You only want to keep it in suspension, till you can remove it. And you usually can't remove "invisible" -- dissolved -- iron. What does seem to happen is that if you:
1. use an effective sequestrant (ie, HEDP!), and
2. filter continuously
THEN, as the iron comes out of solution it more often gets caught in the filter than by the pool.
But, this is somewhat hit or miss.
What you might want to go ahead an try this summer is a trial run of HEDP + CuLator. We've seen a fair amount of evidence that the CuLator does work, and IF it works, it DOES remove dissolved iron. (In fact, it's useless against visible or precipitated iron.) You are going to have to add iron, every time you add water, and that's going to give you an opportunity to practice.
If you want to do so, do these things:
1. Get a K2006 test kit -- get an HTH 6-way at Walmart as a daily kit, if available.
2. Get some HEDP
3. Get a CuLator unit AND a set of skimmer socks
4. Put the CuLator in the skimmer, under a skimmer sock (to protect the CuLator from being ruined by goo)
5. Add a 1/8 dose of HEDP EVERY time you add water to the pool.
6. Keep your pH at the low end of what's acceptable for your pool, probably 7.0 - 7.4 (Helps keep iron dissolved).
7. Let us know how it goes -- we'd LOVE to have photo of the Culator, cut open at the end of your pool season.
Products for metal control and clean-up:
HEDP is a liquid phosphonate that is pretty chlorine stable, and very good at keeping dissolved metals IN the water, instead of ON your pool surfaces. It can lift recent stains, OR it can be used along side of ascorbic acid, to keep the metals in the water, after the ascorbic acid is consumed by chlorine.Jacks Magic The Pink Stuff 1qt (60% HEDP) @ AmazonUsing polyquat during metal clean up accomplishes two things: it helps kill or prevent algae, letting you run lower chlorine levels, and it is a very good clarifier, that helps you filter out any small metal particles that may form.(Probably available from pool stores, and possibly some big box stores -- but you MUST learn to ID it correctly. See the polyquat page for more info.)
20% KemTek HEDP @ Amazon
Kem-Tek 60% polyquat @ AmazonAscorbic acid (Vitamin C) can be used to remove copper and iron stains from pool surfaces, and put the metal BACK into your pool water. (Not likely to be available locally, except as Vitamin pills.)
Nava 60% polyquat @ Amazon
Ascorbic Acid Powder @ Amazon=> Do NOT use the Vitamin C, without understanding the whole step-by-step process. It only works if you do everything in the right order. (Sort of like breaking eggs, before you scramble them, instead of after
Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C Powder USP Pharma Grade 11 Lbs @ Amazon)
The CuLator product is a special patented plastic material, contained in a bag that goes into the skimmer, that can slowly take metals OUT of your pool water. We think it works, and have some evidence that it does, but not proof yet. (Not likely to be available locally.)1 ppm Culator @ Amazon
1.5 ppm Culator sold by Amazon, shipped from Periodic
4 ppm Culator sold by Amazon, shipped from Periodic
Poolmaster 16242 Poolmaster Skimmer Basket Liner @ Amazon (to protect CuLator from being damaged by scum)
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