Baquacil to Chlorine Conversion Procedure

[Thissenw]

I've found 2 different procedures to perform this conversion. One suggests starting with non-chlorine shock (pool store recommended, too). The other suggested starting with bleach. What's your suggestion on starting? Thanks.

[Watermom]

We suggest bleach. You can read the details of how to do it in some of the threads in this section of the forum. Basicially, you just keep adding loads of bleach. Your pool will turn various shades of green but will eventually clear. Some of the threads have pictures documenting some of the conversions made by some of the members on our forum. By the way, welcome to the forum!

[Thissenw]

I uncovered the pool yesterday. The water is cloudy, although the bottom drain is visible. It hasn't changed after running the pump overnight. Should I resolve this prior to starting the chlorine conversion?

[Watermom]

No. Just go ahead and start your conversion. No reason to clear the pool up when this conversion process is going to muck it up again (temporarily). You're going to be so glad that you switched to chlorine once you do this.

BTW -- I deleted your other duplicate post. I have a feeling that your post didn't show up so you tried again. New members' posts go into a moderation queue and have to be looked at and approved by one of the moderators before they will show up on the forum. After some time passes, you will no longer have to through this moderation process and your posts will show up immediately.

[Thissenw]

The conversion process has started. The "Beginner's Guide to Pool Chemistry Needs" post recommends FC at 3ppm. The "Converting Baquacil to Chlorine" post recommends FC at 15ppm. What is the difference? Thanks so much for a great site.

[Watermom]

While you are converting, your chlorine level is going to disappear quickly. The more often you add bleach and more consistently you keep the cl level elevated, the faster the conversion will go. Aim for 15 and as often as you can, test and add more bleach.

[Thissenw]

Added the equivalent of 10 gal 6% bleach in 5 doses. Now showing the values below. The pool is green with a yellow-green foam covering about half the surface. I just added 3.5 gal 6% bleach, and will test again in a few hours. The pump pressure has risen about 8 psi. I plan to backwash and top-off with water after the next test. Sound like I'm on track?

4 ppm FC
1.5 ppm CC
7.2 pH

[Thissenw]

What I thought was a yellow-green foam is actually a floating semi-solid. I wonder if the bleach will decompose this, or should I try to skim it off? Backwashing didn't reduce the pressure as low as normal. I suspect the sand is becoming clogged. Should I continue to filter, or bypass?

Latest readings:
14 ppm FC
3.5 ppm CC
7.5 pH

[aylad]

Hang in there, sounds like it's going well! If you can skim off the stuff floating on the surface, go ahead and do that--it's less gunk that will stop up your filter. Bacquacil will form a "goo" when chlorinated, which is what's causing your filter pressure to rise. Just backwash it as the pressure indicates, and then when the conversion is complete you'll need to completely change out your filter media to get rid of the Baq residue. Don't bypass--you won't accomplish your goal that way--you want that stuff out of your water.

Janet

[Thissenw]

Removed the gunk, but some still floating in the skimmers. I'll drive that into the filter and backwash this afternoon. Pool is still green, but the bottom is becoming visible. No change in pump pressure. 16.7 gals 6% beach so far.

Latest readings:
6 ppm FC
3 ppm CC
7.2 pH