Problem with conversion from Baquacil! Please Help!!

[mjones]

Pool still doesn't look much better. Been through 28 lbs 95% granulated chlorine, 8 lbs 65% shock, 16 gallons of 6% bleach, 2 boxes borax, 1 quart of algaecide.... What is my problem? I am ready to give up!! I am doing everything like I have read & been told to do. Why will MY pool not clear up magically like everybody elses???? It's just not fair!!

[duraleigh]

Your problem is fairly straightforward......those of us on this forum that know how to get you to clear water need a starting point.....i.e Test results for Cl. pH. Alk, and CYA. Once those numbers are posted, we can finish getting your pool clean. Without them, we're just guessing....maybe even more than you!!

[kalan]

Pool still doesn't look much better. Been through 28 lbs 95% granulated chlorine, 8 lbs 65% shock, 16 gallons of 6% bleach, 2 boxes borax, 1 quart of algaecide.... What is my problem? I am ready to give up!! I am doing everything like I have read & been told to do. Why will MY pool not clear up magically like everybody elses???? It's just not fair!!

Hi, I went through the process several years ago and everything eventually worked out. In response to your question above I am going to be blunt but please be aware that I am not trying to be mean in any way!!!

Been through 28 lbs 95% granulated chlorine
You should have been using liquid chlorine only, all granulated contains cya which will not help with the conversion. you now have cya in the pool not a problem as you will have to add it later but slows down the conversion.

8 lbs 65% shock
see above

1 quart of algaecide
unecessary if properly chlirinated.

we still have not recieved good numbers from your own test kit. Without reliable numbers you are shooting in the dark at an unknown target.

diluting the pool water with water that may contain chlorine will not give you accurate results. The dilute needs to be distilled water.

I am doing everything like I have read & been told to do
Except the water testing part. You MUST get a test kit that will read above 3 ppm. More than likely they have a drop based kit at the pool store but they won't sell it unless you ask for it directly. Or your BEST BET buy the kit sold on this site!!!!!

Good luck it will all work out with time
Ken

[prh129]

You should have been using liquid chlorine only, all granulated contains cya which will not help with the conversion. you now have cya in the pool not a problem as you will have to add it later but slows down the conversion.

Ken

Small point, but isn't granulated typically just Calcium Hypochrolorite? I don't believe it contains CYA. It will add calcium though.

[kalan]

Small point, but isn't granulated typically just Calcium Hypochrolorite? I don't believe it contains CYA. It will add calcium though.

HI, quite true cal hypo does not contain CYA.
Ken

[mjones]

Well, I called my pool store. They don't even have a drop test kit for themselves!! No longer MY pool store.... Anyway, there is another pool store about 30 minutes from here. I am trying to get in touch with them. The only other option that I have is the kit from Wal-mart that everyone keeps saying is no good. By the time I get Ben's kit, my water will probably be clear. Or atleast I hope so. Our Ace hardware, sales the refills for the 5 in 1 kit, but they don't have the kit. The granulated stuff was before i decided to change to chlorine. Anyway, I AM trying & I WILL get some numbers up as soon as possible.
THANKS SO MUCH!!

[mjones]

Guess what???? I have REAL numbers!! I took off work 2 hours early, and drove about 35 miles to get accurate tests... I was desperate. Here goes:

saturation index: -1.11
total dissolved solids: 100
free chlorine: 4.0
total chlorine: 4.0
combined chlorine: 0.0
ph: 7.1
cya: 8
copper: 0
iron: 0
total alk: 0
adjusted total alk: 0
calcium hardness: 0
temperature: 75
baq sanitizer: 0
baq shock: 51
Yeah I know, the shock is probably my main problem!!

O.K., So this lady freaked when I told her I was putting bleach in pool. She said it will ruin plastic components, & is not good for skin or eyes. She said that this is what I would have to do.
1. don't add anything for 5 days.
2. change sand Saturday.
3. run pump constantly.
4. test water Monday & call her with #'s.

I bought a "better" test kit from the pool store. I tested it when I got home. Everything was pretty much the same except cya. It said to mix water & solution, pour in tube with black dot in bottom until I couldn't see the black dot. So, by doing this, I got between 80-100??

Anyway, I hope this will help figure it out.
I added 5 gallons of bleach when I got home.
Just for info: I have been buying the generic bleach from Wal-mart for .99 a gallon 6%. Today when I bought more, it is $1.27 gallon. Do you think they may be catching on???

Thanks in advance!!
Oh, btw, pool is almost more blue than green cloud now!!

[duraleigh]

M,

1. The pool store's advice is bogus. It's your call to do with as you like but the advice simply is not valid.

2. I think your testing of the CYA makes more sense than hers....I'm gonna' assume yours is correct. If you get a chance, post all the tests you can from your kit.......I think your results will be more accurate than pool stores......That Alk result of 0 is simply incorrect.

3. Now, since you put in five gallons of bleach after your test results, you'll need to test that again tomorrow evening. Then, if you test @5ppm or below for Cl, please put in 9 gallons of 6% clorox all at once. Yep, 9 gallons. That will raise your Cl to around 25ppm and you will take a big step towards clearing your pool. The next evening, test for Cl again and put in enough Cl to raise it back up to 25ppm......don't guess....test and calculate....get help here if you need it. You will keep doing this 'til your pool is clear, but based on what you're saying, that shouldn't be long...another couple of days probably. Do this even if your pool looks even better tomorrow (it probably will)

4. Once your water is clear, then it will be time to change the sand. Buy it now, if you like, but don't change it 'til you finish your job of clearing the pool.