Softswim to Chlorine this Spring

[tcjones]

OK, here is the status at the end of the first 24 hours.

Last night - Added 3 1/3 bottles (174 fl.oz size) and watched the color change. I had to use my MS Excel to convery gallons to 174 fl.oz bottles.

This morning the water was still green and cloudy, and FAC was zero, backflushed and added 2 more bottles before work.

After work, all the cloudiness fell to the bottom, vacuumed some nasty stuff to waste and added a couple inches of water. Test results:

FAC was 1.5, TAC was > 5.0, pH was 7.8, Acid Demand - recommended adding 3 lbs pH decreaser, ALK was at 210 ppm. I question the pH, acid demand and ALK results with the TAC above 5.0.

Added 2 more bottles for tonight, a total of 10 gallons so far.

Should I adjust the pH?

[duraleigh]

Hi, TC,

Well, you're on the way!! Sounds like you've got a good handle on things. I see many people get cold feet and start dribbling the bleach when things don't go like they expect. Keep bringing the Cl up to shock (12-15ppm) each evening...it sounds like your on the downhill side already.

If you haven't seen it, VOLDADDY has an excellent post about his conversion posted this evening....it'll encourage you.

It's above my pay grade, but there seems to be some discussion that a lower pH (7.2) will make the bleach more effective. The bleachcalc has a section for muriatic and you'll save some money over "pH decreaser"

It sounds like you better get that new sand for your filter (and some CYA) quicker than I thought. Good work!

[tcjones]

I am looking at a very clear, but lemon/lime-colored pool and need to a boost to morale. I have added 18 gallons of bleach so far...

I am using the DPD #1 and #3 tablets (0.0 to 5.0 ppm) to test for CL and I am having difficulty getting a test result when I test in the morning. Is there a problem using the DPD tablets during the conversion? I have even tried a 2:1 and 4:1 dilution and the results are not what I would expect.

I did add dry acid (low 's slo from last year) to drop the pH about 0.4 units. I'll test the CL again after a few hours.

[duraleigh]

Good morning, TC,

Stay the course. The baq (and other stuff) is simply consuming your Cl each night. You need more bleach (12-14ppm) at dusk tonight.....even more (right back up to 12-14ppm) late before you go to bed will help. Test again tomorrow AM.....if your Cl is much below 8-10ppm, repeat the process.

I think VOLDADDY used something like 75 jugs of Cl to convert...posted a great picture of the empty jugs.

Run the pump 24/7....backwash as needed.

Clear and lemon/lime green is a good sign. Soon, you'll see that color head towards blue and then crystal clear.

[tcjones]

I lowered the pH to 7.4 with 20 floz of Muriatic acid and that seemed to help clear up some more of the lemon/lime. Getting closer, more bleach tonight.

[tcjones]

The water looks great and it's hot today, OK to jump in. Last Bleach addition was dusk last night.

[duraleigh]

The water looks great and it's hot today, OK to jump in. Last Bleach addition was dusk last night.

If "OK to jump in" was a question, the answer is "Cannon-ball!!"

Nice Work!