My BC_2_CC BaquaCrud to Chlorine Conversion

[duraleigh]

Hi, John,

Welcome to the forum.

Found a 4lb. box of Arm & Hammer baking soda @ $2.12.
Picked up (3) boxes of 76oz. (just under 5lbs.) 20 Mule Borax.

Based on your test results, I see no reason to raise either your pH or your TA?

Am I missing something from an earlier post, perhaps?

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

As stated above, don't adjust the PH yet. Leave it at 7.2 for now.

 

[Casey]

John E.Vee,
Please read this quote before putting Borax/Baking soda into the water!

When there isn't any CYA in the water, which is true during a conversion, chlorine is more effective at lower PH levels. Since the amounts of chlorine used in a conversion are so large, it is important to help it be as effective as possible. Once there is CYA in the water the PH doesn't affect the chlorine very much..

 

[John E. Vee]

Thanks guys.
I did re-read the previous posts as there did seem to be a little confusion or difference of opinion regarding my pH of 7.2
I now understand that the "not a good idea" was solely referring to the use of the Polaris.
I have since removed the Polaris and will bleach-bath it and break it down for a thorough cleaning.
I have NOT added the Borax, nor will I. The baking soda is just to have on hand for when I do need it.
I just re-tested and will post results soon.
I just wanted to let you guys know that I DIDN'T add the Borax, and judging by your nearly immediate
response (pronounced:I appreciate it!) didn't want anyone losing any sleep tonight!
Will post test results next.

 

[John E. Vee]

Thursday 8:30pm
Steady rain has been falling since around 2:00pm

Th_04_8p Test Results
FC 2
CC 4.5
TC 6.5
pH 7.2
T/A 110

 

[John E. Vee]

Welcome to TFP.

Thanks for the warm welcome.

 

[John E. Vee]

Hi, John,

Welcome to the forum.

Found a 4lb. box of Arm & Hammer baking soda @ $2.12.
Picked up (3) boxes of 76oz. (just under 5lbs.) 20 Mule Borax.

Based on your test results, I see no reason to raise either your pH or your TA?

Am I missing something from an earlier post, perhaps?

Hey so maybe "this here internet thing" ain't just a fad after-all! :joker:
So, all joking aside, this website, forum and it's moderators are an incredibly helpful
means of discussing, working on and solving swimming pool issues of every magnitude!
(He said as if he owned company stock) (which he does NOT!) :sad:

 

[John E. Vee]

Exactly right. I started my conversion Sunday May 31st.
I sorta winged it with the bleach for the first 2 days 'till I received my TF-100.
I actually probly over-chlorinated some, but that may have also contributed to my progress.
On Tuesday I had my test kit and the process became more scientific, purposeful.
I'm posting info and picks in order to encourage anyone who is even considering starting this process to go ahead and do it!
It took me a few days to think it over and muster up the guts to do it.
I can't begin to (nor do I need to) explain the frustration, disappointment and expense of trying to remedy all my problems with BaquaCrud!
Mind you, I too am new to this process but I'll answer with what experiences I've had. Note that the TFP people are "on top of things!"
They are great at answering questions or popping up with advice.
But I do recommend getting the kit in order to be informed and prepared with the necessary stats.
Good luck!
-John E. Vee

 

[John E. Vee]

Friday 1:30am
Rain has stopped. There's a bit of a drizzle.
The deep end is clearing up nicely. Still can't see the floor drain.
Clarity off the pool wall is increasingly larger towards the center of the deep end and has improved tremendously.
Deep end pool light actually illuminates all the way to the shallow end steps. Man, it's been so long!

I just dosed 4 big Clorox bottles. Will test water tomorrow by 8:00am and post results.

Started Conversion on Sunday
Running Bleach Count:
(32) 96oz. bottles
(42) 182oz. bottles
= 10,716oz.
= 84 gallons

 

[John E. Vee]

Friday 7:00am
There's a heavy drizzle of rain coming down.
Pool is clearing up nicely. I can make out the drain in the deep end. But bottom is still a bit fuzzy.
I had dosed (4) large Clorox this morning @ 1:30
Just sampled some water. Today's first test results are below.

Fri_01_7a
FC 15.5
CC 5.5
TC 21
pH 7.4
T/A 110

 

[Casey]

Hopefully we'll get some pics today?

 

[John E. Vee]

You can check my progress pics at BC_2_CC Photo_Diary
I will be adding more pics today.

 

[John E. Vee]

Here are some pictures from my BaquaCrud Conversion



This picture is a bit misleading
as the color of the pool water is actually a sickly pea green

I hadn't seen the pool bottom since the beginning of the season.
Note:Those are clouds reflecting on the water's surface

Quite inviting, isn't it!?!
The green only got darker and darker towards the deep end

Here it goes! My first Clorox dose. Right into the steps.
That rust-brown means it's working, really working!

Signs of BaquaCrud began to appear almost instantly

Milky clouds formed beneath the water with every Clorox jug I poured in

Patches of a sudsy-flaky film were steadily forming by my 4th 96oz Clorox jug

A bit impatient and expecting more of a reaction, I'm up to my 7th Clorox jug.
Not bad, but not very convincing either. Was hoping for more of a reaction (chemical)
I had ordered my TF-100 and couldn't wait.

But I would hold off on (7) 96oz jugs as my 1st day's (Sunday) dosing and
get an early start the next day.

Dosed the pool with (6) 96oz jugs at a time.
Now THAT's more like it!

I think it's working.

Well, it's doing something!

Just a noteays before my conversion, I had added my 3rd & 4th bottle of
BaquaCrud Oxidixer and my 2nd bottle of Sanitizer in an effort to clear my water.
So this may be the reason for the more violent reaction to the Clorox on Day 2

Hmmm...2 days of BaquaCrud chemicals...Hmmmm...let's see...15 and 15
and 30 and carry the one.....Whaaaaa!?! $135!!! What am I NUTS!?!

Costco-Runnnn!!!
10 cases of (3) to a case 182oz Clorox jugs. 30 jugs. $73.50 pre-tax.

OK! Now lets get (back) to work!

Bleach Count: (24) 96oz & (8) 182oz Clorox jugs

A lot less BaquaCrud floating to the top. And the water is still green.
Starting to worry if this is working.

Bleach Count (32) 96oz & (21) 182oz.
Here's where I may have gone a bit overboard!

But the water is still green! Are you sure this is working?
A little bleach is good, so I guess a lot more would be gooder!

You can "wing it" the first day or two.
But use your TF-100! Get your TF-100! Post your results! Take pictures!

So are THESE the pretty colors you guys were talking about?

Or something like this?

Just kidding!

Remember to backwash!

And floss between meals.

The TF-100 tests seem to be going in the right direction.
But the water, the water is still nasty green!
Are you guys sure this gonna work!?!

Just look at all the bleach I've already used!

I mean its Wednesday.




I've been dumping Clorox in here for 4 days.




I think you guys have been pulling my leg.




This has just been a waste of my time.




And of my money.





Ohhhhhhhhhh, now I get it!
It's working! It's working!
I knew you guys knew what you were talking about!!!!!!!

My liner! My liner! I can see the bottom of my liner again!

Day 4 Running Clorox Count: (35) 96oz & (32) 182oz jugs

Day 5 Clorox Count is up to (35) 96oz & (40) 182oz jugs

By Day 5 I am adding Clorox ONLY in the evening. And testing diligently!

So things are definitely looking up

Can clearly see the bottom of the liner.
Just a bit of sediment to vacuum up.

Why yes, even the floor drain!

My Clorox count to date is: ( ) 96oz & ( ) 182oz. jugs

So sticking with the process is definitely worth the results!

Just a bit of vacuuming, and keeping up with daily testing

And things are really cleaning up well

And of course lets not forget to backwash! Mmm, mmm, yum!

 

[DaveNJ]

Great pictures, I am amazed at the conversions I see on the forum. Very impressive!

 

[John E. Vee]

Friday 4:00pm
So it rained. It rained hard! Flash flood warning rain came down for hours. Finally stopped around 1:00pm
I dosed (4) 182oz Clorox @ 1:00am
I haven't added any since.
I'm re-posting my 7:00am water results below:

Fri_01_7a

FC 15.5
CC 5.5
TC 21
pH 7.4
T/A 110

I just sampled again @4:00pm

Fri_02_4p

FC 1.5
CC 3.5
TC 5.0
pH 7.3
T/A 100

So....my Chlorine levels held strong from 1:00am to at least 7:00am
We had very heavy, prolonged rain till about 1:00pm
Come 4:00pm nearly all chlorine is gone? Is this due solely to the rain?
I intend on dosing (4) 182oz Clorox within the next hour. Is this the right move?
Note: I backwashed for about 2 minutes to clean, lower operating pressure, and lower pool water volume due to rain.
I wanna be sure I stay on top of the process so as not to give algae an opportunity to start up again.
Does this sound right?

 

[JasonLion]

Because you don't yet have any CYA, it is normal to lose all of your chlorine to sunlight during the day. If it has been raining, there won't be nearly as much sunlight, but there is still some light and you will still lose plenty of chlorine.

You did fairly well last night, so you can probably stop adding chlorine during the day, and only add chlorine in the evening. Tonight, you should do a careful overnight FC loss test. That will tell you if you are done with this phase of the conversion or, if not, how close you are.

 

[John E. Vee]

Jason,
So go ahead and dose the calculated nearly (4) 182oz. Clorox jugs this evening, wait about an hour, test the water, then early tomorrow before strong sunlight test again and perform a carefull overnight loss using the TF-100?

 

[lovingHDTV]

exactly, though I'm not Jason

 

[JasonLion]

What lovingHDTV said.

 

[Patrick]

That's a great price per 182 oz. bottle. I paid $4.28 per bottle and if I wanted to
drive another 15 minutes further the best price around was $3.99 per bottle.
Good for you!