It's my turn to take the conversion plunge!

[TravisD]

Yeah, it's time. I have only had a pool since the spring and fell right into the Baquacil trap. At first it was fine. But as the summer rains have progressed throughout last month, my water quality has deteriorated. I've added Oxidizer, more Sanitizer, this and that, and my water is not improving. In fact, it has gotten worse. I can hardly see the bottom now. Hazy and milky. So, today I'll be going to Leslie's to get their water test kit and tomorrow I'll hit up Wal-Mart for the bleach, and go to it. I have read many posts and instructions on how to do it, so I think I have a good understanding on what to expect and how to get to a chlorine pool free of Baquacil, and hopefully I'll have a little more money in my pocket. I do have one question before I get strated. I am supposed to run the filter throughout the process, right?
I'll get some pics throughout the conversion and post on my progress. Please stick around, I'm sure I'll have some questions for the others that have already converted. I'm a bit nervous but I know it's for the best. Wish me luck!
Here is a pic from the end of May when all was good:

 

[JasonLion]

Welcome to TFP!

Good luck on your conversion! We are always around to answer questions.

The best test kits are available over the Internet. It is really unusual to fine something that has a FAS-DPD chlorine test locally.

 

[TravisD]

My local Leslie's just happens to have the one that is equivalent to the Taylor K-2006 listed in the Pool School section. Will that one do ok?

 

[JasonLion]

If they really have that one, then it is just fine. What usually happens is they don't have it, end up selling you a different one, and it turns out to not work out. But if they actually have the correct one you are good. You want the Leslie's Chlorine FAS-DPD Service Test Kit. Don't get anything else.

 

[TravisD]

Ok. I'll make sure. I gave them the item number off their website and they told me they had it. I'll be going down there to check it out in a few.

 

[TravisD]

Also, can I use the Baquacil PH increaser and decreaser to adjust the PH before the conversion?

 

[JasonLion]

Yes, their PH Increaser is just soda ash and their PH Decreaser is just dry acid.

 

[TravisD]

Just got back from Leslie's and it is exactly what is pictured in the Pool School section. My PH is at 7.6 so I'm going to drop it down to 7.2 and start the conversion in the morning.

 

[heatmisr]

We wish you a speedy conversion and remember...........



lots of them!....lol.

 

[TravisD]

I'll start posting pics tomorrow when I dump in my first batch of bleach.

 

[heatmisr]

Ok, but make sure you take your "before" pic today.

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

Good luck!

 

[TravisD]

I got the PH down to 7.2 and started adding the bleach.
Here's a before:

And this is seconds after adding the bleach to the water:

Water turned nasty real fast. Not sure what my level of Baquacil was.
I'll post again in a few hours.

 

[Butterfly]

Hi Travis,

When you get a moment, I suggest you add your pump & filter specs to your sig.

Hope you have a speedy conversion :-D

Welcome to the forum

 

[TravisD]

Thanks Butterfly!

Well, I am a few hours into the conversion and I do have a few questions.
1. My filter is so clogged with stuff that it hardly pushes water through and it makes this awful noise after just a few seconds of running the pump that I had to take out the filter media. Is this ok?
2. I want to make sure I am testing for FC correctly. I have the Taylor K-2006 test kit. I add two small scoops of the powder, then add the drops to make the water clear again. I am using 25ml of water so each drop acts as .2. It took 7 drops for the water to get clear again, so that means i take 7 and mulitply it by .2, to get 1.4 ppm of FC. Is this correct?

 

[pepsiholic]

I'll wait for the experts to chime in about your cartridge media, but from what I have read you should probably clean it off and put it back so it can catch the goo that is leaving your water. I'm not sure because I had a sand filter, but I know when I changed it after my conversion it was a yucky mess!

Your test results sound accurate, just be sure to bump your chlorine levels back up to shock level as often as you can to speed up the process.

Good luck and once your finished you will be so much happier with your pool water, I know it made a world of difference for me!

 

[TravisD]

Thanks for the reply. I managed to get the filter clean enough to put it back in. I'm getting this yellowish tint to the media and a yellow colored slimy mess in the baskets. Gross! But anyway, I'll take another picture when the rain stops and post it up, My water is like a greenish white tint right now.

 

[TravisD]

Almost 6 hours in now. Went through 10 182oz bottles of bleach so far. Last time I took the FC, it was at 6, and that was after about an hour, so it is holding better now. Water still looks horrible.

 

[pepsiholic]

Don't get discouraged the water will look horrible for several days, just keep pounding it with bleach. I went through about 70 large bottles, maybe even more to complete my conversion. I had low baquacil levels, since you have higher levels, it will take a little longer, just hang in there

The expense in bleach at the beginning will be well worth it in the end. I only use about 3 quarts a night now and have crystal clear water, and have not had any fluctuation in my TA and ph. So basically 5 minutes a nite adding bleach and viola!!

 

[JasonLion]

You should do the chlorine test with only 10 ml of pool water, so that each drop is 0.5. Otherwise you will run out of R-0871 way too quickly.