converting to salt generator

[mwsmith2]

Definitely do not use your SWC to shock the pool. It runs the cell at 100% power for 24 hours...and shortens the lifespan of the cell. If I need to shock (which I haven't since I got the SWC) I would just use bleach.

Easy test to see if there's baq in there still. Slug a gallon of bleach in the pool. If it turns green, it's still in there!

On second thought, maybe not. That'll start a mess that you have to clean up right then and there. Go to the baquacil forum and read up on what has to be done. There's a good post in there that outlines what needs to be done.

Michael

[boscogabby]

Would the bleach test work if I fill a bucket with the pool water and than added the bleach to see if it turns green?

[mwsmith2]

Great idea! A tiny splash of 6% bleach in a 5 gal bucket should do it. Less than 1/2 ounce.

Michael

[boscogabby]

I filled a 5 gallon bucket with pool water and threw some bleach in it. The water did not turn green but it did turn light brown, kind of like light iced tea. Is this a good sign or the start of trouble? I am also having a problem getting the bleach calc. The pool is 12x24, approximately 12500 gallons, can anyone help?

[waterbear]

That sounds like it could be an iron problem....Not familiar at all with Bac...avoid it like the plague...so I don't know if "iced tea" is one of the colors it goes through when you try and kill it but it is one of the colors you can see with iron in your water.

[mwsmith2]

If it turns colors, it's going to turn colors in your pool. No real way around that, sounds like you are most likely good to go, but I'd test for metals 1st, like waterbear noticed.

As for bleachcalc, you should be able to right-click and do "save target as" to save it to your computer. It's a windows app.

Michael

[boscogabby]

Thanks. I expected the water to turn colors. I just wanted to know if the brown color was an indication of Baquacrap still being in the pool.

[aylad]

I don't remember anyone mentioning the water turning brown during the conversion, but I do think you need to have your water tested for iron (and copper and any other metal) before you start your conversion. If you have iron in the water, and use enough chlorine to complete the conversion, you're quite likely going to have a stained liner to go along with it.

Janet