When is it unsafe to swim?

[kwickimom]

I was wondering when it is unsafe to swim. Is there a point of too much chlorine or too high ph? I now have memorized all the recommend ranges for everything.....if your pool's levels hit above the max in any category (ph,fc,ta,cya etc) is it unsafe then? and why? I will have a 3 yr old and 3 month old in the pool this year so I am just concerned about water quality and what can happen. From what I gather you need to wait like an hour after adding any chemicals...is that correct?

If your water is a little cloudy is it safe to swim? Sorry thats like a million questions, but I have read a lot of posts and can't seem to figure it all out. thanks so much inadvance. This forum rocks!! I would have given up and sold my pool by now if I didn't find this place!

[Watermom]

Ph should be between 7.2-7.8 to be comfortable and not do damage to your pool. Usually, 7.4-7.6 is best. When speaking about chlorine above the max - well it depends on how high above max you are talking, so I can't really comment on that.

As far as whether or not it is safe to swim in cloudy water - that depends on why it is cloudy. If it is because your calcium is a little high, that is one thing, but if it is because you are at the beginning of an algae bloom , then that is something else entirely. You have to trust your readings. Typically cloudy water with algae starting to grow will cause you to have a CC reading.

[kwickimom]

I think I need to clarify.....I know what the ranges should be and my pool is doing fine so far, I just would like to know if it is ever unsafe (like bacteria wise or chemical wise) to get in your pool. I have swam in peoples pools that are cloudy and I am wondering if like say Ph is high can that harm you as a person? I am not worried about harming the pool, just the people in it.

[Simmons99]

I have seen a post that said you should not swim with a PH at or below 7.0 and I think I saw that someone posted that its okay to swim in clorine levels below 15 ppm.

Personally, I wouldn't swim in a green/yellow pool for several reasons. As far as cloudy - I think it would depend on why - was it because there were 5 kids in the pool? I would wait for it to clear - because it's probably due to excess biological waste in the pool.

[MaryLee]

Personally, I wouldn't swim in a green/yellow pool for several reasons. As far as cloudy - I think it would depend on why - was it because there were 5 kids in the pool? I would wait for it to clear - because it's probably due to excess biological waste in the pool.

I also wouldn't swim in a green/yellow pool because those colors mean the pool is not sanitary for one reason or another. If a pool has algae, then who knows what else in there is being allowed to grow....

[kwickimom]

thanks for the info....

I am still learning and I understand the chemistry of chlorine, but am still getting down everything else. Mainly ph and alkalinity are a mystery. If I keep reading I will figure it out someday. It is all so overwhelming and I have a small pool!!!! I kind of freaked out awhile about the whole bleach thing, because I know sometimes water is swallowed especially by the kids. But now that I understand its the same as the chlorine you by at the store I am feeling better about it.