Iron in water source

[JimK]

Forgive me for asking, but, why 1 C polyquat every other day? FC of 5 for CYA 50 should be fine for algae control.
How did the pH get from 8.0 to 7.2? If you used MA, did you backwash first? How did backwash look?
CC 0.0?
Completely opaque or cloudy? Are orange particles gone?
Is DE still in filter?

I've read posts by Ben that said polyquat also acts as a clarifier, so my guess is that's it's purpose here.

[FormerBromineUser]

.
While waiting for an answer from someone more knowledgable than me, get some cal-hypo in there pronto!!!!
FC is WAY too low at 1.0.
Keep an eye on your filter pressure.

[stcohen]

OK, just added 1 cal hypo to each skimmer. Will watch pressure. Do not plan to backwash until pressure increases.

[FormerBromineUser]

Retest FC 1 hour after the tabs dissolve. I am thinking you need more cal-hypo but retesting will tell you. Get FC up to >5.0 SOON !
Please don't backwash (rinses out DE and calcium layer) until you absolutely have to. (don't vacuum to waste either)

[BigDave]

I agree that you should keep FC at or above 5ppm. Use the cal-hypo tabs to maintain FC at 5.0ppm. Let us know how the pool responds as pH and FC rises.

[stcohen]

So, this am pH 8, FC >>5. Pressure at filter and water appearance unchanged.
Slowed return by approx. 50% by adding more DE (used an additional 1/3 cup).
Water began clearing. Vacuumed to filter until began to come out of return.
Backwashed when psi increased and flow slowed-rust in discharge.
Then added 1 cup each DE and polyquat. 1 cal-hypo in each basket.
Will check in am.

[FormerBromineUser]

.
I am optimistic! Good job! Did you adjust your pH down a tad?

It still may take a while, but keep up with the system: DE, cal-hypo, and holding off on back-washing until you must. It sounds like the filter is working just fine. I could be wrong, but I think you might have just been back-washing/vacuuming to waste too often for the system to work.

Don't hurry, but next time you are at the hardware store, get a new, large white bucket (usually in paint dept for under $5). When you stop seeing symptoms of iron you will want to run a metals-bucket test to make sure it's gone. Here's the link so you can begin reading up:

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...est-for-metals