Thank you Charlie for putting my mind at rest. So the ALK level is nothing to be alarmed about at this point ? That's the one reading that has me concerned. Its hard for me having an arsenal of chemicals at my disposal and not using them! I am trying to be more disciplined with the pool than the hottub. On a side note, I have been keeping the pool covered with a solar blanket in an attempt to be able to swim by Memorial day, I've read that it can affect chlorine levels but I don't know about anything else. The pool water looks crisp and clean still at this point.