Add iron out/rust out to Neutralizer?

[kg2k]

I haven't seen this addressed and I did search. I have an acid neutralizer. After I installed it I was amazed by how it reduced the red staining in the toilets and fixtures to almost non-existent. It's been a few months now and the staining is back almost to where it was. I see that people add rustout/iron out to water softeners. Is that something that I could do for my AN before a backwash? Is there any reason in particular not to do something like that?

I'm not sure that will fix the issue but I figured it might be worth a shot to add a cup full before a manual backwash every few months.

[Akpsdvan]

Has the unit been backwashing?

[kg2k]

Yes, I manually backwash it but have never gone more than a week without backwashing. Lately been doing twice a week.

[Akpsdvan]

If it is a timer set up , it should be every 3 days.
If it is a manual how much time are you spending on each part of the backwash?
backwash for ?
rapid rinse for ?

How long has the system been in?
What is the ph of the water?
How many in the house?

[kg2k]

If it is a timer set up , it should be every 3 days.
If it is a manual how much time are you spending on each part of the backwash?
backwash for ?
rapid rinse for ?

How long has the system been in?
What is the ph of the water?
How many in the house?

I just click the dial over and let it do it's thing. Never timed it. Ph was like 7.5 last time I tested it. Just me in the house.

[Gary Slusser]

You can't add the Iron Out during backwash unless you did it manually out of a disposable cartridge housing on the inlet water line because the water flow is UP through the media and Service is downflow but...

You have loaded up the mineral with rust particles by not backwashing more frequently (max 3 days) and that is why you are getting the staining now. Put it in backwash and once started unplug the control for like 15-20 minutes. Watch your well doesn't go dry, then plug it in and let it finish on its own watching for the well to go dry.

[kg2k]

Thanks for the response. I was thinking of just adding it to the top where you add the mineral and then backwashing, hoping it got mixed up well during backwash.

I will try the longer backwash by unplugging the control. Unless something has changed there should be no danger of my well running dry for 15 minutes.

[Gary Slusser]

Backwash is from the bottom up.

The 15 minutes is jn addition to the length of the normal backwash as it finishes and goes back to the service position.