It is impossible to combine pool store "expertise" with the actual experts at TFP (Myself not included. I just like to help where I think I can.).
How expensive is the glass? I fear the pool store steered you wrong again. Converters change the media close to the end of the process because BQ can hide in the sand and mess with your ability to keep FC elevated. Sometimes you can get away with not changing the media if you do numerous and thorough deep cleans, but to ensure none of the media is contaminated, most just change out the sand at between $10 and $15/50 lb. bag.
As an aside, Test strips in general, let alone BQ strips, are inconsistent at best. I came to this realization not long before my own conversion. For instance, no matter how much pH+ I used, the strips indicated I wasn't budging over 6.8. When I got the test kit I ended up having to use a half bottle of Muriatic acid.
For oxidizer levels, the BQ test strips indicate 50ppm (dark blue), 30ppm (light blue) or 0 (white). Really? Those are the only options? I can't have 10, or 25, or 45 ppm?
How expensive is the glass? I fear the pool store steered you wrong again. Converters change the media close to the end of the process because BQ can hide in the sand and mess with your ability to keep FC elevated. Sometimes you can get away with not changing the media if you do numerous and thorough deep cleans, but to ensure none of the media is contaminated, most just change out the sand at between $10 and $15/50 lb. bag.
As an aside, Test strips in general, let alone BQ strips, are inconsistent at best. I came to this realization not long before my own conversion. For instance, no matter how much pH+ I used, the strips indicated I wasn't budging over 6.8. When I got the test kit I ended up having to use a half bottle of Muriatic acid.
For oxidizer levels, the BQ test strips indicate 50ppm (dark blue), 30ppm (light blue) or 0 (white). Really? Those are the only options? I can't have 10, or 25, or 45 ppm?