How to Convert a Baquacil Pool to Chlorine

Converting your swimming pool from the Baquacil sanitizing system to a chlorine sanitizing system is possible but will take a week to ten days depending on the level of Baquacil still present in the pool. Ideally, the conversion should take place in the spring when the sanitizer level is at its lowest point. Converting at the beginning of the pool season when the water is still too cool to swim in eliminates any downtime, so your family will not miss any swim days. The pool normally needs cleaning at this time of the year anyway, so complete the process before cleaning.

Things You'll Need

• New filtering medium (sand, DE or cartridge depending on your filter)
• PH and alkalinity (to adjust water balance)
• Chlorine tablets
• Chlorine shock
• Test strips for both chlorine and Baquacil
• Swimming pool vacuum.

Instructions

1. Check the filter pressure level and allow the pump and filter to run continuously throughout this process as long as the pressure gauge reads normal. Monitoring the pressure level is very important. The pressure will increase as the chemicals interact and you may need to backwash in order to reduce the pressure level.

2. Test the Baquacil sanitizer level in the water. The lower the level, the easier the process, because once the Baquacil interacts with the chlorine you will be adding, the chemical reaction will produce a gelatinous substance.

3. Adjust the water PH level to 7.0. This is necessary in order to provide the chlorine with the proper environment for it to flourish in. PH that is either too high or too low will adversely affect its performance.

4. Dissolve chlorine shock (3 pounds per 10,000 gallons of water) in a bucket of pool water and pour it around the inner perimeter of the pool. Depending on how much Baquacil remains, you may see the water turn green or brownish red. If you notice a gel-like substance forming, vacuum the waste and avoid running the substance through your filter.

5. Set filter system to recirculate and allow it to run for two hours. Then, turn off pump for 12 to 24 hours and allow particles to settle in the pool.

6. Vacuum the pool using slow, smooth motions so that you do not stir up any particles. Have the filter set to waste while vacuuming and watch that the water level does not drop too quickly. It may be necessary to add water to the pool after vacuuming is completed.

7. Place three 3" chlorine pucks in the skimmer basket. Repeat steps 3 through 6 every day until water is clear. This may take only 2 or 3 days if you started with a zero Baquacil level.

8. Clean the pool and change filter medium (sand, DE, cartridge). Do not use a cleaner for the sand; it needs to be changed, as there may be residual Baquacil in the sand.

9. Rebalance water, adjusting the PH up to between 7.2 to 7.6, the alkalinity level to 80 or 90 and chlorine levels to 2.0 or 3.0 ppm. Leave 1 or 2 chlorine pucks as needed in the skimmer to maintain the level of chlorine needed to sanitize pool.

Tips & Warnings

• It is very important to keep a watchful eye on the pump's pressure level. Do not allow an increase in pressure of more than 8 psi to 10 psi to occur without taking steps to reduce the pressure level.