Thought done converting from baquacil but pool is now green

[rayandwendy]

I now hate our pool. It's a money pit.

We have old Islander inground pool with vinyl liner and 23000 gal of water. We use a cartridge filter system. It was a money pit last year. Kept adding chemicals but it was always cloudy. Leslie's would always tell use to add more shock and sanitizer. Never looked good.

We decided to convert this year to chlorine to hopefully get back to being happy people who entertain. To top the pool off this year we have been filling from our tap which is well water.

Our first chemical check on May 5 said we were starting with the following levels:
FAC- 0
pH- 7.4
alkanlity: 70
Calcium hardness: 70
CYA: 0
TDS: 200
free and clear of baquacil chemicals...


We've been following what Leslie's has been telling us to do. This Saturday, our numbers were:
FAC- 0
pH- 7.4
alkanlity; 70
Calcium hardness: 120
CYA: 35
TDS: 300
Copper/Iron: 0/0
Phosphates: 0

We were told to add 8 oz of ultra brite (which we did on Saturday night) . Today we added 4 lbs of granular chlorine and 20 mins later added 4 oz of algeacide. To our surprise, the pool which was blue but cloudy on Friday and Saturday is now pond green.

Off we went to Leslie's. Not much help there but to say to start with 4 lbs of fresh and clear ( oxiding shock). A fellow standing in line shook his heads and said he had converted his pools twice from baqaicil to chlorine and urge us to use you as a guide. He told us to add 8 gallons of straight bleach and to maintain the levels. Now we aren't sure what to do and hope for some guidance. I have a child turning 13 yr who is hoping for a memorial day bday swimming party and this doesn't look good.

I've read your site and am not sure what we should be doing...

Our numbers now:
ph: 6.2 ( it was 7.2 six hrs ago at Leslie's so is dropping)
chlorine:3 ( it was 5, six hours ago at Leslie's so is dropping)
alkalinity: 50 ( it was 120, six hours ago at Leslie's so is dropping)
CYA: 30-50 ( same six hrs ago)

Should we go with the Leslie's recommendation or with bleach.

Guidance is greatly appreciated.

 

[JasonLion]

I very much recommend that you go with bleach. We have a guide on doing baquacil conversions written up and several people here who will be happy to give you advice and suggestions through out the process.

Could you tell me what test kit you are using? Most test kits won't read PH levels below 6.8.

Regardless of which approach you are using, you should get the PH/TA back up. Do you have any soda ash/washing soda/PH Up? That is probably the best chemical to use in this situation. You want to raise the PH to at least 7.0 as soon as practical.

 

[Bama Rambler]

A couple things jump out at me.
You filled with well water. Have you had the fill water tested for metals?
If you'll stick around here and read Pool School several times, we'll help you get your pool clear and save you a bunch of money in the process.

Are all the tests you've provided from Leslies? The first thing I'll recommend is to get a good test kit so that you're not relying on the pool store. The pool store tests can be very wrong.

 

[zea3]

Read or re-read Converting from Baquacil to Chlorine.. You may also want to read a couple of the conversion threads other members have started documenting their experience with the Baquacil to Chlorine conversion. The conversion is not a one time drop of chemicals that "fixes" your pool. You will need to raise your FC to shock level with liquid chlorine (6% bleach or 10-12% from pool store) and keep it at shock level with frequent additions of chlorine until you pass the overnight test (FC drops by 1ppm or less from dusk to dawn and CC or .5 or less) The pump needs to run 24/7 during the conversion process and you will need to clean the filter cartridge whenever the pressure rises 10ppm above the normal operating pressure. That may be as often as every few hours the first day or two of the conversion. After the conversion is complete you will need to replace your cartridge. Then you can allow the FC to drop to normal levels.
You will be testing FC frequently during the conversion. Most conventional test kits do not test FC above 5ppm. Your shock level is likely more than 5, so it would be in your best interest to get a FAS/DPD testing kit that can measure much higher levels of chlorine. TF100 is one most often recommended by the members of this site. If you have a kit that measures pH, TA, CYA, & CH, then you can order just the FAS/DPD chlorine test from them instead.
You will be adding chlorine frequently the first day or two to maintain shock level. The old Baquacil will consume the chlorine quickly so don't be surprised if your FC goes from say 20 to 2 within an hour when you first start the conversion. Since you have a partial conversion it may not use the FC as quickly. Still, stock up on bleach, you will go through quite a bit of it. Most converters start out with around 20 of the 96 ounce jugs of 6% bleach. Your water may turn funky colors during the conversion, that is normal. Please do not be discouraged. There are plenty of former Baquacil users here who can advise you during the conversion process.

 

[rayandwendy]

Thank you so much for all of your insight and helpful information. We now are Baquacil free and we are crying chlorine tears of joy. Our pool is crystal clear and we have already used it more than we were able to all of last year.

Thanks again,
Ray and Wendy

 

[JasonLion]

You are welcome, and congratulations!