Biguanide pool chemicals provide consistent and long-lasting protection against bacteria and other contaminants. One application of biguanide pool chemicals controls bacteria and contaminants for up to 14 days. Biguanide sanitizer is more stable than chlorine and won’t burn off in the hot summer sun. The real advantage is that this chemical system is gentle on your eyes, hair and skin which suits persons with allergies or skin conditions. The chemicals keep the pool water sparkling clear and are also gentle on the pool surfaces and equipment.
Chlorine sanitizer is a strong chemical that may trigger allergies and skin conditions. It is also much harsher on pool surfaces and equipment. Chlorine sanitizer is affected by UV light and needs to be stabilized to help prevent it from burning off in the sun. Chlorine levels can widely fluctuate and needs to be constantly added during the day to provide a satisfactory level of sanitation.
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What are Biguanide Pool Chemicals?
Biguanide (polyhexamethylene biguanide PHMB) is a chlorine-free and bromine-free alternative sanitizing product that can be used in swimming pools. It was originally developed for use as a surgical disinfectant but has been developed for the pool industry. The most common brand name products are Baquacil and SoftSwim.
This pool chemistry system works by combining with contaminants in the water to produce insoluble particles that are trapped by the filter. It requires hydrogen peroxide to be added to the pool to work.
Some pool owners love using Baquacil, which is the most common product on the market that contains biguanide. Many have reported that there pool water is clean, clear and perfect for swimming. It seems to be used more for fresh water above ground pools than other types of pools.
The Baquacil brand comes with test strips and a whole range of compatible pool chemicals. You need to use their range of compatible products otherwise you would be dangerously mixing pool chemicals together.
The Advantages of Biguanide Pool Chemicals
- Biguanide pool chemicals are not affected by changes in pH
- This chemical is not degraded by UV sunlight so you don’t need pool stabilizer.
- It’s not degraded by higher water temperatures
- chemically stable in water
- Baquacil does not oxidize metals in the pool water which helps to reduce stains developing in the pool
- This chemical does not produce chloramines which smell bad and cause irritation to some people.
- There are no chemical odors
- It’s much gentler on skin, hair and eyes
- It’s better for persons with allergies or skin conditions.
The Disadvantages of Biguanide Pool Chemicals
- Biguanide is more expensive than chlorine
- It’s not effective as chlorine or bromine in the same quantity. As a result you need to use more Biguanide in the pool.
- It can cause cloudy pool water because the chemical clumps together the contaminants and quickly clogs the filter.
- Baquacil requires hydrogen peroxide which is a bleach
- This chemical requires a higher concentration than chlorine to sanitize water. The normal Baquacil level is 40 to 50 ppm for it to work effectively.
- It requires a special test kit or strips
- Baquacil clogs the filter quickly & requires more filter cleaning
- Must use algaecide made for Baquacil sanitizer. The Baquacil product does not control algae so you need to use an algaecide.
- Biguanide pool chemicals is not an oxidizer so it cannot oxidize human body waste like sweat, oil, urine or blood. This chemical is only designed to kill bacteria and algae. You will need to add a separate oxidizer chemical to deal with human body waste.
How to Convert from Chlorine to Biguanide
Note: If you have a smaller above ground pool it’s usually easier to empty the pool and refill to change from one sanitizer to another.
1. Stop Using Chlorine Chemicals
Stop adding chlorine to the pool and wait for the chlorine level to drop to zero. This will take a few days so keep testing every day until the free chlorine has dissipated completely.
2. Clean the Cartridge Filter
Your existing cartridge filter will have a chlorine residue which is very difficult to remove. Use the Baquacil Universal Filer Cleaner to clean the cartridge for conversion to Baquacil. I recommend to install a new filter cartridge when changing chemical sanitizers to guarantee there won’t be any cross-contamination.
If you have a sand filter I recommend to clean the tank and replace the sand.
3. Add Metal Control
Add a bottle of Biguanide Metal Control to the pool to neutralize any metal ions in the water. Please follow the instructions on the bottle. Treat all plaster pools with Biguanide Metal Control regardless of whether or not there is metal ions in the pool water.
4. Add Biguanide Sanitizer
Add enough Biguanide sanitizer to reach the 50ppm concentration required to sanitize the pool water. Read the instructions on the container and remember to add slowly and retest until you reach the desired level.
5. Add Biguanide Pool Chemical Oxidizer
You must add an oxidizer for the Biguanide system to work. Read the instructions on the container to add the correct amount of oxidizer for the volume of your pool.
Add the starting dose of oxidizer in front of the skimmer box.
6. Add CDX
You must add CDX chemical to work with the sanitizer and oxidizer to kill water mould and slime. Add the starting dose of CDX directly into the skimmer box.
7. Perform Routine Maintenance
As with any swimming pool you need to follow your routine pool maintenance schedule to keep your pool sparkling clean and sanitized.
How to Convert from Biguanide to Chlorine
Note: If you have a smaller above ground pool it’s usually easier to empty the pool and refill to change from one sanitizer to another.
1. Stop Using Biguanide Pool Chemicals
Stop adding biguanide to the pool and wait for the sanitizer level to drop to zero. This will take a few days so keep testing every day until the biguanide sanitizer has completely dissipated.
Add a non-biguanide algaecide to the water to prevent algae growing while converting to chlorine.
2. Clean the Pool Filter
Your existing cartridge filter will have a biguanide residue which is very difficult to remove. Use the Baquacil Universal Filer Cleaner to clean the cartridge for conversion to chlorine. I recommend to install a new filter cartridge when changing chemical sanitizers to guarantee there won’t be any cross-contamination.
If you have a sand filter I recommend to clean the tank and replace the sand.
3. Balance the Pool Chemistry
Test the pool water and make any adjustments to the water chemistry as necessary.
Please read our article on How to Balance Swimming Pool Water
4. Shock the Pool with Non-Chlorine Based Shock
Add a non-chlorine shock to the pool and run the filter for 24 hours. Follow the instructions on the packet.
5. Add Chlorine
Slowly over the next few days begin to add chlorine to the pool. Keep testing the level of free chlorine. The level of chlorine needs to reach 1ppm for effective sanitation to commence.
Add one chlorine tablet into the skimmer and wait for it to dissolve.
Add two chlorine tablets to the skimmer box and dissolve.
Keep adding two chlorine tablets to the skimmer box at a time until the chlorine needs to reach 1ppm.
When you have reached 1ppm test and balance the water as necessary.
Start your normal pool maintenance routine.
6. Perform Routine Maintenance
As with any swimming pool you need to follow your routine pool maintenance schedule to keep your pool sparkling clean and sanitized.
Conclusion
Biguanide is a pool chemistry & sanitizer system that has been in production for many years and used by thousands of pool owners.
If your chlorine pool is causing skin irritation or other adverse reactions try converting to Biguanide . Use Biguanide pool chemicals in a swimming pool, spa or hot tub.
I only recommend using Biguanide pool chemicals with fresh water above ground pools with a smaller volume of water because it requires more chemicals than chlorine-based sanitation and can be expensive.
If Biguanide pool chemicals doesn’t work out you can easily convert to chlorine.