How do I know I have a correct reading with a high chlorine level?
Buy some steam distilled* water at the grocery store. Mix your pool water with distilled water 1:2 (1/4 cup pool water + 1/2 distilled water). Test both pH and chlorine levels in the mix. Multiply your chlorine reading by 3; take the pH reading as is.

* MUST be distilled water, not spring or 'bottled' water!


+ Do NOT raise the pH above 7.0 - 7.2 till you are sure the metals are gone
+ Be SURE to add the metal magic type products mentioned earlier -- Jacks Magic Pink Stuff, if you can get it.
+ Brush (stir up!) the bottom of the pool as much as you can -- this will kill algae and lower chlorine)
+ Buy and use an overdose of polyquat (www.poolsolutions.com/gd/polyquat.html) once the chlorine level drops.
+ Tell us what you HAVE (and HAVEN'T) done, so I / we don't have to keep reminding you.