Convert indoor Baquacil pool to salt water chlorination?

[Watermom]

You don't have to drain. Just start hammering it with bleach.

I'm going to let Ben advise you on maintaining an indoor pool, but let's get to that after the conversion is done or when it is nearly done.

Did you read some of the Baq conversion threads? You ready to start?

[cchase009]

Ok Watermom - I'm on it. I had already drained close t 7K gallons and just got it added back. Major difference between the Spa and the pool - I emptied the Spa.

Ok, do I use regular off the shelf bleach or by something stronger from the pool store? - its cheap but strong

Most important - I know I have to ventilate the room when I add the chlorine, do I need to send my Wife and kid on a small excursion to avoid fumes or anything?

I will post my numbers in the morning once I test and keep the thread updated.

BTW, I decided to do this myself as I learned the price I received from the pool store did not include any labor to convert the pool, just installation of the SWCG and delivery of chemicals.

If I'm going to pay almost 2K, I want to be a spectator.

Regards,

C. Chase

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Is there a delay for replies and posted threads? I replied to Watermom's thread but I do not see it posted.

Please advise.

[PoolDoc]

Yes, unless you are a subscriber, or a long term member, all replies are moderated. For what it's worth, subscriptions expire to a non-moderated status.

[cchase009]

Thank you. I saw the brief notification after I posted the confused message. Looking forward to hearing from you Ben as Watermom indicated you would have the best advice on indoor pools.

26K with connected Spa
Concrete and 21 yrs old
Ready to convert from Bacquacil

Hoping to hear from you on ventilation requirements when adding bleach. I have 2 small babies in the home.

Regards,

C. Chase

[PoolDoc]

Most important - I know I have to ventilate the room when I add the chlorine, do I need to send my Wife and kid on a small excursion to avoid fumes or anything?

To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time I've encountered a conversion on an INDOOR pool. Many of the products that form when you chlorinate a mess are (a) volatile (can go into the air) and (b) noxious. Can you set up continuous ventilation with your pool -- windows open, fans running in windows, etc? If not, I'm unwilling to advise you to convert, until I do some checking.

Did you do the pool chart? If so, tell me and I'll look again. If not, please do so:

Pool Chart Entry Form
Pool Chart Results

If you've got a concrete pool, and dry ground, the best thing would be to:
1. Replace your filter media (sand, cartridge, possibly, DE grids)
2. Flush the pipes into the pool with fresh water.
3. Drain the pool 100%

If you can't do that, and can't provide continuous ventilation, I'm going to have to see if anyone knows (and will tell me!) what happens, in terms of volatile byproducts, to pools when you chlorinate PHMB.

[cchase009]

PoolDoc,

I have 4 sliding doors on one end of the room. The other side of the house are sliding doors and windows to the house. The pool store did not have an issue with pounding the pool with chlorine - I'm glad I asked. I can open the doors and rent a few large fans. I would also block the HVAC ductwork in the room.

I started to empty the pool but could not figure out a way to flush the pipes. I also did not want to spend over 1K in water. I should have listened to the one person that instructed me to do the items in your list for concrete pools.

I will wait to hear back on the off-gassing issue. Pool may be closed this summer.

C. Chase

[PoolDoc]

I'm where I was, with off-gassing: I don't know.

However, if you can ventilate the room continuously, it should be fine. Alternatively, Chem_Geek reminded me that you can use sodium percarbonate, instead of chlorine. It's not as messy, but it will cost 2x as much.

Here are instructions (do NOT use the links! they go to Chinese sites now!):
http://piscines-apollo.com/docs/baqu...conversion.pdf

And, sources for percarbonate:
http://www.soapgoods.com/Sodium-Perc...te-p-1001.html
http://www.chemistrystore.com/cart.c...3&child=100581

I checked Amazon, but they do not currently sell any plain percarbonate . . . and you do NOT want a detergent!

[cchase009]

PoolDoc,

thanks for the info. From your post, should I assume sodium percarbonate will not have the off-gassing effect? I reviewed the procedures in the link - will there be anything to vacuum to waste? With the chlorine steps the instructions included vacuuming the bottom of the pool to waste. Will the sodium percarbonate clean the filter and the pipes?

Any side effects I should be aware of?

Thanks again.

Regards,

C. Chase

[PoolDoc]

Chem_Geek thinks not; I don't know for myself, but I trust his judgement and knowledge on that.