Converting Baquacil to Chlorine

[aylad]

For the first few days, it's a "per addition" estimate (you really need to test and add more 2-3 times daily until you can start holding a chlorine residual), but after your pool starts holding chlorine, the demand will decrease.

Janet

[tgilbert]

At what point is it safe (recommended) to start adding Chlorine tabs to the pool?

I'm just starting Day 3 of the conversion and there is less reaction or color change at the addition of bleach to the pool but the color is still a dull rust -orange. I just checked the reading and I'm getting:

Total Hardness 150
Total Chlorine .05
FC .05
pH 7.0
Alkalinity 120
CYA 20

This is before the addition of bleach this morning. Looks like I'm off to Walmart for more bleach.

[Watermom]

Just use bleach during the conversion. And then even after, you can just use bleach for your source of chlorine and not even use the pucks if you want. That is what many of us do, me included. Bleach works well and doesn't add a bunch of unwanted stuff to the water.

Keep an eye on your ph. Don't want it to drop below 7.0 or your water becomes acidic and can damage your pool.

During your conversion, the more often you test your water and add more bleach to get back to shock levels, the faster your conversion will go.

[tgilbert]

Ideally...what ppm should I try to maintain?

[Watermom]

Try to keep your chlorine level at 15 ppm.

[LynnR]

I too am tired of the cost and battle of a Baquacil pool.We are wanting to convert and I have read these posts but am still kinda lost.Our water level is low and we are trying to decide to change or not.If we do not of course we will have to add water then remove the chlorine(pain in the butt).The Baquacil levels are extremely low so I really don't know where to start.Do I need to get a shock that goes with the chlorine stuff or just use bleach? I am sorry that I am so lost but I need your help.Hope I didn't make this too confusing .Thank you

[kalan]

Hi, Ahhhh I remember those days staring at my cloudy pool after spending hundreds of dollars on baquicil products that did nothing but empty my wallet!! My suggestion, DO NOT FEAR IT. CONVERT NOW. Thing you will need: a test kit. allow me to repeat A test kit. The best one is sold here but there are some problems with shipping. Maybe those are cleared up now??? if you decide to convert with out Bens test kit it is still no problem. Just get one that tests chlorine and ph. Download the calculator so you know how much bleach to add. Oh yeah you will need chlorine. bleach=chlorine. you do not need anything else. No shock no monoperwhatever no algecide none of that stuff. Just get bleach or chlorine or whatever you want to call it. it can be pool sanitizer from the hardware at 10% concentration or clorox at 5.25% or wherever you find it cheapest. Sodium hydroxide is what the ingredients will list.
Now add enough chlorine to have 15 ppm in your pool. The pool will not like this and will show its displeasure by turning a very disturbing color. Do not fear continue adding chlorine up to 15 ppm as often as your test tells you to and in about 1 week or less your water will clear and all will be good. You will have to backwash your filter acouple of times a day at first to keep the water flowing. Let me know what type of filter you have. I am sure there will be more ???? so ask away.
Ken

[tgilbert]

Just curious....is it to my advantage to add a chlorine tab to the skimmer basket to help maintain the chlorine level during conversion?

[Watermom]

I would just stick with bleach only during the conversion.

[tgilbert]

OK...thanks! I think I'm close to turning the corner on the Baquacil battle. Although the water is still cloudy and slightly dull rust in color...it no longer changes color when bleach is added. It also seems to be holding FC level better since the mid-day dose.

It would be nice to have a clear pool over the weekend.