So, we put 9 bags of salt in our pool to open-- and the salt levels are now correct. But my husband used 2 bags of the rust remover salt, as we already had those on hand for another purpose. Is there anything we need to do to take into account the 2 bags with the rust remover component-- other than continue to monitor and adjust our pool chemistry?
Oops! We used some rust remover salt when opening our pool . . . .
- Thread starter lmrook
- Start date
- May 23, 2015
- 24,649
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Just monitor your chemistry. The “rust remover” salt is more smoke than sizzle - typically it’s a very low concentration phosphate iron inhibitor. It should have very little impact on your pool.
Thanks! I had read on an older thread not to ever use the rust remover salt. Relieved to know there is nothing extra to worry about! 
- May 23, 2015
- 24,649
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
It's "Do it Best" Brand, green bag. The bag only says 99.8% pure salt, and mentions rust staining prevention. There is no other information on the bag about what the other 0.2% content is. This is the description from the website (which also does not have any other ingredients listed): "Water softener salt with rust fighting additives prevents iron deposit build-up, and prevents iron and rust discoloration on sinks, dishes, toilets, cookware, and laundry. Eliminates brine tank clean-out. Highly soluable, 99.8% pure salt. Product sized to eliminate bridging, mushing, and channeling. 40 lb. bag"
- May 23, 2015
- 24,649
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Water softener salts that claim “stain prevention” almost all invariably use sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) as the additive. SHMP can be used as a dispersant (improves solubility of “dirt”) as well as a cheating agent for iron and other metal ions. It’s also a food-grade additive so it can be used in a softener without worrying about harmful effects.
In a pool, chlorine will oxidize the polyphosphate structures into simpler orthophosphate (PO4) and this raise phosphate levels in the pool. If one treats their water for phosphates as a preventative measure for algae control, then obviously adding SHMP is counterproductive to that. Most don’t bother with phosphate reduction, so the effects of the SHMP are harmless.
Your water will be fine...
In a pool, chlorine will oxidize the polyphosphate structures into simpler orthophosphate (PO4) and this raise phosphate levels in the pool. If one treats their water for phosphates as a preventative measure for algae control, then obviously adding SHMP is counterproductive to that. Most don’t bother with phosphate reduction, so the effects of the SHMP are harmless.
Your water will be fine...