I will bring the water in to be tested for iron. I just ran samples taking from a Spicket and this is what I got.
PH 7.3
TA 325
CH 250
Using Taylor k2106 kit
These numbers look good for a bicarbonate fill if I understand correct? How much iron is too much? I need to take it and be tested. Most of people in the addition don't use a softener so I am hopeful it is within range. What is an acceptable number for iron? Thanks to all of you.
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Can you please add the details of your pool (volume, equipment, etc) to your signature? It helps us to analyze your situation better.
Yes, those numbers do look good for a bicarb startup but we'd need to calculate the CSI for the water to see where it is at. I'm surprised the pH is that low with TA as high as it is, but the pH will rise as CO2 outgasses from the water.
0ppm Fe is optimal, 0.5ppm is livable and anything at or above 2ppm is bad. At 2ppm, Fe can start scaling out when the pH rises and you add chlorine (chlorine oxidizes iron). The water in contact with the new plaster surface will have a higher pH value than the bulk pool water because the plaster emits a small amount of slack lime ( Ca(OH)2 ) into the water as it cures. This will raise the pH and give any iron more of an opportunity to scale and stain fresh plaster. So, depending on what's in your well water, you may need to truck fill water in and then come up with a strategy for your fill water needs. If the well has high Fe content, then you're really going to need to manage your fill water additions from the well or else you'll be battling Fe stains for the foreseeable future. It is also advisable to restrict your fill water use from the well because the high TA (350ppm) will cause you pH problems (ever rising pH) although that is much preferable to iron staining.
As for water softeners, they typically treat calcium but have minimal impact on iron. If iron from the well water were a significant issue, you'd need a specialized iron filter to remove it.
You might want to get your water analyzed by an independent lab, i.e., NOT the pool store. There are labs that will test well water for a fee and, in some areas, the local municipal water company can provide a list of testing companies they use. Some municipal water districts will even pay for homeowners to test their wells. Please look into that option because it will be way more reliable than a pool store.