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SWIMMING POOLS
ALTERNATIVE SANITIZERS - BIGUANIDE
Biguanide-Resistant Water Mold (9/2/98)
Hydrogen Peroxide (8/18/98)
Rash From Pool Using Biguanide (6/23/98)
Biguanide Resistant Pink Algae (5/28/98)
White, Biguanide Resistant Algae (5/28/98)
Does Biguanide Work As Good As Chlorine? (5/19/98)
Switching From Baquacil To Chlorine (4/17/98)
Biguanide-Resistant Water Mold (9/2/98)
Q:
I have a 22,500 gal. inground vinyl pool, DE filter, Hayward super pump (170 gph), time clock pump switch for consistent filtration of at least 12+ hours per day. I test the water regularly. I use the Baquacil system of water treatment. I have owned and operated swimming pools for the past 15 years. I have been on the Baquacil system for the past 9 years.
I have had excellent results with the system until two seasons ago when I first developed trouble with persistent water cloudiness. I struggled around with it for the first season working with my chemical supplier and his working with the Baquacil factory people. The second season they finally concluded that it was mustard algae and water mold. Have you ever heard of water mold? I use the Baquacil system regularly. I spoke to the manufacturer's direct help line people, they advised that they have no solution and that I switch to chlorine. My children are sensitive to chlorine.
I finally started the first steps of the conversion to chlorine as per the recommendations of my pool chemical supplier by the addition of a start-up dose of "Oxyburn" shock and "Iron out" within 12 hours the water cleared to a sparkle that I hadn't seen in three seasons! I then thought that I may have "killed" whatever it was that was causing the problems so I tried to return to the Baquacil system.
All was fine for a month or so, but now the water mold is back stronger than ever! I dismantled the filter and cleaned it, tried the double dose of Baquacil's Baqushock (27% hydrogen peroxide), and added the start up dose of Oxyburn on 8-28-98 @ 4:00 PM. I thought I might be back in good shape this morning (based on my last experience) but I find that the water has floating conglomerations of a white fuzzy water mold floating all over and clinging to the edges of the skimmer inlet. The water is so cloudy that I can just barely make out the second step in on the stairs.
Is there anything at all that you know about water mold or something that can kill this stuff? I really hate to go to chlorine, but at this point I am strongly considering it.
T.J. - Saratoga Springs, NY
A:
One of the major complaints about biguanide sanitizers is that, over time, they can become progressively less effective against certain microorganisms. "Water mold" seems to be at the top of the list.
Trying to sanitize the pool and the equipment will not work. The mold will survive somewhere and will inevitably be reintroduced back into the pool. I doubt that what you are trying to do will ever work. Microorganisms just don't cooperate that way.
I suggest that you go back to chlorine. I don't know if you could or should ever return to biguanide.
Sorry that it's not the news that you want.
Sincerely,
Alan
Hydrogen Peroxide (8/18/98)
Q:
After reading some of your sanitizer comparisons, you stated that Hydrogen peroxide is a dangerous chemical. Please explain this statement. I currently use baquacil and my pool is used mostly by children.
W.M.
A:
Yes, hydrogen peroxide, used in conjunction with biguanide, is a dangerous chemical. This is not the drug store variety of peroxide, this is much more potent.
The danger is in the handling and applying of the peroxide to the pool water. There is no danger to the bather, when the product is used as directed.
I'm sorry that that wasn't made more apparent. Enjoy the season.
Sincerely,
Alan
Rash From Pool Using Biguanide (6/23/98)
Q:
Three of us recently went swimming in a pool, which has Baquacil instead of chlorine. Soon after we were through swimming, we all broke out in a itchy rash all over our bodies. It took us several days for it to go away. After the rash disappeared for about a week, we all went swimming again, and got the same rash. We now have come to the conclusion that it is the baquacil in the pool that is causing these rashes. My question is: Have there been any side-effects caused by baquacil reported? Should they switch back to chlorine?
C.P. - Henderson, TX
A:
The likelihood is that the pool was not being maintained properly.
If one person developed a rash it might be said that that individual was allergic to something in the water. When it happens to three out of three on two occasions, it more likely to be caused by poorly maintained water.
The pool owners should have the water analyzed by a local pool professional to determine any corrective actions required.
The rash could have been caused by a bacterial infection, water drastically out of balance or other possibilities.
Many people have written complaining about or seeking to convert from biguanide, but this is the first that I recall on this subject.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
Biguanide Resistant Pink Algae (5/28/98)
Q:
After using Baquacil for 8 years in our above ground pool, we began to loose clarity and developed pink algae. Nothing we did would clear up the water except to shock the pool continuously. This was extremely expensive.
We have decided to switch, probably to chlorine. Several people in this area have found chlorine the only solution to the pink algae problem. Even though it was not necessary to drain the pool to convert, we did. Eight years of the thought of it being basically the same water was unsettling to me.
Now the pool is being refilled and we know that some conversion process will still be necessary.
Baquacil was definitely easy to use and not much time was needed for maintenance. Can you compare the two for me, especially maintenance time. And do you know of any problems of Chlorine with Asthma patients?
K.B. - Boyertown, PA
A:
It seems probable that the "pink algae" became resistant to biguanide. This buildup of resistance seems to be a recurring problem.
Maintaining a proper level of Free Chlorine will destroy any remaining traces of biguanide.
Biguanide does offer convenience and freedom from chlorine. But it does have drawbacks. It has a tendency to cause foaming, is more expensive to use, requires the use of a dangerous chemical (hydrogen peroxide) for shocking and can interfere with D.E. Filters and it can foster growth of resistant strains.
I'll have to pass on the asthma question. I know of no definitive link. Keeping the combined chlorine levels low should be a plus.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
White, Biguanide Resistant Algae (5/28/98)
Q:
HELP!!! We don't seem to be getting the right advice from our local dealer. We have continually (each season last three years) had a problem when we open our pool. We find a white floating algae that looks like tissue paper, thus making our water is very cloudy.
When our water is tested, they tell us our Baquacil level is high (61ppm - normal is 50) and although we had put in 1 gal. of shock 2 days earlier they tell us no shock appears in the test. (10,000 gal pool) They told us to put in calcium (4 lbs in thirds every 6 hours), alkalinity (5 lbs in thirds every 6 hours), then another gal. of shock. The problem is worse! They've given us a "floc" product, but tell us this should be the ultimate last thing we do. (we've done it before -- it really just doesn't seem to get it all out) We purchased a stronger algaecide Bac 795 instead of the check 50.
I have thought about switching to chlorine, but have heard so many stories about the upkeep and constant "green" water. We're just not sure what to do at this point, and would value any advice or input you could offer us.
Dee - Broadway, NJ
A:
What you are describing could be a micro-organism blooming across the surface. If that is the case, it would appear that the organism is resistant to biguanide. The other chemicals that you added would not necessarily have a positive effect on this problem.
The hydrogen peroxide, while a potent shock, is not intended to function as an algaecide.
If you want to switch to chlorine, need to do the following. Add 4 gallons of liquid chlorine or 4 pounds of SUN Brite per 10,000 gallons of pool water. Run filter and test water after a few hours. Add additional shock, until you get a reading of FREE CHLORINE of at least 3 PPM that lasts overnight. At this point the water should have cleared up. Maintain as you would any chlorine pool.
Green water is never inevitable. Proper water chemistry and reasonable common sense care will make for an enjoyable season.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
Does Biguanide Work As Good As Chlorine? (5/19/98)
Q:
I have heard mixed reviews of Baquacil vs Chlorine. I like the idea that Baquacil takes less work, but does it work as good as Chlorine? We are new pool owners and Chlorine seams difficult to work with. If not Baquacil, is there another out there that works without all the chemistry involved?
D.W. - Imperial, MO
A:
I've always preferred chlorine.
With chlorine there are automatic feeders available and if you maintain a proper level, there is a minimum of difficulty. With chlorine you always have the option of using the best available products to solve specific problems.
Biguanide does offer freedom from chlorine, but you must use concentrated Hydrogen Peroxide as a shock, and that's a dangerous chemical. Biguanide also has a tendency to cause foaming.
There are many good products that are useful to cure specific problems that are not compatible with biguanide. Biguanide will also cost much more that chlorine over the course of a season.
There are other alternatives, but ultimately all require the use of a shock treatment. That being the case, why not just use chlorine.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
Switching From Baquacil To Chlorine (4/17/98)
Q:
I would like to know how to switch from Baquacil to chlorine in an above ground pool. Last year I started a new pool with Baquacil. During the last part of the season my pool developed pink algae. The dealer that started me using Baquacil could not help me clear up the pink algae. So this year I want to start using chlorine to get rid of the pink algae (I closed my pool with the algae still in it). The pool dealer told me that there's not a good way to switch back unless you drain the pool. I opened my pool yesterday and the Baquacil level is 28 ppm. I was also told that if I put chlorine in with a level Of Baquacil, the water will turn brown. Please help!!
T.M. - Charleston, WV
A:
An official method for converting from Baquacil to chlorine requires the addition of 4-gallons of liquid chlorine or Non-Chlorine shock such as SUN -Brite for each 10,000 gallons of pool water. The water may turn brown as the chlorine begins to decompose the Baquacil. Test the water for FREE CHLORINE after a few hours and add additional shock if the chlorine level is low and the water is not clear.
Once the water clears you should maintain in the usual manner for a chlorine pool.
Try using SUN Floc & Clear to help clear up the brown water.
I hope that I have been helpful.
Sincerely,
Alan |
