Hello TFP,
I definitely can say I am a rookie at pool maintenance, however I was thrown into the fire from the start and have some good experience already...or should I say bad experience. Moved in to this house in June and the previous owners had not opened the pool yet. Our realtor decided to hire someone to open it as a gift from her...which was very nice, but one of those things that maybe should have waited. The previous owners where on baquacil (for a number of years not sure exactly how many) and that was how it was opened. I did after the fact get a chance to talk to the owner about this infamous "baquacil" product. He explained some stuff that went in one ear and out the other :blah: ...only thing I heard was it would cost around $600 a year in chemicals WOW! I wanted to change right then but it seemed everyone I talked to told me to wait until I open it up next year to convert.
Well everything started fine I guess other than a lot of vacuuming...then I developed what I thought was mustard algae which I treated with the Baquacil chemicals (premium algaecide) twice, then came the white algae. It has been a little over a month...3 trips to the Baquacil dealer and $300 dollars later. Time to make the switch NOW!
Read and printed 'Converting Your Baquacil Pool to Chlorine'
Ordered my TF 100 XL test kit on tuesday.
I have 12 jugs of Clorox of bleach (From what I have read that will probably not be enough!)
Camera ready!
These are my current readings as of yesterday (free pool store check).
Baq - Sanitizer and Agitate = 26
Baq - Oxidizer = 6
TA = 96
pH level = 7.4
CH = 221
Copper = 0
Iron = 0
TDS = 250
SI = -0.3
Is my Baquacil number low enought to start...been over a week since anything added?
Should I always pour the bleach in front of the return?
Should I go ahead and get Borax and Baking Soda now...if so how much?
New Sand - Not sure how to determine how much or what kind, I'm guessing there is a label on the filter somewhere with some helpful info?
I was hoping to get started this weekend...If my test kit does not arrive by Friday could I start with a cheap FC test kit from the local Walmart or do you recommend waiting? I work days during the week and would be afraid there might be an build of pressure (due to baquagoo) while I'm gone...should I be concerned about that if I start during the week?
Also, the temperature here like most places this year is over 100°F everyday...will that affect the conversion?
I have 1 bottle of baquacil filter cleaner left...would it help any to use it before or during the process?
I plan on leaving the filter running 24/7 during the conversion process, backwashing as needed...correct?
Any last minute advise? :?:
11,000 gal., AG pool, sand filter, vinyl liner.
I definitely can say I am a rookie at pool maintenance, however I was thrown into the fire from the start and have some good experience already...or should I say bad experience. Moved in to this house in June and the previous owners had not opened the pool yet. Our realtor decided to hire someone to open it as a gift from her...which was very nice, but one of those things that maybe should have waited. The previous owners where on baquacil (for a number of years not sure exactly how many) and that was how it was opened. I did after the fact get a chance to talk to the owner about this infamous "baquacil" product. He explained some stuff that went in one ear and out the other :blah: ...only thing I heard was it would cost around $600 a year in chemicals WOW! I wanted to change right then but it seemed everyone I talked to told me to wait until I open it up next year to convert.
Well everything started fine I guess other than a lot of vacuuming...then I developed what I thought was mustard algae which I treated with the Baquacil chemicals (premium algaecide) twice, then came the white algae. It has been a little over a month...3 trips to the Baquacil dealer and $300 dollars later. Time to make the switch NOW!
Read and printed 'Converting Your Baquacil Pool to Chlorine'
Ordered my TF 100 XL test kit on tuesday.
I have 12 jugs of Clorox of bleach (From what I have read that will probably not be enough!)
Camera ready!
These are my current readings as of yesterday (free pool store check).
Baq - Sanitizer and Agitate = 26
Baq - Oxidizer = 6
TA = 96
pH level = 7.4
CH = 221
Copper = 0
Iron = 0
TDS = 250
SI = -0.3
Is my Baquacil number low enought to start...been over a week since anything added?
Should I always pour the bleach in front of the return?
Should I go ahead and get Borax and Baking Soda now...if so how much?
New Sand - Not sure how to determine how much or what kind, I'm guessing there is a label on the filter somewhere with some helpful info?
I was hoping to get started this weekend...If my test kit does not arrive by Friday could I start with a cheap FC test kit from the local Walmart or do you recommend waiting? I work days during the week and would be afraid there might be an build of pressure (due to baquagoo) while I'm gone...should I be concerned about that if I start during the week?
Also, the temperature here like most places this year is over 100°F everyday...will that affect the conversion?
I have 1 bottle of baquacil filter cleaner left...would it help any to use it before or during the process?
I plan on leaving the filter running 24/7 during the conversion process, backwashing as needed...correct?
Any last minute advise? :?:
11,000 gal., AG pool, sand filter, vinyl liner.