Softswim to Chlorine Conversion ??

[aylad]

As long as your pH stays between 70 and 8.0, I wouldn't really worry about it until after the conversion is over. And no, you don't have to wait until the sun is off the water to add the bleach....in fact, you really need to check it and add enough bleach to go back up to shock level 2-3 times per day--the more often you do this, the faster your conversion will go. I also wouldn't worry about CYA for right now, you need the chlorine to be as aggressive as possible. Wait and add the CYA after the conversion is complete.

Janet

[duraleigh]

Good morning,

First of all, Janet (and Huenix) has given you a really good synopsis of the conversion. I would like to add (or pose the question) about the timing of the bleach addition. First and foremost, remember, I am a cheapskate!!

I think it is prudent to add as much bleach as possible during the evening. That way, the sunlight destroys as little as possible. I would think something like this would be reasonable:

1 hour before sunset, bring your Cl up to around 16-20ppm...it'll start to drop immediately. Then shortly before you go to bed, retest and bring it back up to 16 - 20ppm. Try to get up an hour or so before sunrise, do it again.
Hopefully, you can come home at lunch and repeat.

Start the above process over just before sunset the next evening.

This way, you only have one bleach application exposed to the sun and will get the most bang for the buck from your Cl and you will still be getting four shock value applications in a 24 hou period.

And, as Janet said, you will probably lose most any Cya you add now so wait 'til your conversion is complete.

[jma1_nemo]

As I start the conversion, does it matter if I have my solar cover on the pool? Does a solar cover do anything do keep the sun from eating the CL?

[Watermom]

Cover off. High chlorine levels like you will need for conversion aren't good for solar covers.

[jma1_nemo]

Ok I think I am converted to BBB. I began on Monday 5/29 evening. Twenty-Two 174oz jugs of bleach and 4 nights of attack, it is now 6/2 Friday morning and I have held FC at 15 over night.
My numbers are Alk 120, Ph 7.2 ish, CYA 0, FC 15, CC .5,

Now do I need to stay at FC 15 one more night or can I let it drop to 3-5?

Is it time to add the stabilizer? I have two 4lb jugs. Will that get me started?


I also have a zillion bugs; I think maybe mosquitoes, hovering at the pool water surface. They are there now at 6AM and they are there all day into the evening. At dark they must go home because I don’t see them around then. I am also going to post this separately to see if anyone has a solution to them.

As Usual Thanx for all the guidance
.

[duraleigh]

How does your water look? if it's good you're ready for the next step.

I'm not a cartridge filter guy, but I'm pretty sure your next step is to throw out your old cartridge and put in a new one. Then add your stabilizer.......it'll tell you how much to add on the container.

Let your Cl drift on down into maintenance range.....you're done!

[jma1_nemo]

The water is clear. My wife thinks it has a green tinge. I'm not so sure it is not some crud on the floor. I will vacuum and see what she thinks. I will put in my new filter, but I must say my old filter looks pretty good. That chlorine really cleaned it. I spray it with a pressure washer and when using softswim, I could spray if for 1/2 an hr and never getting it looking as good as it looks now.