Convert indoor Baquacil pool to salt water chlorination?

[cchase009]

Thanks PoolDoc. I just broke a strap wrench. I am going to try the Rigid strap wrench. Thanks again.

[PoolDoc]

You have a Ridgid strap wrench? Are you a plumber? (I am, or was.)

[BigDave]

Be careful with that axe (eugene), you could crush your multiport.

[cchase009]

Thats exactly why I tried the rubber version of the strap wrench. I will be returning and upgrading to the Rigid. The strap is a lot longer so I should be able to put a towel or something to protect the multiport.

Regards,

C. Chase

[cchase009]

All, I finally got the threaded multiport off and I am in the process of vacuuming and replacing the sand.

My pool has been full for 10 days now..suprisingly blue. Do I need to add anything to the water while I handle the filter and plumbing for the filter?

I don't want to get algae or any other "stuff" going because I have no chemical in the water.

Regards,

C. Chase

[PoolDoc]

Do I need to add anything to the water while I handle the filter and plumbing for the filter?

I deleted Dave's post, suggesting bleach, because I think you are still planning to clean up the water mold, and then stick with Baquacil to avoid airborne corrosion, since your pool is indoors.

If that's still the case, use polyquat, not bleach. For your 24K gallon pool, I'd recommend 1 quart to start, and then 1 cup every 3 days. Dilute it in multiple gallons of water, and then pour it all around your pool. (Use the link for more info about polyquat!)

Also, with the pump off for several days, and the polyquat in the water, you may settle out some goop. Plan to vacuum carefully, when you first start up, if there is debris, dust or film on the bottom. You may want to re-align your return eyeballs so they don't stir it up, before you can vacuum it up!

[cchase009]

PoolDoc,

thanks for the info and I did see Dave's post. I am going to try Chlorine and if it is too strong with airborne smells I will try Salt. I have 2 gallons of bleach just sitting there so I will put some in tonight when I get home.

Thanks all for the quick responses.

Regards,

C. Chase

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BTW, draining and cleaning the pool gave me the opportunity/time to measure the pool and I have a 19000 Gallon pool. Would being off by 5 - 6K gallons matter when testing @ the pool store?

EDIT by moderator: 2 posts waiting in the queue were merged together.

[Watermom]

Chase --- PoolDoc is recommending that you stick with Baquacil since it is an indoor pool. If he says he doesn't think you should add bleach, then he is saying you shouldn't add chlorine since bleach is chlorine.

I'd hold off adding anything until Ben gets back to your thread and can advise further.

[PoolDoc]

I am going to try Chlorine and if it is too strong with airborne smells I will try Salt.

Not only is bleach chlorine, but so is salt. It's a common misconception that salt water systems are not chlorine systems. That's precisely why I chose the acronym here "SWCG" -- Salt Water Chlorine Generator -- instead of using "SWG" used elsewhere. SWCG's generate chlorine FROM salt; they don't generate salt!

If you want to try chlorine, that's your choice, of course. But the most serious problem is not the 'smell', but rather the corrosion. You'll need to inspect the wiring near the pool REGULARLY -- if you see green streaks on the copper, you have a PROBLEM! If you let it get to the point shown in this picture, you'll need to replace all the fixtures and junctions.

[cchase009]

Thanks WaterMom and PoolDoc. I cleaned my pool with a mix of bleach and water and power washed it. Will that be an issue? I also flushed the line and alot of GOOP came out.

As for Bacquacil, is it possible to use and not have the GOOP? What about the advise to keep the chlorine @ 1-3PPM which would not emit any smell at all? Will corrosion still be an issue? I think I mentioned I have Duct work running through the room as well.

If you all strongly recommend BacQua I will stay on it, but that GOOP was everywhere. I would be interested in tips for keeping the water mold away