Conversion In Process

[thaston]

Hello! We have a fairly new 20x40 in-ground vinyl pool, approximately 30,000 gallons; it was installed/opened last May. We started out using Baquacil. We didn't have any problems with it, but as you all know, it is very expensive. We decided to convert it to chlorine this season. We opened the pool in mid March and our local pool store began the conversion process for us when they opened it so I don't know what that entailed. They had me adding 2 lbs of non-chlorine shock weekly in addition to chlorine pucks in the skimmer for a few weeks. In mid April, they told us to change the sand in the filter and start adding chlorine shock to the pool. When I put the chlorine shock in the pool, the water would turn green. After about 24 hours it would clear up. About two weeks ago, I added the weekly shock and the water turned green and cloudy. After several days it had not cleared up; the pool shop told me to add clarifier to it, so I did. After about 2 days, the water finally cleared, but it wasn't crystal clear like it was before. I took a water sample to the pool shop the day after the water cleared and the chlorine level was low, everything else was balanced, so they told me to add 2 more pounds of shock. At that point I decided to switch to liquid shock because I was having trouble getting the powder shock to completely dissolve. Dumped the two gallons of liquid shock in the pool, it turned green again. It took about a day and a half for it to clear up, but it wasn't crystal clear. Took another water sample, again, chlorine was still low, everything else was good. Added 3 gallons of shock yesterday evening (from what I read, I should use one gallon per 10,000 gallons) and the water is still green this morning. I have backwashed the filter 2-4 times during this process. I am concerned about the water staying green for 1-2 days. Is that normal when you convert from Baquacil to chlorine? How long will it keep doing that? Am I not doing something that I should be? Any assistance would be appreciated.

 

[duraleigh]

Welcome to the forum.

Conversion aside for a moment, I suspect your water is turning green because there is iron in the water.

Do you fill from a well?

 

[thaston]

Welcome to the forum.

Conversion aside for a moment, I suspect your water is turning green because there is iron in the water.

Do you fill from a well?

Thank you!

No. When I have had the water tested, it does not show any metals present in the water.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome! Your description of green again - clear again sure sounds like iron reacting to chlorine. Even if you're not on a well your local water may have a high iron content. As a test, you might take some water from your garden hose and fill a 5-gal bucket, Then add a few teaspoons of liquid chlorine (or laundry bleach) to it and stir it around. See if it turns green or brown as well.

Below is the TFP Baqua conversion page. Our instructions are very specific and work if followed carefully and the water tested with a proper test kit, either a TF-100 (link in my signature) or Taylor K-2006C. Checkout that page and let us know if you have any other questions.

Convert Your Baqua Pool to Chlorine

This Step-by-step guide will help you transform your pool from Biguanide (Baquacil, SoftSwim hereafter referred to as Baqua) to chlorine. Read more

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Texas Splash]

You will also find the TFP Pool Care Basics page extremely valuable. Be sure to look it over and bookmark it for future reference. Enjoy the forum.

 

[thaston]

Welcome! Your description of green again - clear again sure sounds like iron reacting to chlorine. Even if you're not on a well your local water may have a high iron content. As a test, you might take some water from your garden hose and fill a 5-gal bucket, Then add a few teaspoons of liquid chlorine (or laundry bleach) to it and stir it around. See if it turns green or brown as well.

Below is the TFP Baqua conversion page. Our instructions are very specific and work if followed carefully and the water tested with a proper test kit, either a TF-100 (link in my signature) or Taylor K-2006C. Checkout that page and let us know if you have any other questions.

Convert Your Baqua Pool to Chlorine

This Step-by-step guide will help you transform your pool from Biguanide (Baquacil, SoftSwim hereafter referred to as Baqua) to chlorine. Read more

www.troublefreepool.com

Hi! I will certainly do that. If it does

Welcome! Your description of green again - clear again sure sounds like iron reacting to chlorine. Even if you're not on a well your local water may have a high iron content. As a test, you might take some water from your garden hose and fill a 5-gal bucket, Then add a few teaspoons of liquid chlorine (or laundry bleach) to it and stir it around. See if it turns green or brown as well.

Below is the TFP Baqua conversion page. Our instructions are very specific and work if followed carefully and the water tested with a proper test kit, either a TF-100 (link in my signature) or Taylor K-2006C. Checkout that page and let us know if you have any other questions.

[QUOTE="Texas Splash, post: 239447...Enjoy the forum. :swim: [/QUOTE] Thank you!

http://

 

[thaston]

Hi! I will certainly perform that test! If the discoloration is caused by iron, is there an additive I can put in my pool to fix it?

 

[Leebo]

First and foremost…….WELCOME TO TFP!!

To me it sounds like there’s still some Baquacil in the water and it’s reacting with the chlorine. If I may ask a few questions,

1. Does the water turn green or cloudy like seconds after adding chlorine?
2. Do you have a proper test Kit? If so, do you ever get a CC reading when preforming the chlorine test?
3. Can you share a photo of the water?

 

[thaston]

First and foremost…….WELCOME TO TFP!!

To me it sounds like there’s still some Baquacil in the water and it’s reacting with the chlorine. If I may ask a few questions,

1. Does the water turn green or cloudy like seconds after adding chlorine?
2. Do you have a proper test Kit? If so, do you ever get a CC reading when preforming the chlorine test?
3. Can you share a photo of the water?

Hello!
There very well could still be Baquacil in the water. I haven’t added any Baquacil products since we closed the pool in October. I thought that the pool shop had the water where it needed to be when they told me to change the sand and start adding chlorine. Very possible it wasn’t. If that is the case, what do I need to do to remove all of it?

The water starts to turn yellow/green within several seconds of me putting the shock in. Because I am using liquid shock, it is clear green, not cloudy like it was with powder shock.

I have a Pentair Rainbow test kit. I will include a pic of the water I just tested.

I also am including a picture of some spongy like material that came out of our pump basket.

I will include some photos of the pool water this evening. After 24 hours of adding the shock, is clear yellow/green. It is hard to tell because my pool is shaded this time of day.

I really appreciate everyone trying to help me get this straightened out!

 

[Leebo]

First of all, I want to apologize for the late reply - managing the kiddos is quite a full-time job, isn't it? Now, let's dive into your pool concerns.

The color change that happens when you add shock to your pool can indeed be due to residual Baquacil. Baquacil is a product that doesn't mix well with chlorine, and when the two come in contact it often results in some color changes, cloudiness or other strange phenomena.

Now, onto your specific situation. I suspect that there's still some Baquacil in the water. The good news is that the winter likely diluted most of it and the majority of it is probably gone. However, even a small amount of residual Baquacil can cause noticeable color changes when chlorine is added. I highly recommend purchasing a proper FAS/DPD test kit and following the procedure linked above. Although your pool looks great right now, I suspect that you might see an increased chlorine demand as the chlorine works to convert any remaining Baquacil. Keep a close eye on your chlorine levels and adjust as necessary

 

[thaston]

First of all, I want to apologize for the late reply - managing the kiddos is quite a full-time job, isn't it? Now, let's dive into your pool concerns.

The color change that happens when you add shock to your pool can indeed be due to residual Baquacil. Baquacil is a product that doesn't mix well with chlorine, and when the two come in contact it often results in some color changes, cloudiness or other strange phenomena.

Now, onto your specific situation. I suspect that there's still some Baquacil in the water. The good news is that the winter likely diluted most of it and the majority of it is probably gone. However, even a small amount of residual Baquacil can cause noticeable color changes when chlorine is added. I highly recommend purchasing a proper FAS/DPD test kit and following the procedure linked above. Although your pool looks great right now, I suspect that you might see an increased chlorine demand as the chlorine works to convert any remaining Baquacil. Keep a close eye on your chlorine levels and adjust as necessary

Good morning!!
No apology necessary; I know all about managing children

You are correct about the increased chlorine demand. I have yet to get it to the proper level. When I get a low chlorine reading, I have not been adding as much chlorine as I probably should have out of fear of putting in too much. I am going to follow your advice above and be patient as I go through this process.

This is a wonderful forum. Thank you so much for your guidance; I really appreciate it!

 

[Texas Splash]

I am going to follow your advice above and be patient as I go through this process.

Lee has been through this process, so he can certainly relate. Do your best to maintain the FC level. It can be exhausting we know. If you have more questions let us know.

 

[mforbes]

Hello! We have a fairly new 20x40 in-ground vinyl pool, approximately 30,000 gallons; it was installed/opened last May. We started out using Baquacil. We didn't have any problems with it, but as you all know, it is very expensive. We decided to convert it to chlorine this season. We opened the pool in mid March and our local pool store began the conversion process for us when they opened it so I don't know what that entailed. They had me adding 2 lbs of non-chlorine shock weekly in addition to chlorine pucks in the skimmer for a few weeks. In mid April, they told us to change the sand in the filter and start adding chlorine shock to the pool. When I put the chlorine shock in the pool, the water would turn green. After about 24 hours it would clear up. About two weeks ago, I added the weekly shock and the water turned green and cloudy. After several days it had not cleared up; the pool shop told me to add clarifier to it, so I did. After about 2 days, the water finally cleared, but it wasn't crystal clear like it was before. I took a water sample to the pool shop the day after the water cleared and the chlorine level was low, everything else was balanced, so they told me to add 2 more pounds of shock. At that point I decided to switch to liquid shock because I was having trouble getting the powder shock to completely dissolve. Dumped the two gallons of liquid shock in the pool, it turned green again. It took about a day and a half for it to clear up, but it wasn't crystal clear. Took another water sample, again, chlorine was still low, everything else was good. Added 3 gallons of shock yesterday evening (from what I read, I should use one gallon per 10,000 gallons) and the water is still green this morning. I have backwashed the filter 2-4 times during this process. I am concerned about the water staying green for 1-2 days. Is that normal when you convert from Baquacil to chlorine? How long will it keep doing that? Am I not doing something that I should be? Any assistance would be appreciated.

Following as we are considering switching away from baquacil and concerned about complications. Please share any lessons learned as you work through this!