Would a water softener remove iron and metals?

[PoolDoc]

I am wondering if anyone has successfully removed dissolved metals by passing pool water through a resin bed similar to a water softener? I happen to have one I'm not using and

A softener will work . . . for one pass.

The problem is, when you capture metals in the presence of an oxidizer like chlorine, some of the metal will be converted to the oxidized and insoluble form. In this form, saline regeneration will NOT remove the metals, so you have to use sodium hydrosulfite, one of the ingredients in "Iron Out". If your softener supplier doesn't make that available in practical quantities, you can buy Iron Out in bulk from Summit Brands.

However, a softener is better applied to the water supply PRIOR to any chlorination or other oxidation.

I've read about and have seen the small metal removal packets at the pool store......but I'm skeptical............and I would enjoy tinkering around to see if I can lower my dissolved iron using water softener resin.

If you want to tinker, fine. If you just want to get-it-done, I'd recommend trying the CuLators. We *think* they work, and their reported mode of action is very similar to that of a zeolite resin, like what's used in softeners. However, their attraction for metals is supposed to be higher, than ordinary zeolites.

[whokluvr]

Thank You,

My knowledge of chemistry is almost non existent so your response is exactly the type of info I was looking for. I installed the water softener last night because I was confident it would reduce iron in my non-chlorinated well water when refilling. It's also plumbed so I can switch a few valves and circulate chlorinated pool water thru it and if the cost the chemical you describe is reasonable I will probably give it a try. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

That leads to another question.....Can I simply replace the common salt in the brine tank with sodium hydrosulfite and get effective resin regeneration on both chlorinated and non chlorinated water? If not I can easily rig up a special tank.

Thanks again!

[PoolDoc]

No, sodium hydro does NOT replace salt; it just puts the iron back into a form the salt can 'release'.

[whokluvr]

Sorry to keep bothering you with questions. I'm uncertain if you are suggesting the sodium hydro can be added to the brine tank or if I need to expose the resin to two independent regen cycles, the first being sodium hydro and the second being salt/brine to actually release the accumulated iron from the resin. I suspect the latter but just wanted to be sure.

Thanks again

[PoolDoc]

I know how to hydro, in general -- but before you use it with YOUR unit, you need to talk to the maker and ask them how you can use hydro with YOUR model of softener