If you’re the type of person who avoids the pool for fear of contracting a chlorine burn, then ‘Baquacil’ may be just what you’ve been waiting for. It’s a unique, non-irritating pool cleaner that is both non-toxic and chlorine-free.
This article should serve as your brief guide to Baquacil and what it has to offer for your pool.
What is Baquacil?
Baquacil is a brand name, and it’s actually a chemical preservative-free polyhexamethylene biguanide, better known as PHMB or biguanide. It’s a non-chlorine pool sanitizer. It’s actually quite the same as hydrogen peroxide and was initially developed as a surgical disinfectant.
Baquacil is an EPA-registered, non-toxic water sanitation system that keeps your pool perfectly clean and clear, without the use of harsh chemicals!
Without the need for a filter system, it continuously prevents calcium buildup and stains on your liner. It also eliminates algae growth and kills bacteria. This is a safe pool product for everyone in the family, and it’s easy to apply.
How Does It Work?
Its primary function is to break down organic contaminants such as those left behind by swimmers. When a tiny amount of PHMB is added to water, the polymer formed attaches itself to particulates like bacteria, algae, and body oils present in a swimming pool.
As chemicals combine with organic matter, the particles become large enough to be filtered out with ordinary mechanical filtration technology.
Benefits of Biguanide
The biggest benefit of using this product over other pool products is removing dirt from surfaces inside the pool. The biguanides have the power to penetrate deep into porous materials like concrete, tile grout, and plaster walls.
As a result, they will not harm any surface material used in pools. In addition, unlike many other sanitizers, there is no risk of staining or discoloration when applying Baquacil.
There are several reasons why people prefer Baquacil over traditional pool cleaners:
No Chlorine
You don’t want to worry about having to add chlorine every time you go swimming.
Non-Irritating
Unlike most conventional pool cleaners, Baquacil doesn’t leave a residue after application. There are no unpleasant odors associated with Baquacil either.
Easy Application
Since Baquacil contains only one active ingredient, it takes less than five minutes to mix and apply. And since it’s completely odorless, you’ll never know it’s even being used.
Drawbacks of Biguanide
Like any product, some pros go along with a few cons to using this product.
“Overall we think that the majority of pool owners will find that chlorine is a better solution for them. However, there are some situations where Baquacil can make more sense to use”
Pool Care School
It’s Quite More Expensive.
Baquacil® and other biguanide-based pool chemicals are often more expensive than chlorine-based pool chemicals. Moreover, you still need an oxidizer. Also, you can only use algaecide specifically formulated for biguanide sanitizer. So you’re going to have to evaluate the costs against the advantages on this one.
It Does Not Completely Remove All Contaminants
Biguanide kills bacteria and algae. However, sadly, it doesn’t eliminate sweat, body oil, urine, and body waste. In addition, biguanide is not as effective as an oxidizer (the chemical that kills specific contaminants). You’ll need to add Baquacil® Oxidizer, but it means more cost as well as additional work in your pool maintenance.
Its Sanitizing Properties Can Deteriorate With Time
You should know that the sanitizing efficiency of the Baquacil® decreases over time with use. If you want to apply more than one application of this product in your pool, you will have to wait for a few days on each application.
It’s Not Good for All Pool Surfaces
The great thing about this product is its ability to penetrate through porous materials like concrete, tile grout, and plaster walls. However, it’s important to note that biguanides don’t clean the same way as chlorine or bromine. You won’t effectively remove dirt from vinyl liners, painted surfaces, or fiberglass because biguanide doesn’t dissolve in water.
It Can Potentially Cloud Pool Water
Keep in mind that biguanide is a pool sanitizer, not a clarifier. Biguanide is known to cause cloudy water as a side effect. Biguanide clumps together all of the micro-contaminant particles, and those clumps become lodged in a pool filter. The filter is unable to perform at its maximum efficiency or effectiveness. As a result, the water becomes murky.
It’s Not for All Pools
You should know that biguanide is very effective at helping to maintain the health of chemically activated systems like those found in concrete, tile built, and PVC pools. However, it’s not as effective at removing chemical reactants or preventing bacterial growth in saltwater pools. In addition, the sanitizer does not affect some organic chemicals such as chloramines and fuels from the bleach.
4 Steps to Use Baquacil Pool Chemical System
Baquacil Pool Chemical System is a 3-step system that must be followed accurately to guarantee that no additional problems arise in the pool.
Step 1: Buy the Baquacil Pool Chemical System Kit
The quickest method to begin this procedure is to purchase the pool chemical kit. This package contains a sanitizer, an oxidizer, test strips, a CDX product, and instructions on converting your swimming pool. You will need to purchase additional chemicals at some time, but for now, this will get you started on the process of converting your swimming pool.
Step 2: Sanitize the Pools Water
Ensure that you are using the appropriate amount of Baquacil sanitizer in your pool. The sanitizer keeps bacteria and algae out of the bay. Think of sanitizers as an alternative to chlorine.
Step 3: Add Oxidizer
To maintain the pool as clean and clear as possible, the oxidizer must work alongside the sanitizer—the oxidizer functions like a stabilizer in a chlorinated pool.
Step 4: Add CDX
Baquacil’s CDX product is a one-of-a-kind solution that assures proper oxidizer and sanitizer levels. Additionally, the CDX aids with water clarity concerns if you have difficulty maintaining the pool water clear enough for swimming.
Pool owners must realize that the Baquacil only works as a three-way system. To ensure that all pollutants are removed, and your cartridge filter continues to work properly, you must use all of the three products.
Safety Precautions
To maintain the safety and effectiveness of this product, add only the recommended amount per gallon of water.
Avoid an excessive amount of chlorine or other chemical activators such as hydrogen peroxide when mixing biguanide sanitizing agents into the pool water.
Without adult supervision, do not allow children under three years old to use chlorine products or other swimming pool chemicals, including biguanide sanitizer.
Bottom Line
In my opinion, the advantages of using this product outweigh its disadvantages. I encourage you to try Baquacil® if you are looking for a chemical-free sanitizer that will keep your pool clean and clear without unpleasant odors or irritation.
Visit our website to find great pool articles. Cleaning your swimming pool and maintaining it is easier than you think. A few helpful pool guides are listed below. Make sure your family enjoys a clean, safe swimming pool.
