Fall conversion?

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stxpoolgirl

Active member
Oct 2, 2021
36
San antonio tx
Pool Size
8200
Surface
Vinyl
Hi! I am new here and have had our above ground pool for one year. Started with bacaquil and have already dealt with 3 rounds(or the same round) of white and pink mold. I am 100% ready to convert BUT my sand filter is already packed in and surely won't filter through a conversion.
I have done a deep clean of the sand, which helped for about one week. I currently have a cloudy pool, mold on/in my ladder and probably in my pipes. I cannot stand to put more money and chemical in to clear it up and I dont want to let it stew until spring. I dont think I can "close" for at least another month in TX.

So, do I change the sand filter, do the conversion, and change the sand again after??
 
It’s only 8500 gallons- is the pool buried?
If not you may wanna drain down to 12-18 inches & refill depending upon your water source. If it is buried you shouldn’t drain past the level of the surrounding ground. A no drain water exchange can also be done

Draining - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
You would use a submersible pump for this.
Are u on a well?
It will make the conversion process much easier & less costly bleach wise to replace the majority of the water.

I think another deep clean of sand upon refill to get u through the conversion process then replace the sand.
I assume u have read the guide but I’ll leave it here for handy reference 👇
www.troublefreepool.com

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 www.troublefreepool.com
Lets ask some professional opinions
@JoyfulNoise …..
@Leebo ….
 
Mdragger88 said:
It’s only 8500 gallons- is the pool buried?
If not you may wanna drain down to 12-18 inches & refill depending upon your water source. If it is buried you shouldn’t drain past the level of the surrounding ground. A no drain water exchange can also be done

Draining - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
You would use a submersible pump for this.
Are u on a well?
It will make the conversion process much easier & less costly bleach wise to replace the majority of the water.

I think another deep clean of sand upon refill to get u through the conversion process then replace the sand.
I assume u have read the guide but I’ll leave it here for handy reference 👇
www.troublefreepool.com

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 www.troublefreepool.com
Lets ask some professional opinions
@JoyfulNoise …..
@Leebo ….
Click to expand...
Partially buried, 18' round hard side pool, 52".

On city water

So you think I could deep clean the sand again and with replacing some or most of the water, I could get through the conversation before replacing the sand?
 
Keep in mind the conversion isn’t like typical “algae removal.” The bulk of the work will be done by the chlorine with the filter really only being vital towards the later parts. If it were I a healthy water exchange would be the start of the conversion but this along won’t take care of everything. Once it’s refilled then use chlorine to break everything else down. Switch the filter to recirculate the water and take that time to deep clean the filter very well. Only at the end of the conversion should you really need to change the sand.

Just please, never drain 100% of the water. Make sure you leave some to hold the liner in place.
 
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Leebo said:
Keep in mind the conversion isn’t like typical “algae removal.” The bulk of the work will be done by the chlorine with the filter really only being vital towards the later parts. If it were I a healthy water exchange would be the start of the conversion but this along won’t take care of everything. Once it’s refilled then use chlorine to break everything else down. Switch the filter to recirculate the water and take that time to deep clean the filter very well. Only at the end of the conversion should you really need to change the sand.

Just please, never drain 100% of the water. Make sure you leave some to hold the liner in place.
Click to expand...
Ok, so let's say I drain half, refill, add chlorine and keep at 15. During this time, I am running my pump/filter just recirculate? Scoop out goo and/or vacuum to waste? Once FC is stable at 15, then turn the pump to filter?
 
stxpoolgirl said:
Ok, so let's say I drain half, refill, add chlorine and keep at 15. During this time, I am running my pump/filter just recirculate? Scoop out goo and/or vacuum to waste? Once FC is stable at 15, then turn the pump to filter?
Click to expand...
That’s more or less exactly what I’d attempt. I’d say maybe use your filter before the chlorine stabilizes but definitely not at the start of the conversion. I do suspect your filter will help some, even when somewhat packed, but it sounds like you’ve got a good bit of work ahead of you and trying to use it at the start will just be a headache.
stxpoolgirl said:
Oh, and is the temperature of my water going to be a problem? Probably will stay around 80.
Click to expand...
The water temp may not be a large factor, but the outside temp will be. Keep in mind you’ll be dumping a good amount of chlorine into the water with no CYA in it. A fair amount of chlorine will be consumed by the sun so expect to use more chlorine during the conversion now verses if you were to convert during the cooler months. The more you can work at night, the better.
 
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Your pool is about 2/3 the size of ours. I didn't drain and refill because we are on well water, and "hauled" water for half a pool full, would have cost us around $600. Without draining, we only used around 20 gallons of 10% chlorine from start to finish. Even accounting for hot weather, if you decide NOT to drain, you probably would use less Cl than I did. If I were on city water and didn't have the worry of destroying a well or killing a pump, I would go for the drain option. Whatever you choose, welcome to TFP and Good Luck!
 
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Ok!!! My test kit is finally here, I have replaced some of my water. 2 questions- it is going to rain in the next few days, do I wait until after the rain to start the conversion?
2) skimmer sock on or off during the conversion?

I am getting so excited!
 
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I didn't seem to have any issues with a rainy day or two when I converted. I don't use "official" skimmer socks, but rather spun polyester hairnets purchased by the hundred from Amazon. Can usually find them for under $10 a pkg., as I recall. Mine were on throughout the conversion and almost every day all season. When dirty, throw them away... no cleaning! I like your positive attitude; it's way more than half the battle. (y)

Good luck!
 
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Sounds like u may be round about step 7- is your fc holding overnight? 1 ppm or less loss?
If so it’s time for some cya so u can hold fc during the day.
 

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