Pools are exciting places for family and friends to be. The majority of the population love swimming and tend to do that often when free, say on weekends.
However, if you are a swimming enthusiast, you might get into a pool, have a fantastic time and the excitement that comes with swimming, and still have your nails and hair stained.
Sometimes when you get such occurrences, you ask yourself what might be the issue? The answer is the water in the pool is contaminated with iron. Will you still be comfortable enjoying time in the pool?
Will sand filter remove iron from pool water? We will look into the issues that come with iron contamination in the pool and how to use a sand filter to eliminate the iron from the pool water.
After removing the iron from the water, you will enjoy spending time in the pool and get out with your hair and nails still on point. Let’s get right into how to remove iron from pool water.
Indication of Excessive Iron in the Pool
The presence of iron in pool water is irritating, from staining your nails and hair to causing bacterial infections. You might not identify iron in the initial stages, but some symptoms indicate iron is present in water.
Iron is primarily responsible for dirty pool water without reason. That is why it is necessary to remove iron from pool water. Initially, the red color of the water is why you can suspect the presence of iron in pool water.
When the concentration soars, the color intensifies to deep brown and black. When the full moon shines on the water, a green or black layer on top of the water is visible.
Iron makes the water look dirty and unfriendly. These indications can be enough evidence of the iron present in your pool water but to be sure, testing your pool water is essential.
How Do You Identify The Contamination Of Iron In Water?
Before you buy a pool iron filter, it is good to determine the presence of iron in pool water. Pool stores have the necessary equipment handy when checking for levels of iron in the water.
Therefore, you should hand them a sample of your pool water so that they can test it. If you suspect your pool water contains water, testing it is advisable to be sure before concluding since the outcome may be different after testing the water.
Although iron may be present, it might be challenging to identify at normal levels. However, iron starts to be apparent by showing rusty brown color as concentration soars.
The color varies and sometimes may present as light green. Having iron in water is irritating and can discourage a lot of swimming enthusiasts from enjoying their hobby.
Can Iron In Water Make You Sick?
Iron is an essential element that has beneficial effects on the body when consumed. However, having iron invading your pool can turn out to be disastrous.
Iron can be a favorable breeding ground for bacteria; therefore, it can make you sick directly. Using disinfectants to eliminate iron is not always as effective; for example, chlorine loses activity if you use chlorine on the water with iron.
Iron is not harmful as it seems; however, its presence in the pool can favor the growth of bacteria such as legionella. Legionella is potent and causes legionnaires disease, which after exposure, you won’t be comfortable entering a pool unless sure it has no iron.
Regarding Sand Filter, One of the Perfect Options Available
Will sand filter remove iron from pool water? Pool water iron removal is one of the best things you can do to your swimming pool. Having an excellent water filtration system is key.
Sand filtration has proven to be effective in eliminating iron from pool water. A perfect sand filter system that gives excellent results for your pool has the following features.
Process And Installation
The sand filtration mechanism is the ideal way to eliminate floating and sinkable material and suspended matter from water. This method is thus effective when looking to eliminate iron from water.
Water contaminants are removed as water passes through the gravel bed and fine sand during the process. During the procedure, water pressure is likely to drop, and when that happens, rinsing the filter will solve your issue.
Differentiating discontinuous and persistent filtration is vital. Continuous filtration involves constantly collecting and rinsing off the sand for recycling purposes without altering the ongoing process.
On the other hand, discontinuous filtering consists in halting the process to rinse in a reverse direction. After filtering, you pump the water through the filter bed in the opposite direction.
Water is decontaminated as contaminants run alongside the rinse water. The filtration process can proceed. Water can either go through ground filtration during the filtration process or depth filtration.
Contaminants are collected as water enters the filter bed, while depth filtration involves the elimination of small size contaminants by adsorption by sand.
Surface filtration tends to be the simplest to carry out reverse rinsing than depth filtration. However, you can choose the one you think is appropriate for you..
A Definite Benefit Of A Sand Filter System
The sand filtration system is generally effective when eliminating iron from the pool water; however, it has more advantages, such as the one we see below.
The primary benefit of removing contaminants using a sand filtration system is the unit’s simplicity. You can use the system for multiple tasks and still get effective outcomes.
Using the sand filter allows you to install it in various phases of water control. This method is an effective pretreatment mechanism for either side-stream filtration or polishing filtration.
The Difficulty Of A Sand Filter
A sand filter is one of the very effective methods of removing iron from pool water. However, just like anything with benefits, the sand filter also has its own challenges when using it.
One of the primary difficulties of a sand filter system is the pollution of water used to rinse it since it runs alongside the contaminants. Therefore, disposing of the polluted water becomes an additional task.
When cleaning wastewater with a high load of contaminants, the sedimentation process is ideal. The process is carried out to ensure that the filter is not overloaded. By doing this, the user avoids repetitive filter re-rinse.
Application And Tips For Removing Iron From The Pool
Sand filtration is used to eliminate iron from the pool and provides efficacy in tasks requiring immense elimination of matter suspension from water.
Fields where sand filtration efficacy can work include pools, car washes, treatment of drinking water, and underground water treatment. Some of the implementations of using a sand filter system include the following;
- Disposal of iron found in groundwater
- When eliminating iron from sludge, water goes through the sand filtration system as the last water purification using mechanisms such as sedimentation and metal precipitation monitoring.
Environmental Attention
Making water contaminant-free is good, but you need to ask yourself, does the process affect the environment negatively, or is it environmentally friendly? Using an environmentally friendly method to lean water is advisable.
Sand filtration effectively eliminates water contaminants; however, the re-rinse stage results in water flowing with pollutants.
While the overall outcome is iron-free water, the negative effect is contaminants flowing along with rinse water. To dispose of the rinse water, treatment is necessary. Nonetheless, you will have extra costs.
However damaging the rinse water is, it can be an ideal choice in the chemical elimination of phosphates.
How Much Does A Sand Filter Cost?
The only place that will cost you a sand filter is the initial cost which ranges from $700 to $60,000. The filter used for a home pool set up measuring 12 m3/h is cheaper than the industrial setup, which utilizes a continuous water filter—the continuous water filter of 5m2 or 50m3/h costs higher ($60,000).
After acquiring the filter, you can now relax since the operating and maintenance cost is low since they are simple and need minimum care.
How Effective Is A Sand Filter?
Wondering how to get iron out of pool water? Filters are an essential thing to have around our households. However, not all iron filters are the same for getting clean water for consumption.
The sand filter system is effective in eliminating ferrous iron from the pool water. But does it eliminate other things apart from iron?
The studies from experts show that the water filter effectively eliminates 99.98% protozoan and 99.99% bacteria in the lab while eliminating 80-90% coliforms.
This comes with a 45% reduction in disease and diarrheal occurrences among users. However, the filter will provide you with optimum performance eliminating contaminants when given proper maintenance.
Is Sand Filtering A Difficult Process?
Sand filtration is an effective method you can use to remove iron from the pool. It might seem like Greek to newbies, but it turns out to be the most straightforward filtration process. Once you master the guide on using it, you are unlikely to experience any challenge at all.
Different Methods, How To Remove Iron From Pool Water?
How do you remove iron out of pool water? Although the sand filter system effectively removes iron from water, innovation cannot stop.
Therefore, apart from the sand filter, there are other methods through which you can free your water of iron. First of all, you should get your pool water to the lab for analysis.
After determining the iron concentration and other contaminants present, you will know how to get iron out of pool water. Therefore, you can explore different solutions available.
Shock Treatment Of The Pool
This is an effective method how to get rid of iron in pool water. This iron removal method from water can be carried out in two ways. One is a revelation that utilizes chlorine, while the other is a revelation that is not based on chlorine.
For an excellent outcome, you should have a pool specialist who has an in-depth understanding of the different methods of eliminating iron from the pool.
The specialist will advise you on the ideal method of removing iron particles from your pool water to take care of your needs.
Making a follow-up on the correct diagnosis is essential even after selecting the ideal method of treating your pool water. Having a pool expert who will advise you accordingly will make this apparent after consulting with him.
You might be new to this method and lack the know-how to use shock therapy. The kit for the same has straightforward and easy to follow to achieve the expected results.
When using shock therapy, iron in the water pool undergoes oxidation, separates from water in the form of rust, and settles at a single point. After the rust or brown iron is separated from the water, you need to eliminate it.
The shock treatment takes place for about 6-8 hours. Cleaning pool walls is essential to dropping iron in case it is there, and the dirt will enter into water and go through the cleaning process.
Flocculent Process
The flocculent process can be an effective but simple alternative way to remove iron from water. The process is more like the shock process since iron collects and settles at one point.
The iron collects in one spot after the affected water is exposed to a liquid substance called a flocculant. When using the flocculent method, you initially alter the direction of filtration in a reverse manner.
Take an approximate amount of flocculent you intend to put into water. Using a one-fifth gallon of the flocculent per 5000 gallons of freshwater is advisable for specific outcomes.
Add the flocculent to the pool water and allow it to mix with water to gather water in one spot. This method pushes iron down to settle at the bottom of the pool, and together with the flocculent, they settle down.
Once they reach the bottom and settle, you can pick them up and dispose of them away from the pool water. The flocculent method can be effectively used when eliminating iron as an alternative to the sand bed filtration practices.
Avoid Oxidation
Avoiding oxidation ensures that the metal does not react with oxygen in the water. Chelating agents are helpful when it comes to this. You will attach the agent to the pool water to form a compound in water.
The formation of the agent is an indication that you have successfully stopped the process of oxidation.
Use The Iron Remover Method
If there is high iron in pool water, the iron remover method is another effective iron elimination method from pool water. Low chlorine and P.H. level are essential to consider when undertaking the process.
When implementing this method, consider turning on the pump of the filter. You should avoid chlorinating water so that its level drops.
It would be best to allow chlorine levels in water to reduce to zero and make the P.H. of water acidic by adding a P.H. reducer. Allowing water P.H. to lower to 6.8 ppm is advisable.
Take accurate measurements of the iron remover that you should add to your water. For 5000 gallons of water, one-fifth of the iron remover is sufficient to clean it.
Allow the pool to sit overnight and increase the P.H. to 7.5 ppm, and the water is deemed clean. Knowing the distinction between iron-rich and calcium-rich water is essential for applying the iron remover method.
Calcium-rich water can be challenging to clean, and draining the pool ultimately can be the best method. Once you drain water from the pool, you can clean your pool and refill it with water from a different source.
If there are traces of iron present in the water, you can always apply the iron remover method to clean your pool water.
Is Iron In Healthy Water Risky?
Typically, there are benefits of iron required to perform its normal physiological functions. However, too much of something is poisonous; iron consumed at high doses leads to health risks.
According to experts, it is rare to get iron toxicity from drinking water. There is no immediate effect that iron has on an individual’s health.
The environmental protection agency has proven that iron is not considered a primary impurity in drinking water.
Therefore, there is no adverse effect when one consumes iron in drinking water as only a little iron is absorbed from the ingested water via the small intestines.
How Much Is Iron Safe In Well Water?
Even though iron is essential for the body to function physiologically, there are certain levels that iron content should not go beyond. The government usually determines the safe amount of iron in well water through states.
The environmental protection agency is tasked with deciding the safe iron levels in different forms. If you are unsure of how much iron is safe in your healthy water, consult the water department in your state to get the value.
However, having a slightly higher iron in your water is not hazardous since iron is a natural element.
Can Magnets Clean Water?
Iron being a magnetic material, can be attracted to a magnet. In other instances of iron contamination, interests are handy in eliminating iron. For water, you can use a magnet to remove magnetic materials in water, such as nails, needles, or pins.
Using interest for iron that contaminates pool water is futile since the iron is not too much to be eliminated by using a magnet. Therefore, a magnet is of no use in cleaning water.
Does Iron Water Cause Hair Loss?
Iron contamination in water can stain your hair and nails once you enter a pool with iron contaminated water. The stains are always irritating and that is why you should know how to get iron out of swimming pool water.
This phenomenon is experienced because the presence of iron in water increases the degree of water hardness that stains your hair; this will lead to additional costs on shampoo to remove stains from hair.
Where Does Iron Arise From?
Iron can be primarily found in water; if the source water is underground water, then iron presence should not surprise you. Well, water contains an alloy of water in an ionic state.
However, if you clean the water from iron, you can still find iron in your pool water. How is this possible? If you are using metallic pipes to convey water, the iron from the pipe can be corroded into the pool.
Typically, iron is one element that forms the earth’s core. It can be found in the soil; therefore, it should be normal to find traces of iron when water is from the ground.
How To Remove Rust From Pool Water?
Rust in pool water can result from increased iron concentration in pool water. While removing iron from water might seem easy, knowing how to remove rust from pool water, on the other hand, is a challenge if you have no clue how to do so.
Therefore below are some of the common ways you can use to free your water from rust. The stock method uses a protective gear to fill up a sock with P.H. reducers such as sodium bisulfate or ascorbic acid.
Tie the knot on the hose to keep the reducer contained. Use a pool pole to hold the sock in position at the spot where the stain is located.
The magnitude and age of the rust determine how long the P.H. reducer will usually remain effective, with 5-15 minutes.
Jandy stain master is one of the excellent ways to remove rust from your pool water. The stain master is designed to take liquid acid from the bottleneck into the pool surface under a 3-inch spherical cup.
This method is effective in underwater acid washing of small areas. Other effective methods for removing rust from water include vitamin C tablets, plaster repair, pipe method, and underwater sanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does A Sand Filter Last?
The sand filter is one of the most durable filtration systems you can have. With proper care, the filter can deliver optimum performance for a longer time.
Typically, the filter can last from 15 to 25 years or even more. From time to time, you might replace some parts like valves and gaskets, but replacing them for many years may be monotonous. Also, it does not require high maintenance costs.
Do You Need Chemicals with Sand Filters?
Chemicals can be an ideal way to improve the efficacy of a sand filter system. When cleaning your pool water, chlorine can be an excellent choice to use alongside the sand filter.
Chlorine is handy in sanitizing water. While the filter eliminates tangible contaminants, chlorine, on the other hand, takes care of bacteria. Therefore, both of them function correctly.
What Happens If You Put Too Much Sand In A Sand Filter?
There is a correct amount of sand that should be put in a sand filter to run effectively and perform optimally. If you put too much sand in your sand filter, chances are, your filter may not run normally and effectively.
Also, too many sand particles increase the risk of the breakdown of the unit when reassembling it. Therefore, to ascertain the correct amount of sand to use in your filter, go through the manufacturer’s specifications.
Can You Use Salt Water With A Sand Filter?
Saltwater might not be appropriate for the pool users; therefore, making it enjoyable is critical. Using a sand filter in a salty water pool ensures high levels of hygiene in water, thus making water safe and healthy to use.
From the discussion, you can use the sand filter with salty water since the sand filter is cost-effective and efficient in cleaning water.
How Do I Know If My Sand Filter Needs New Sand?
The sand filter is a very durable filter for your pool water. Depending on the magnitude of work, the frequency at which you should change your sand in the filter ranges from 3 to 5 years or even 5-7 years.
The indication that the filter needs new sand is if you backwash it frequently, if the dirt buildup at the bottom of the pool or if the water appears cloudy.
Does Sand Damage The Pool Pump?
Sand is likely to damage your pool pump, yes. Therefore, to avoid the damage, you should manually eliminate debris and algae from your pool if possible.
Also, if you can vacuum the sand, ensure that you put the sand to waste so that it cannot damage your pool pump.
Final Thoughts
Swimming pools are areas for recreation, and it wouldn’t be an excellent experience to have a pool that, after enjoying your contact with water, you get sick or regret. Iron should not be the limiting factor to your joy.
Will sand filter remove iron from pool water? Yes, using the sand filter to eliminate iron from pool water is an ideal solution to this problem.
Swimming in water will little, or no iron comes with great pleasure and excitement. You feel safe and will be yearning to enjoy the experience time and again without any worry of getting contaminated.
To avoid the stress of increasing iron concentration in water, have your water tested by pool experts. They will advise you on the level of the contaminants and the appropriate approach to eliminating the iron.
Once you apply the method, the pool water gets back to normal, and you can enjoy your swimming as usual.