Does Zeolite help in removing iron from the water?

[duraleigh]

In my opinion Zeolite is the way to go.

Well, I am such a sand advocate I just have to respond.

It seems to me that if the zeolite is capturing ALL those tiny particles that sand is missing, time between backwash and pressure build up would be greater since it's trapping so much more gunk.

I don't think I have any ammonia in my pool (or do I?) So that benefit wouldn't help me over sand. Nor do I have any chloramines to any appreciable extent. If the zeolite removes chloramines, does that eliminate the need to shock?

The use of a 2 micron filter and metal out may have answered the original question as to whether zeolite removes metal from the water.

Lastly, I have yet to backwash since start-up....I've gained about 2psi in filter pressure since. based on last year, I expect to backwash two or three times this Summer. My water, thanks to this forum, is pristine.

After all the above, I am not saying that everyone should run out and buy a sand filter. Conversely, I wouldn't be in a huge rush to use zeolite, either. If it is the "magic bullet", the marketplace will soon sort that out and sand as a medium will simply no longer exist....don't count on it.

[KurtV]

Dave, I have zeo in my sand filter but I mostly agree with you. I think it is, at best, slightly better than sand.

As has been pointed out here and several other places over the last couple of years that I've been paying attention to this, the inter-particle spaces in a mass of zeolite, where most of the filtering takes place, aren't much different than those in sand. I'm sure that some finer particles get trapped in the micro-pores of individual zeolite particles, resulting in the marginal improvement, but I think it mostly filters the same way sand does (which is pretty good).

I also run a little DE in my zeolite filter and again, at best, I see a very slight improvement over zeolite alone.

Probably much more important than which medium you choose is getting the largest filter you can afford and right-sizing your pump to that filter and your pool.

Bottom line for me: For a very slight price premium over sand, especially when ammortized over the life of the filter medium, I'll take whatever slight improvement I can get in filtering.

[duraleigh]

Well said, Kurt. I wouldn't be surprised if I don't try it myself IF I ever change my sand. Hopefully, it will outlast me.

I particulary liked your point on filter size and pump-filter relationship. I believe my water is so clear because I was lucky enough to catch on to this (from this forum) and purchased a really big filter (950 lbs) and an adequate pump.

In fact, If I think about it, I'm not so much a sand advocate as I am a sizing advocate.

We all frequently try to make our pools more complex than they need to be and we all hope to find that "magic bullet" (interestingly, the pool store always has one of those bullets...whatever your problem is).

It's not a bad idea to review Ben's premise when he started teaching all of us.......keep it simple.

[smallpooldad]

Thank you all for your replies. It looks a little like 50/50, so the decision is not yet made.