Success with Baquacil so far

[Watermom]

A lot of people are happy with baq for the first few seasons and then they begin to have major problems which equate to major $$$. I hope you have continued success with it.

[CarlD]

There is nothing I hate worse than someone telling something I'm doing can't possibly be working when it is, or that I GOTTA switch to whatever they are selling.

Annoys the heck out of me.

If you've got Bacquacil licked and are happy with it and your pool is clean and sanitary, then don't let ANYONE tell you that you have to change. Enjoy.

But on the other hand you should know that using the methods of pool care advocated here, you won't do much work either. My fellow mods, Poconos and Watermom were over on Sunday and they can tell you that my pool is crystal clear and the water is clean. And I do VERY little work. I spend lots more time writing about pool care than I spend doing it.

But as long as you've got your pool the way you like it, go with it!

[ILHoz]

I have just made the switch from baqua to chlorine. We were very happy with Baqua for a couple of years. then we started battling white mold and spending a lot of money. From all of the information I can find white mold is enviromental which means we would continue to battle this problem spending $$$ and not being able to use our pool. We choose chlorine, If Baqua is working for you, thats great continue to use it and be happy. With Baqua we were not happy!
Leslie

[clayw1963]

I am glad that Baquacil works for you. I used it for a year with no problems.
I opened the pool this year with no problems. Then I developed an algae problem, then water mold, and then cloudy water that would not clear up.
I checked all of my levels as I was supposed to, had 2 cartridge filters, that I changed out monthly, brushed the pool every week, etc. etc. and still had problems.
I am new to the BBB method (2 weeks now), but I spend MUCH less time on the pool than I did with Baquacil. I check my ph and chlorine levels each evening, other levels once a week. Put the pool cleaner in as needed and the water has never been so clear. Someone came over this past Sunday and said "oh your pool just sparkles".....the first time I've ever heard that comment about my pool!

[ccr-n-ia]

I DO have an interesting issue though, that I've not been able to figure out - but I assume these symptoms are related.

1. We have a strange metallic / somewhat bitter / slightly nasty taste in the water.
2. All of our eyes are irritated after 15-30 minutes of swimming in the water (blood-shot eyes, stinging sensation).
3. Our throats and sinuses are irritated if we accidentally inhale choke on the water. Also, I smell the strange smell /taste of the water in my nose and sinuses for several hours after I swim. Last night, I got water up my nose; the burning in my throat and sinuses was so unpleasant, I almost quit right then and there, except that I was too miserable to do anything for several minutes.

I’ve had our local pool dealer test the water repeatedly; all chemical balances are comfortably within range.

I’m pondering if any of the following have any bearing:

- it has been hot, and our pool is heating up to 90 degrees

- I saw a small comment somewhere that suggested that biguanide chemicals build up over time and creates a bad taste (recommending that the pool be 40-60% drained each year – I drain mine 20-25% each year)

- The water is pretty foamy for 10-15 seconds when we jump in and make a big splash


If it were just one of us, I would assume some special sensitivity. But all of my family agree on the problems – but I get pushback saying that chlorine has a smell and eye irritation also. But I thought that Baquacil wasn’t supposed to have these problems!

I'm wondering where can I go to have my water tested to figure out what the problem is? The pool dealer that we are working with has a good local reputation, but they only take it to the first level of testing (standard stuff).

I'm also curious if the taste / irritated eyes are an early indicator of other issues soon to appear that so many others here have testified to - I'm almost convinced to convert to chlorine just because of the certainty of so many others who have done this and are now so glad. You all make it sound so easy... and I thought Baquacil was the easiest.

[Watermom]

I'm almost convinced to convert to chlorine just because of the certainty of so many others who have done this and are now so glad. You all make it sound so easy...

Not to mention that using bleach instead of baq is SO much cheaper!

[duraleigh]

Yeah, somethings up with your water. You should not have that unpleasant experience. Go to another pool store that will give you (not test strips) good test results for FC, CC, pH, Alk. Those results posted here may give a clue. Keep reading the "baq" forum.....lot's of really happy (and richer) people there that have swithched to chlorine.

[CarlD]

If you are having a burning sensation, bad taste, foaming, skin irritation, BAD throat irritation, then you are NOT having success with Bacquacil.

Something is very, VERY wrong with your water and I would strongly advise you not to swim in your pool until it is cleared up.

Your pH may be badly out of balance, or something is not being metabolized.

I just got chills thinking about you swimming in it.

Yeah, chlorine is easy. Once you have everything balanced, if you dump a gallon, more or less, depending on your pool, every other day.

When/if we go away, I find the EASIEST instructions I can give to anyone watching my pool is to dump in 1 gallon of bleach into the skimmer every other day. I come home to a perfect pool everytime, even after two weeks. How much easier can maintenance be than that?

(I DO tell them to turn on the hose if the water level is low, too. And I have an automatic overflow to keep it from getting too full.)

[Tom C]

I think the ordor/taste/faom issue is likely due to too much algecide. I notice the same things right after adding the algecides (standard and performance). Since the agecide is added on a weekly basis, the levels may be building up too high.

I noticed that when I kept my H2O2 levels high I could not maintain a good sanatizer level without great expense. I believe the H2O2 decomposes the sanatizer.

[ShelleyAnn]

When I was a surfer (long time ago) the saying went "end your day on a great wave". I can't think of anything better than ending your season on 2 or 3 great weeks of crystal clear, non-irritating, non-foaming, pure water for the trade off of 3-5 days of conversion.

Shelley