Reviewed April 2007

Pool Tips^™
Converting from Baquacil^® to Chlorine or Bromine

You must read all of the Liability Agreement before taking any action, especially all safety and liability warnings.

Remember to keep your filter running while adding any chemicals and for at least four to six hours after, in order to circulate the chemicals.

1. If possible, allow Baquacil Sanitizer level to naturally drop to 30 ppm or partially drain and refill to dilute the Baquacil Sanitizer concentration in the pool. This will quicken the conversion time.

2. Adjust the pH to 6.8 – 7.0. In highly buffered pools, try to get the pH as close to 7.0 as possible, avoiding excessive acid addition. Try using pH increaser or decreaser at the rate of one pound per 10,000 gallons, with six hours between additions, until you get there.

3. Add _______ pounds of Target^™ Shock & Swim (at 4 pounds per 10,000 gallons) to neutralize the Baquacil Sanitizer. Water may become a clear green.

4. Filter continuously for 24 – 48 hours.

5. Test the Baquacil Sanitizer level. Continue to repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 until Baquacil Sanitizer level is at or below 10 ppm. Once this level has been achieved, continue the conversion procedure.

6. Adjust pH to 7.2 – 7.8. Either use Baquacil or Chlorine compatible pH adjusters, at one pound per 10,000 gallons, with six hours between additions until you get there.

7. Shock-chlorinate daily (preferably in the evening) with ________ gallons of Target^™ Super Shock^™ (at 1 gallon per 15,000 gallons).
   1. Because of a likely high chlorine demand, shocking may be required for 7 – 10 days in some cases to restore a blue color. A high Baquacil Oxidizer level in the water will result in a higher chlorine demand.

   2. If a significant amount of precipitate forms, brush the pool regularly and filter continuously to remove. Do not allow the precipitate to settle. Extended contact with the pool surface may result in staining.

   3. Obtain a DPD type test kit for chlorine or bromine and test daily for chlorine and bromine. You are waiting for two things to happen: The water stops turning green right after you shock it and you can actually hold a free chlorine reading at the end of the day (before you shock it again) of at least 1.0 ppm. Do not use an OTO test kit, as it may give you false readings due to interference from residual Baquacil shock.

8. At that point you are probably done. Look for a combined chlorine reading of less than 0.2 ppm while you have a free chlorine reading of 1.0 ppm or higher. Once a free available chlorine residual has been established with a combined chlorine level of less than 0.2 ppm, you are ready to begin a routine chlorination schedule.

9. Begin a new routine chlorine-based or bromine-based 3 step system. Pick a brand and follow it for the rest of the season.

10. Test for water balance (we can do that) in that brand’s program. Fix any balance problems, add chlorine stabilizer (you will probably need it) and add one bottle of Target Super Mineral Control or Bioguard Metal Magnet Plus. The print-out from that test will give directions and order of chemical additions.

Please let us help you, anytime.

IMPORTANT

We write Pool Tips^™ for the exclusive use of our own local customers. They are meant as a summary of general information, to be discussed in our store, with our staff, to determine which items are best for specific pools. Pool Tips^™ are a trademark of Gull Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Our suggestions assume that you have given us a proper description of your pool's size, history and symptoms. Sometimes we can figure it out, sometimes we can't. Your doctor has years more training, far better diagnostic tools, and makes way more money—and sometimes he or she gets it wrong, too.

1. Read all labels carefully, and only use chemicals exactly as described on the label. Never mix chemicals together outside of the pool. Some of them can cause a fire or explosion.
2. Do Not follow any advice or suggestions here without coming into the store, customizing them to your specifics, and receiving them in writing.
3. Do Not print these out or reproduce for any purpose whatever. They are all copyrighted, and we take our copyrights very seriously.
4. Don't Blame Us for anything. It's free advice, and worth the price paid. We're trying to help, but pools are complex, and chemicals and electricity are dangerous.
5. Our Best Advice: Go find a local pool dealer who knows what they are doing, become a steady customer, and give them a chance to learn about you and your pool. Pick a brand, pick a store, and stay with them.

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