Baquacil Spa Filter Cleaning Instructions

Special care must be taken when cleaning filter cartridges used in a swimming pool or spa using Baquacil as a sanitizer. Because of the way Baquacil works, the filter element must be cleaned more thoroughly and more frequently than in a chlorine system. If extreme care is not taken to completely remove all residue from the filter media a buildup will occur. This buildup will significantly shorten the life of the filter element.

Unlike chlorine which oxidizes the bacteria in the water, polyhexamethylene biguinaide (PHMB) based sanitzers destroy the bacteria cells. PHMB, the active ingredient in Baquacil, locates and binds to bacterial surfaces. It then attacks and overcomes the outer bacterial cell wall. Once thsi wall has been comprimised, the cytoplasmic membrane, the inner cell membrane is destroyed. This destruction allows the cell contents to dispurse into their surrounds where they are likely broken down into their elemental parts by the non-chlorine oxidizer Baqua Shock.

In addition, Baquacil is a mild coagulant which combines bacteria cells as well as other small particles contributed to the environment, bathers, etc. into particles large enough to be trapped by the filter. In comparison with all other trapped contaminants in a typical pool or spa the amount of bacteria cells that are deposited on the filter is minimal. The resulting deposit is a gray sticky film which can only be removed with Baqua Clean. If the TSP or any TSP type cleaner is used prior to stripping the film, the cleaner and the gray film will combine to form a gum like substance. Once this occurs, the substance cannot be removed from the media and any filter cartridge must be replaced.