Iron is a very common metal. All pool water has some iron in it. So, you cannot get pool water with 0% iron. However, if your pool’s iron content gets too high, it is a problem. How do you remove it? And what about baking soda? Will baking soda remove iron from pool water?
Yes, baking soda can remove iron from pool water. However, it does not technically remove the iron. It balances pH levels. And since it has both a negative and positive charge and will attract the ions.
Iron can be harmful if you have too much of it. There are many things you can do to treat iron-contaminated pool water. Here is all you need to know.
Will Baking Soda Remove Iron from Pool Water?
Baking soda is a very effective cleaning agent. However, when it comes to removing iron from the pool, many people have misconceptions about it. Baking soda will help you remove iron from the pool. Moreover, it will also help you keep your pool water clear and reduce material corrosion.
However, baking soda second does not remove iron from the pool per se. Technically, it helps balance the pH levels. A healthy pool will always have balanced pH levels.
The pH level of baking soda is 8.3, which makes it alkaline. But the bicarbonates in baking soda attract the ions since it is both positively and negatively charged.
So, baking soda is both an acid and a base in one. Remember that baking soda’s effectiveness in removing iron from pool water also depends on the climate.
How to Add Baking Soda to Your Pool
Using baking soda to treat your pool is pretty easy. You will need an iron testing kit and baking soda (duh). Here is a step-by-step guide on how to treat your pool.
Step 1: Check Iron Levels
As we mentioned earlier, iron is the 4th most common element in the world. Therefore, it is perfectly fine to have little traces of iron in your pool water. Honestly, it is sort of unavoidable. However, if the concentration goes above the minimum, then you have a problem.
Check your iron levels with an iron testing kit. These kits measure the iron content in your pool in PPMs and will give you accurate numbers. Any pool with an iron content over 0.2 PPM needs to be treated.
Step 2: Check Pool pH Levels
Your pool’s pH levels should be between 7.2 and 7.8. If it goes below 7.2, then you need to add more baking soda to bring the pH level up. Optimal pH levels are not only good for maintenance, and it will keep your water healthy.
Acidic water can cause irritation when you swim in it. Moreover, it could also damage components. If your pool’s pH level is optimal, move on to the next step.
Step 3: Measure the Correct Amount of Baking Soda
Generally, you should add about 1.2 LBS of baking soda per 10,000 gallons of pool water. There is no special baking soda that people use for swimming pools. You can simply get it from a nearby shop or order online.
However, you might need a lot of baking soda if you have a very large pool. Then you might need to contact a supplier since getting a hold of baking soda in large quantities can be difficult. In addition, you should not add more than 2.5 LBS of baking soda in one day.
Step 4: Stir to Mix the Baking Soda
Stir the water in a circular motion. This motion helps the baking soda to dissolve and mix evenly. Moreover, this motion will also prevent the water from getting cloudy.
Cloudy water can look very unappealing to swim in. So, no one wants to swim in cloudy swimming pool water – it just looks off.
Step 5: Wait till You Can Use the Pool Again
If you have mixed in a lot of baking soda, you must wait between 6 to 12 hours before you can use your pool again. However, if you used a small amount, you can swim immediately.
But we recommend waiting at least 20 minutes to let the baking soda mix in completely. After the whole process is done, recheck the pH of your water. Repeat the process if your pool’s pH level is not optimal yet.
How Can Pool Water Be Contaminated with Iron?
Iron is the fourth most common element in the world. Water naturally has some iron in it. So, it can be pretty easy to introduce excess iron into your pool in many different ways.
Iron is also found in well water and tap water. Maybe when you replaced your water, you poured in very iron-rich water. Small amounts of iron are not a problem. However, if the concentration of iron in your pool gets too high, it can cause a couple of problems.
Your pool water will become quite unhealthy to swim in. Moreover, you will notice that the water is becoming cloudy too! This water is harmful for you to swim in and can even damage components.
Pool water with high iron levels becomes toxic and corrosive, damaging your components. It can also stain the pool and just make it look very unappealing.
In addition, chlorine is a chemical that is frequently used to sanitize pools. However, if you add chlorine to iron-contaminated water, it will speed up the reaction and only make it more corrosive. That is why you should never add chlorine to pool water with high iron.
How Long Will It Take till Your Pool is Iron Free
Treating a pool with baking soda is very safe (and effective). Baking soda has no adverse effects, and you can start using your pool immediately. However, if you added a lot, you might need to wait up to 6 hours or more.
The time you must wait before you can start using the pool again depends on several things. A typical pool has thousands of gallons of water. If you add 1 lb of baking soda per 10,000 gallons of pool water, you can use the pool after 20 minutes. The water’s pH levels will adjust within this time.
However, if your pool’s condition is really bad, you will need to add chemicals and baking soda. For example, if your pool has a very high iron content, and you added tons of baking soda plus other chemicals, we advise not to use your pool for at least 6 to 12 hours.
Other Effective Ways of Removing Iron from Pool Water
Apart from baking soda, there are other effective ways of removing iron from your pool. Here is how you can make your pool safe to swim in again if it is contaminated with iron.
1. Stocking the Pool
Shock treating your pool is a fantastic way of separating harmful metals from the water. There are two different ways you can shock the pool. You could either use a chlorine-based shock treatment or a non-chlorine shock treatment.
If your pool has high iron content, we recommend not using chlorine-based shock treatment. Adding chlorine to a pool with iron-contaminated water can make it worse. If you are unsure which shock treatment method to use, speak to a pool expert.
2. Use an Iron Remover
You can buy iron removers to treat excess iron in your pool. But do not just add iron removers right away. You need to prep your swimming pool first. Start by checking the pool’s pH levels. You need the pH levels to be very low.
Turn off the filter pump. There are pH reducers that work great. When the pool’s pH level is 6.8, add the iron remover. Remember not to add too much iron remover, though. You will find how much to add in the instructions.
Generally, adding about a quarter of iron remover per 5,000 gallons of water is fine. After adding the iron remover, leave the pool as is overnight. The next day, you need to raise the pH levels to optimal levels.
3. Use Flocculant
You can use Flocculant to collect the iron. Flocculant is a wooly substance that attracts iron. When you put it inside your pool, it will gather all the iron in the water and settle at the bottom.
However, there is some prep work you need to do. Firstly, change the direction of your water filter flow. Essentially, you want to introduce backflow.
Then measure how much Flocculant you need. One-quarter of Flocculant per 6,500 gallons of pool water is enough. After measuring, add it to the pool. You do not have to mix it manually – the pump will help here.
Wait till all the iron and Flocculent mix settles at the bottom. Then you just need to collect it, and voila! Your pool is now iron free.
4. Stop Oxidation
You can add a chelating agent to your pool water to stop the iron from oxidizing. This is a simple way to keep your pool stain free. Oxidized iron stains and makes a mess.
It even turns the water reddish-brown. As you might imagine, that is not a very appealing look for a swimming pool.
There are other substances you can use. Here is a list of inexpensive ways to treat iron-contaminated swimming pool water:
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Epsom salts
- Bleach
Will a Sand Filter Remove Iron from Pool Water?
Sand filters are pretty effective in removing iron from the pool. In addition, sand filters can remove excess manganese from pools as well. They work in a pretty ingenious way. The pool water goes through the filter, and the sand inside it removes harmful particles.
Therefore, when water is introduced into the pool, it is purified. This process is called backwashing. A sand filter can be a viable option if you want a good solution for keeping your pools clean.
Another benefit of these filters is that they are pretty low-maintenance. Therefore, if you are busy and want a system that you can set up and forget about, sand filters are the way to go.
Plus, when you need something quick, use baking soda in tandem with your filter for a double whammy of effectiveness.
Sand Filter Pros
- Very easy to maintain
- Effective at tackling excess iron content in pool water
- Does not release any iron back into the water after filtering
Sand Filter Cons
- The sand needs to be changed regularly
- The filter can get clogged sometimes
- Takes up space in the pool
How to Tell if Iron Levels Are Too High in Pool Water?
The worst part of excess iron in pools is that it is difficult to identify initially. And since water naturally has iron, you will not notice any negative effects except when there is too much of it. There are certain signs you can look out for:
- Tinted water
- Stains appearing on the pool walls and floor
- Use a testing kit
You will notice stains if you have too much iron in your pool. It can be red, black, green, or even brown. The stains usually appear on the walls of your pool or the floor.
Even the water will start a develop a tint. Iron-contaminated pool water typically turns in a rusty color. This clearly shows you have too much iron in your swimming pool.
Another effective way to check whether your pool has high iron is to use an iron testing kit. Start with a TDS kit. TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids.
Although TDS tests are not particularly accurate, they will at least tell what you are dealing with. Then, check the pH levels and use metal detection tests for the final results.
How to Prevent Future Iron Contamination
You know it is a major hassle if you have dealt with high iron content in your pool. And we think dealing with it once is enough. You can regularly add a chelating agent to your pool to prevent future iron contamination.
This will prevent the iron from oxidizing. Therefore, you can neutralize iron’s negative effects in the swimming pool water. Remember that there will always be some iron in water naturally.
So, it is better to be proactive about it. Adding a chelating agent will deactivate the metal. The iron will collect itself at the bottom of the pool. Then you can simply get it out manually.
Basic Pool and Pool Water Maintenance Tips
Treating iron is possible. However, it is a hassle nonetheless. Therefore, the best thing you can do is to make sure you follow pool maintenance best practices.
It will keep your pool water hygienic and make your pool components last longer.
Clean Pool Filter
Yes, the filters clean the pool water. But sometimes it needs cleaning too. Over time, your filter could get clogged with debris and dirt. This will reduce its effectiveness as well. So, remember to clean the filter periodically.
Maintain Proper pH Levels.
Ensuring your pool’s optimal pH levels is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. You must regularly test the pH levels to ensure it is between 7.2 to 7.8. You can use a testing kit to measure pH levels.
Remove Debris
Do not let debris accumulate in your pool. Different debris could contaminate your pool with who knows what. Moreover, it might also clog your filter. Therefore, it is best to skim the debris off your pool. Cover it up if you will not use your pool for a long time.
Wrapping Up
If you have ever asked; will baking soda remove iron from pool water, hopefully, you now know the answer. Baking soda can remove iron from pool water.
However, there are other ways as well. Make sure you keep the water well-maintained. This will reduce the chances of excess iron content in your pool water.
