Converting Baquacil to Chlorine

[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

[LynnR]

ok so I poured bleach in my pool and it turned orange.Already it is tuning a green shade.Is this a good thing or have I messed up bad? Guess I will have to keep checking.I got a kit at Wal Mart until I can get a better one.It only goes to 5ppm but the color was bright orange.Am I on the right track do you think?

[SLS]

Your on the right track. When you add bleach the first couple of times it really reacts to the baquacrap by changing to all kinds of colors. You just need to keep adding chlorine to keep it up between 12-15 ppm. If you have a vinyl liner I wouldn't go over 15 ppm or you may bleach your liner. You really need a good test kit to measure higher chlorine levels. Read the other posts in this section and you will run across how to dilute your pool water to test your chlorine level with the kit you have. I just don't know how accurate it will be.

Four years ago I was at this point and I have never regretted changing. Best of luck on your mission!! You will have nice clear water before you know it!!!

[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.

[tgilbert]

Just curious, again! Right now my water color and clarity resembles an amusement part water ride. When it begins to clear, is it a slow process or an "overnight" type process? I'm into day 3 of the conversion. I'm trying to keep the chlorine level and FC level around 15 ppm. But it can change quickly when it changes.