how to bbb

[aylad]

I think we're assuming that your pool is now a Baquacil or Softswim pool, not a chlorine pool. IN that case, got to the link that halefmly posted for you. If your pool is a chlorine pool, then there's really no conversion--bleach is just another form of chlorine.

Janet

[Watermom]

Jan, you're right. I just assumed when he said he wanted to convert to bleach that it was a baq pool which may be a wrong assumption on my part. It may be a chlorine pool and the poster just means he wants to convert from using pool store chlorine product to using bleach. Hope he'll clarify what he meant and somebody can go from there.

[l1tech]

My pool is chlorine, I just wanted to make sure that there was nothing special that I should do to start using bleach. Is using bleach really that much better than floating pucks. I have never had any real pool problems except for a slight case of mustard algae that I got under control quickly(was out of town).

[chem geek]

I assume the pucks you are using are Trichlor in which case the chlorine that results from the Trichlor pucks is identical to the chlorine you add with bleach. The problem is that Trichlor adds more than just chlorine. It also adds Cyanuric Acid (aka CYA or conditioner or stabilizer) and it is the buildup of this CYA that is a problem because it combines with chlorine to make the chlorine less effective. This combining with chlorine also protects it (mostly) from degradation from sunlight so that is why it is good to have some CYA in outdoor pools exposed to sun. However, constant use of pucks builds up the CYA to unacceptable amounts.

After you get a good test kit (such as the Taylor K-2006) you will be able to measure your CYA and then can determine the proper level of chlorine you will need for proper disinfection and to prevent algae. If your CYA is way too high, then it will need to get lowered, but start with getting a full set of measurements from the test kit and then go from there (report your results here and we can help you figure out the next steps).

It is quite possible to have a pool with high CYA or low chlorine and not get algae since algae needs certain food sources to grow (nitrates and phosphates, for example), but it is generally not a risk worth taking. It is much easier to prevent algae through the proper maintenance of chlorine levels than it is to get rid of it.

Richard

[CarlD]

Third kit alternative: Go to Leslie's web site and order there FAS-DPD Chlorine test service kit--it's the equivalent of the Taylor or Ben's kit--it uses the Taylor chemicals. Right now, you'll get the Leslie's or Taylor much faster.

Each of the forums here has threads that are stickied, meaning that they ALWAYS are at the start of that forum. Read them:

like this one, a beginner's guide:
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=1113

Here's another, on the B-B-B method:
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=1652

Here's one on getting rid of algae:
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=3833

There are lots more, but you can click right from here to get these.