Baquacil to Chlorine Conversion Procedure

[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]

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