than overdosing and having too much precipitate and overwhelming your filter

[@Keep-on-ok]

@@OrendaTechnologies The pool store liked my water sample today! 👍 They said everything looks fine!

[@OrendaTechnologies]

@@Keep-on-ok Wonderful!

[@FixItWithMe]

Hi Orenda!!! :) I just recently bought a house with a concrete inground pool. The previous owner used nature chemistry’s pool perfect with phosfree (lanthanum). Can I now use pr-10,000?? Is there any side affects of using both chemicals in the pool? Thanks!!!!

[@FixItWithMe]

Also, any problem with mixing cv-700 if previous owner used pool perfect with phosfree?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Hi, thanks for watching our videos! You can absolutely use our products in your pool without chemical conflicts. There should not be any adverse side effects with those products.

[@robober7251]

Is it possible to vacuum the phosphate dust with a Hammerhead or similar vacuum? Thank you.

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Unfortunately those types of vacuums struggle against phosphate dust. Because the dust is very small, it will usually go right through the bag on the hammerhead.

[@carrtex]

Vacuum in waste mode if possible, or vacuum then clean the filter afterwards

[@henrysand51]

Can pr10000 remove metal on swimming pools? Like copper or iron

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Not directly, no. But it may be able to save you 15% or more in car insurance. Oh wait sorry. That’s...that’s not right, our mistake. Try SC-1000 and some ascorbic (citric) acid.

[@stafawu]

When is it recommended to treat the water? Any time or before or after shocking?

[@stafawu]

To add to my previous comment my free chlorine and total chlorine is at a 3.

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Hi Moustafa! PR-10,000 can be used just about any time. It can work just as well immediately after a chlorine shock as it can on its own. That said, if you are also going to be shocking with chlorine, do PR-10,000 immediately afterward.

[@mz.k1776]

How long until the pool is safe to swim in after adding PR-10,000?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

PR-10,000 and all Orenda products are NSF-50 certified nontoxic/non hazardous. You can swim immediately after adding it, unless it’s too cloudy to see the bottom of the pool. But that’s for visibility, not toxicity.

[@fargobill]

will the water only cloud up if there are phosphates to remove or will it always cloud up regardless of the level of phosphates? TIA

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Great question, and yes it will react with phosphates first. If phosphates are gone, PR will interact with other things, but as far as we know, they don’t cloud up. So if the water clouds, it was phosphates of some kind. If not, very little (or no) phosphates were present.

[@fargobill]

@@OrendaTechnologies Thank you. I have an ongoing phosphate issue in my Koi pond. I have been using 2 oz a day in 1500 gallons for about a month now. Getting expensive =) Cheers

[@JonathanLGN]

fargobill didn’t know that was safe to use with fish? Interesting

[@fargobill]

@@JonathanLGN No issues with the fish at all. Happy & Healthy.

[@elainehmiller]

How often does a pool need additional dosage of PR 10000 after the initial treatment? What is the phosphate threshold for adding PR 10000?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Use PR-10,000 as needed to keep phosphate levels below 500 ppb. Frequency of treatment completely depends on your phosphate sources (is phosphate in your tap water? Is there a lot of vegetation and fertilizer around the pool? Etc.). Most residential pools treat about once every other month. Some prefer a small amount every other week. It’s all your preference.

[@Keep-on-ok]

I bought a phosphate tester.

[@davislm82]

Can I add algaecide after adding PR 10,000?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Yes you can. Just pay attention to whatever byproducts are left behind by the algaecide.

[@Abramentho]

How much to add to a 300 gal spa?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Maybe a teaspoon at a time.

[@Abramentho]

Thank you sooooooo much! This stuff works great!!!

[@lindaswain3216]

Can I add muriatic acid and PR-10000 at the same time?

[@OrendaTechnologies]

Yes you can. Dilute the acid in a bucket of water, but do not dilute PR, add it straight to the pool around the perimeter.