The end of Baquacil ...process starting on Sept 15, 2013

[duraleigh]

Use your chlorine to kill that algae and baquagoo. Keep you FC up around 10 ppm and REPLENISH IT as often as you can returning it to 10 ppm.

Allowing it to get much below that will extend your conversion significantly.

 

[bbodb1]

Thanks Dave!

So overnight on the first day/night of the conversion, my FC count looks be about 2. Edit: the pic below was taken with objects in the background behind the test kit. Based on other folks experience I have read on this forum, that is no surprise at all. With a full day to be home today, I plan on checking FC several times throughout the day.

Not sure that weather conditions matter in/during a conversion all that much but last night's low was mid 50's and clear. Today's high is forecasted in the low 80's, clear and sunny. Another wonderful day to be outside.

I'll post another pool pic soon but I thought posting a shot of the chlorine reading might be handy for those considering the TF-100 test kit. Note: this pic was taken approximately 11 hours after applying bleach last night. Edit: thanks Smykowski! That was a typo on my part and is now fixed!

Applying 3 gallons of bleach now bringing total bleach use thus far to 9 gallons.

 

[Smykowski]

Good work so far, and thanks for posting the pictures. You will have a lot of people rooting you on if we can see what you're seeing.

Couple of thoughts....

First, that pic you posted with the yellow titrant is the chlorine test, not the pH test. Because that chlorine test only tests total chlorine and doesn't separate FC and CC, I'm not sure if it provides any value during the conversion. Plus, it only goes up to 5, which is also a huge limitation.

Second, you can skip the pH tests during the conversion. It won't change much, and if you test while FC is high, the pH result will be inaccurate.

Third (and I know I'm killing Dave's refill sales - sorry!), for now just test FC, don't worry about CC. You know the CCs are going to be above 1 while you're this early in the process, and at this point it doesn't matter how high they are. You can start testing for CCs later on once the FC starts holding better.

Keep up the good work.

 

[bbodb1]

Smykowski,

In re reading your post, if I am understanding you correctly, you suggesting that I start doing the chlorine drop test instead of the basic test (from the K-1000 kit)...is that correct?

In the meantime, here is a photo from this morning.

 

[duraleigh]

you suggesting that I start doing the chlorine drop test instead of the basic test (from the K-1000 kit)...is that correct?

Absolutely. The test you are currently using cannot measure 10 ppm FC and that's where your FC needs to be.

 

[bbodb1]

Thanks Duraleigh!

Wow! My first FC test using the drop test.....about .5! It did not take long at all for that little pink to disappear!

A couple of observations: I am now starting to see some goo floating in pool. Little bits of goo though which is an improvement on the white goo I was seeing prior to starting this process. I am surprised how much the pool color is improving already - getting lighter.

More bleach!

Applying 3 gallons, 1 quart of bleach now bringing total bleach use thus far to 12+ gallons.

 

[duraleigh]

What was your target for FC? Are you using the pool calculator?

12 gallons to this point is a pittance. Be prepared to at least twice that much if not more. Reading between the lines, I am concerned you are not testing and dosing accurately......it's essential. Now and after your conversion.

Your focus should be on bringing your FC to 10 ppm after each test. Looks to me like you went to 14+ ppm with that dose of 3.25 gallons. I'm sure there is no harm done but I don't understand how you arrived at that dosage.

 

[bbodb1]

Duraleigh,

In reading the pool school article on Converting a Baqua pool to Chlorine, steps 2 and 4 set goals of adding bleach to raise the FC to 15. Have I misinterpreted something here?

 

[Leebo]

When I converted I'd always raise the FC level up to 15PPM and found the chlorine was consumed VERY quickly, almost in 10 minutes at the beginning stages. The more you can test/raise the FC levels the quicker the process will go.

 

[Leebo]

Duraleigh,

In reading the pool school article on Converting a Baqua pool to Chlorine, steps 2 and 4 set goals of adding bleach to raise the FC to 15. Have I misinterpreted something here?

Baqua conversions are an odd occurrence around anymore, and I'd put money says his mind mixed some numbers up. 15FC is the number I've always suggested, and used for myself during a conversion.

 

[duraleigh]

I get it now. I was puzzled by dosage when I had suggested 10 ppm (either one will work....15 is fine....there is no black and white difference) and I simply couldn't understand the goal of OP. I do now.

bbodb1,
disregard my confusion and replenish your FC to 15 ppm after each FC test. With 0 CYA in the sun, your FC will deplete rather quickly.

 

[bbodb1]

No worries, Duraleigh! Thanks to all who have contributed their time and advice!

Another FC test at 1:30. Reading of 1 ppm (at best).

Applying 3 more gallons, 1 quart of bleach now bringing total bleach use thus far to 15+ gallons.
On the plus side, my garbage man will be a bit happier this week as my trash cans smell MUCH better!

I will also step up the frequency of my testing. I was testing about every 3 hours or so but will step that up to every hour.
Also, another backwash (which was definitely needed).
No significant change in color or pool appearance.

Onward!

 

[duraleigh]

If you can time your dosages to when sunlight is not on the pool, you will get a bit more effectiveness out of the chlorine.

I would try to schedule a test and dose around 7:00pm and then another around 10:00pm

Don't get discouraged, your FC consumption will slowly start to drop as you burn everything out.

 

[bbodb1]

I will definitely make use of the time at and after sundown tonight.
Just tested at 2:20 pm. 2.5 ppm

TIme for 3 more gallons, bringing total applied to 19+.
(Ran out ..... again. Stores have to be wondering what I am up to.....)
This dose not applied until 5:00 pm - will test again at 6:00 pm

 

[bbodb1]

One last picture from today prior to sundown...much more bacqua goo floating in the pool now and the color remains about the same. Hit a dose at 6:15 pm (3 more bottles bringing the total to 22+ bottles).

Checking FC levels at 7:45 pm - 6.5 - 7 ppm! Finally getting somewhere - only adding 2 gallons now bringing the running total to 24+ bottles...

 

[duraleigh]

and the color remains about the same.

Really? Scroll back up and look at your other pictures.

 

[bbodb1]

I was able to get two doses in yesterday (Sun) after dark and one more this morning before sun up, then life sort of got in the way. Went about 14 hours between doses and the FC reading was about 1 ppm.

2 more doses tonight, 1 more in the morning and hopefully tomorrow I can dose more often. Picture update coming tomorrow.

 

[bbodb1]

The work week is definitely not conducive to regular dosing but we do the best we can. Color seems to be improving, lots of little bits of baqua goo still in the water but the goo is starting to settle a bit quicker thus making vacuuming and backwashing a higher priority. Put a dose in around 4:30 pm this afternoon and as of 9:00 pm the FC count was 5 - 5.5 ppm. Not bad considering there was a good amount of sunlight today.

More bleach!

 

[KenGood]

This conversion is really educational. Thanks for documenting it. I never would have know what a pain this conversion would be without tagging along with your thread.

 

[bbodb1]

You're welcome Ken - glad I could be of some help!

I do have to say it really hasn't been too much of a pain compared to what I have had to do in an attempt to keep the pool looking good on Baquacil. That was expensively painful (the costly world of Baquacil...)

Another work day bleaching schedule with similar results. FC test around 5 pm was 1 ppm. This was after a full dose last night but NOT a dose this morning as I ran out of bleach! :grrrr:

Stock now replenished am I hope to test at least 3 times this evening, once more in the morning before work.

Largest issue with pool at this time remains the baqua goo. The goo is now almost the consistency of fine silt. Vacuuming this stuff is becoming almost futile as the filter will not effectively catch the goo anymore. I hate to vacuum straight to waste (as that would waste some serious amounts of water).

I have a dolphin cleaning system that has worked fairly well. However, I have NOT placed the dolphin in the pool during this conversion. Is it safe to run a dolphin cleaner while transitioning to the bleach method?

I think the dolphin would do a better job of catching the small goo particles but I don't want to risk a high dollar machine in water that may not be friendly for the cleaner. I'll have to recount my receipts but I believe I am up to 42+ gallons of bleach by now.