How to Get Iron Out of Pool Water

How can you tell if you have excessive iron in your pool? Iron content is characterized by a brown or red coloring, similar to that of rust. Iron in pool water is unsightly, unclean and can stain your bathing suits, clothes and towels. According to the government of Alberta's website, this rust-colored staining can be caused by only 0.3 milligrams per liter. To keep your pool clean and clear, be sure to remove unnecessary iron build-up effectively.

Things You'll Need

  • chlorine bleach
  • pH testing kit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a pH testing kit and a bottle of chlorine bleach. You can find a pH testing kit at your local hardware or home-improvement store. These kits test the pH level of your pool, including total chlorine and bromine levels, making sure chemicals are balanced and safe. Chlorine bleach can remove iron bacteria from your pool. Chlorine bleach also oxidizes the water, removing iron effectively. As an alternative to bleach, you also can try chemical products specifically designed to remove iron from your pool. However, be sure to read the safety instructions for these products as well.

    • 2

      Assess the size of your pool and the amount of water in your pool. Knowledge of this amount will help determine the amount of chemicals needed to clean your pool. Follow the directions on the bleach bottle and calculate the amount of bleach needed depending on your pool's size.

    • 3

      Add the chlorine to the skimmer box with the filter running or apply the chlorine directly to a small, inflatable pool. Wait for an hour.

    • 4

      Use your pH testing kit to assess the level of the water. According to the Pool Information's website, the pH level should be 7.4 and above for adequate iron removal. According to the Pool Wizard website, the chlorine level should not exceed 3.0, with the recommended level being 2.0. If needed, add more chlorine in order to reach the appropriate test level. Wait until the levels are balanced until you use the pool.