bethdorothy,
For starters, you've made the right first call, to ditch Baquacil. While so much of this seems difficult I can promise you that once converted pool care will be considerably easier. I too have used Baquacil for over 15 years and looking back I see how much of a pain it was. We converted about 5 years ago now and love it. I've helped many users in the past convert and have yet to see somebody regret it.
Before you start anything a good FAS/DPD kit is a must. It will allow you to test your chlorine level up to the 15ppm mark which is a must for converting to chlorine. In fact the test will go up up to 50ppm on the chlorine test. The kit looks difficult but it really isn't. Once you start you'll catch on quick. The second thing to keep in mind is that a SWG produces chlorine......bleach adds chlorine. Neither one is harsher on anything as long as you keep things under control. If you install a SWG it's highly unlikely it would be able to produce enough chlorine to convert. You will need to use liquid chlorine to convert (and please don't listen to a pool store who will try to convert with Trichlor). Lastly, there is likely going to be some Baquacil in the water but the levels will be low. Converting shouldn't take much this time of the year. Plan on uncovering a week or two early however as the pool will be out of commission during the conversion.
For starters, you've made the right first call, to ditch Baquacil. While so much of this seems difficult I can promise you that once converted pool care will be considerably easier. I too have used Baquacil for over 15 years and looking back I see how much of a pain it was. We converted about 5 years ago now and love it. I've helped many users in the past convert and have yet to see somebody regret it.
Before you start anything a good FAS/DPD kit is a must. It will allow you to test your chlorine level up to the 15ppm mark which is a must for converting to chlorine. In fact the test will go up up to 50ppm on the chlorine test. The kit looks difficult but it really isn't. Once you start you'll catch on quick. The second thing to keep in mind is that a SWG produces chlorine......bleach adds chlorine. Neither one is harsher on anything as long as you keep things under control. If you install a SWG it's highly unlikely it would be able to produce enough chlorine to convert. You will need to use liquid chlorine to convert (and please don't listen to a pool store who will try to convert with Trichlor). Lastly, there is likely going to be some Baquacil in the water but the levels will be low. Converting shouldn't take much this time of the year. Plan on uncovering a week or two early however as the pool will be out of commission during the conversion.
There will be support here if you decide to do the switch.