I just completed a new 26K gallon pool install and filled it with iron rich well water. However I took the following steps to remove/prevent metal contamination.
1. I put a whole house 2 micron filter ahead of the water softener.
2. Used the water softener to fill the pool. It took many pounds of salt and regeneration cycles to complete. I used softener salt that contained an Iron Out additive (Citric Acid)
3. During the 5 days that the pool was filling I added metal out and Polyquat 60%
4. I used a Pentair 26" sand filter loaded with Zeolite media and let the pump circulate several days before switching on the SWG, I did not shock the pool.
5. I switched on the SWG and let it bring the FC levels up to 3.5PPM with 40PPM stabilizer
6. Now that I have the salt levels where I want them all fill water comes straight from the well, but I run it though the same 2 micron whole house filter cartridge before it gets to the pool.
The water has been crystal clear since startup with no staining.
As a side note...we have so much iron in the water that I have to change out the filter cartridge monthly. When it is removed it is orange/red in color and about 3 times it's original weight. Well water can be used if you take precautions before filling.
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