homeplace,
Welcome
First things first - if you do wish to convert then you are absolutely going to need one of the recommended test kits - either a Taylor K-2006C (the "C" designation is important) OR the TF-100 with XL option (from
TFTestkits.net). Getting a SpeedStir helps make testing go faster and makes you look really cool too (in a nerdy-scientist kind of way).
TFP has a process for Baqaucil-to-Chlorine conversion here -
Pool School - Convert Your Baqua Pool to Chlorine
One thing to note - that process was designed and developed to work with a pool that is using only the Baquacil sanitizer (PHMB) and the Baquacil oxidizer (peroxide). Since the development of that process, many of the Baquacil dealers have pushed Baqua pool owners into using the Baquacil CDX product to help stabilize oxidizer levels and make the pool more manageable (and your wallet even more lighter than it already is!). The CDX product is a formulation of a chemical called DMH (dimethylhydantoin) with some polyether diols in it to help with dispersion. DMH stabilizes the peroxide oxidizer chemical a bit allowing a Baqua user to go longer between additions and to help prevent water mold that can occur when either the sanitizer or oxidizer gets low. DMH is also found in bromine hot tubs to help stabilize bromine levels. The problem is, DMH has absolutely no use whatsoever in chlorine chemistry and only serves as another organic in the water that will cause high chlorine demand when trying to convert.
The normal conversion process typically takes about 5-7 days and usually goes off without a hitch. Sadly, the use of the DMX chemical makes that very same process very lengthy - we've seen conversions take over 3 weeks in some instances. Now, not all of that may be attributable to the DMX because the conversion process is fairly involved and really requires a concentrated and concerted effort to measure chlorine levels and dose appropriately. In the beginning of the chlorine addition process, you could/should test and dose on an hourly basis as the chlorine will get quickly used up as it oxidizes and destroys the PHMB. So some part of these stalled conversion processes tend to be attributable to the simple fact that most people can't babysit their pools for days on end and so they let the chlorine levels drop and that just slows everything down. Then, there are also people who inadvertently listen to the bad advice at pool stores and add shock to their pool that contain cyanuric acid stabilizer which then REALLY slows down the entire process.
There are some hints from other online forums that the CDX Baquacil pools can be more effectively converted to chlorine by first dosing the water with pure sodium percarbonate (the active ingredient in OxiClean) as the high pH and high peroxide levels generated from that dosing helps to really destroy all the organics in the pool water. Then, after the peroxide levels have come down, one then adds acid to bring the pH back down a bit and chlorine to finish off the process. Unfortunately, we have no cases here at TFP of people trying that process and so we can't advocate using it without some test case to prove that it works as other sites have suggested.
So, your options are these -
1. Go with the standard conversion process in the link above and hope for the best...
2. Drain some of your pool water (leave at least 12" of water in the shallow end) and try to dilute the CDX down (a full drain is impossible with a vinyl pool)
OR
3. Be a guinea pig beta tester and try out the percarbonate conversion process.
Obviously we want whats best for your pool and your wallet and we don't want you going off on any wild goose chases. We also realize that, since you are new, you have nothing to judge the benefits of chlorine by except the word of the thousands of pool owners here that switch and so even I would be reluctant to go through an unknown process. We also realize that few people want to play "
junior chemistry whiz" with their pool and really, at the end of the day, just want a bucket of water to swim in. So it's really up to you and what you think is best for your pool. The switch to chlorine will save you tons of money, it's just there is going to be a lot of pain initially to get there....
Let us know how you want to proceed.