We started trying to convert our 15 ft round above ground pool with about 6000 gallons of water, from Baquacil to chlorine 10 days ago. Testing with the Taylor K 1004 kit. Water appears to be holding chlorine a bit but still radioactive green and not changing. At this point we want to use the pool this summer so we are thinking about draining it and starting fresh. Does anyone know anything about this and can you provide any tips ? Anything we should be warned about ahead of time? We will of course, clean our DE filter and start fresh there.
Draining pool to convert from Baquacil to Chlorine
- Thread starter jmcd9815
- Start date
Is it an intex style pool ? If so it's safe to drain fully. If not, you have to leave a foot of water to keep the liner in place. The remaining battle once full will only be 25% of what it would have been.
A conversion with chlorine will take a week or two and require a good deal of effort. If you have a clear path for the water to go, and cheap fill water, draining is always preferred.
A conversion with chlorine will take a week or two and require a good deal of effort. If you have a clear path for the water to go, and cheap fill water, draining is always preferred.
Thank you for the info. It is a regular above ground pool not an index. So we can't drain it completely is what I understand. I really don't want to deal with the conversion. So if we drain it all but a foot are you saying we will still have to deal with the conversion?
A much smaller battle, equal to the proportion you drained.
Multiple drains lose efficiency because you dump good water with the bad. So one 75% drain would leave 25% of the battle. A second 75% drain would drain 150% of the pool volume but sill have 12.5% of the battle left.
Drain down to a foot, keeping an eye on the liner for shifting towards the end. SLAM with liquid chlorine and begin to refill. Monitor and maintain the FC as you fill. It will be a much easier battle than it would be with no drain.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 13,702
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
You need to add the fas dpd test & the cya test to your lineup have a complete kit & be able to follow the tfp protocols.
Taylor k1515 & k1721 available at multiple online retailers
Or
tftestkits.net
&
tftestkits.net
Taylor k1515 & k1721 available at multiple online retailers
Or
FAS/DPD Chlorine Test Kit
Cyanuric Acid (CYA) Test Kit
thank you for your help. I understand it now
Thanks I will follow your suggestions on test kitsYou need to add the fas dpd test & the cya test to your lineup have a complete kit & be able to follow the tfp protocols.
Taylor k1515 & k1721 available at multiple online retailers
Or
&FAS/DPD Chlorine Test Kit
Cyanuric Acid (CYA) Test Kit
I read some posts stating that you should use a non chlorine shock for the rest of the season because any residual Bac on liner or possibly in the ladder could cause a problem later on. We cleaned the ladder as much as possible at the end of late season ,due to the white mold issue we kept having. We cleaned the DE filter again, the same as we would at the end of the season meaning an acid bath. So I am wondering if this is something I will have to keep a special eye on all season or if the conversion is complete will the pool settle into a normal chlorine pattern.
I really appreciate the advice I am getting.
Add to my reply, the liner looks fine, no slime or color change once water has drained.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 13,702
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
You will still need to do the conversion in the order listed in the article even though you drained most of the water. It just shouldn’t take as long.
Brush the ladder & liner.
Do not use mps “non chlorine shock” .
Use liquid chlorine
www.google.com
Brush the ladder & liner.
Do not use mps “non chlorine shock” .
Use liquid chlorine
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.google.com
Thank you for you quick and helpful replies!You will still need to do the conversion in the order listed in the article even though you drained most of the water. It just shouldn’t take as long.
Brush the ladder & liner.
Do not use mps “non chlorine shock” .
Use liquid chlorine
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
Pool is refilled and ready to chlorinate. Based on testing with my kits and the pool store, the Bacquacil level is 0. I forgot that before we even started the conversion we drained the pool down by half. Then refilled it and shocked it as we were told by local pool store who had sold me the baquacil products. Water turned brown then eventually after adding more chlorine turned an almost florescent green. That is where it stayed for almost 2 weeks, no matter what I did. I tested and added hourly until last weekend when we again drained the pool. This time we drained it down to less then 12 inches but not all the way to dry. We refilled it. My question is does anyone think that having basically in two drains, replaced the pool water. The baquacil could still present a problem? We brushed down the sides and vacuumed but nothing ever came off and as the water lowered ,the liner appeared blue. Water looks clear so I am just curious. Thanks for all your patience and help.
Just want to say thanks again. advice was spot on and we are able to enjoy our chlorine poolYou will still need to do the conversion in the order listed in the article even though you drained most of the water. It just shouldn’t take as long.
Brush the ladder & liner.
Do not use mps “non chlorine shock” .
Use liquid chlorine
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
- Jun 1, 2018
- 13,702
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I did. FC level seems to be holding since last night around 5 EST.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 13,702
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Fantastic 
Now just Maintain fc above minimum for your cya at all times (aim for high target
when dosing so you maintain a good buffer)
FC/CYA Levels
follow the other recommended levels
www.troublefreepool.com
&
Pool Care Basics
& you should be good 2 go
Now just Maintain fc above minimum for your cya at all times (aim for high target
when dosing so you maintain a good buffer) FC/CYA Levels
follow the other recommended levels
What Are My Ideal Pool Levels?
Use our tool to find ideal chemical levels for any swimming pool. Check TFP recommended levels on pH, free chlorine, cyanuric acid, and more.
www.troublefreepool.com
Pool Care Basics
& you should be good 2 go
Thanks for the articles. Never realized, with our old pool, all the chemistry involved. Guess we just lucked out with my old chlorine pool. But taking no chances with this one. So again many thanks for all the help.
I lucked out for 6.5 years pre TFP. The pool ran hot the first week with me not having any clue what I was doing, but it was stupid clear so I kept doing it. As the rain lowered the CYA level, I was running at 3/4 SLAM or full SLAM a good chunk of the summer.
When the cell died, it went sideways quick and I had zero idea what to do without my trusty little 'more chlorine' button.
It's only a matter of time before everyone's goes sideways. And that is *not* the time to be learning if possible. Even better yet, learn and avoid all the pitfalls in the first place.
