Lanthanum Archives - Aquatic Facility Training and Consultants

How Phosphate Removers work

Post author:Rudy
Post published:November 21, 2021
Post category:Chemicals

I'm continuing with the specialty chemical thing. Last week we talked about how enzymes work. This time it's how phosphate removers work. Sadly, this is not something that everyone has…

Talking Pools Podcast

If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.

Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact.

Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day. And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities.

Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster. That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.

If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird.

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This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee, Shane, and Nick sit down with Lee from AIS Water for a fascinating deep dive into the world of saltwater chlorination, chlorinator cells, and the rare-earth metal quietly impacting pool owners across the globe: ruthenium.

AIS Water has spent more than three decades focused exclusively on saltwater chlorination, manufacturing everything from residential chlorinators to massive commercial systems used around the world. Lee shares insights from both the Australian and international markets while explaining why chlorinator replacement cells have become significantly more expensive in recent years.

The conversation explores how ruthenium—a critical component used in chlorinator cell coatings—has skyrocketed in price due to global supply constraints, geopolitical instability, increased demand from electronics and AI data centers, and reduced mining output. What once cost around $400 USD per ounce now costs more than $1,600 USD per ounce, creating major challenges for manufacturers and consumers alike.

The team discusses:

Why ruthenium is essential for modern reverse-polarity chlorinator cells
Whether alternative materials could eventually replace ruthenium
The real reasons some chlorinator cells last 10+ years while others struggle to survive warranty periods
How manufacturers balance quality, longevity, and rising production costs
Why reverse-polarity technology changed the industry forever
The differences between older mesh-style cells and modern flat-plate designs
How coating consistency impacts chlorine production and cell lifespan
Why AIS continues to prioritize long-term durability over lower-cost shortcuts

The discussion also ventures into water chemistry and operating conditions that dramatically affect chlorinator performance and longevity. Lee explains how low salt levels, improper testing methods, reverse-polarity frequency, phosphates, water temperature, and flow rates can all influence chlorine production and shorten cell life.

Listeners will learn:

Why running low salt levels can reduce cell life by thousands of hours
The difference between chloride testing and conductivity-based salt readings
Why TDS and actual salt levels are not the same thing
How cold water impacts chlorine generation
Best practices for winter chlorinator operation
Why some chlorinators produce exactly what their labels claim while others may not
The importance of understanding chlorinator output ratings and testing standards

The episode also touches on emerging wellness trends, including cold plunges and hot-cold therapy pools, and the unique challenges these environments create for saltwater chlorination systems.

Whether you're a service technician, retailer, builder, or simply someone who wants to better understand what is happening inside a saltwater chlorinator, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the science, engineering, and economics driving one of the most important pieces of equipment in modern swimming pools.

Got questions about saltwater chlorination, chlorinator cells, phosphates, magnesium chloride, or pool chemistry? Let us know and we may bring Lee back for a future episode.

Talking Pools Podcast – Mondays Down Under
Because sometimes the most important thing in your pool isn't what you can see—it's what is happening on a microscopic layer of ruthenium-coated titanium.

#SwimmingPools #PoolService #SaltWaterPools #PoolIndustry #PoolChemistry #TalkingPoolsPodcast #AISWater #PoolProfessionals

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Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:

Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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