chlorine level keeps rising

[mommak]

Thanks BigDave,
You said "Just be sure FC stays above the minimum throughout the day". What do you mean by this? Since my FC is 11.5, isn't that above the minimum already?

[BigDave]

You are well above for now, but sunlight will bring it down soon enough. When we say minimum we mean minimum as per the Best Guess Chart:http://pool9.net/cl-cya/.
Add enough chlorine (dichlor for now, bleach later) at night to end up at or above the Best Guess Chart minimum the next night before adding more. I know is sounds non-specific, it's supposed to. We try to teach pool owners to find what thier pool needs and respond to it: measure - adjust - measure - adjust ...

BTW - chlorine is high but I think you'd be just fine swimming now - maybe wear old swim suits as high chlorine can bleach out swim gear.

[mommak]

I have not added dichlor for the last few nights, but I will begin adding it again to get the CYA up. I added 1 cup of borax last night to raise the pH level up, since yesterday the pH level was 7.2

[BigDave]

Great!

[mommak]

So after returning from our camping trip, the FC was 18.0 ppm, pH was 7.0, and CYA was less than 40. I added 1 cup of dichlor Thursday afternoon,just prior to leaving.
Our solar cover has been on continuously. I just took it off,in hopes that the sun will help to lower the FC.
I read about sodium thiosulfate, my children and I want to be able to swim today. What can I do so we can swim safely?

I did add 1 cup of borax last night to raise the pH level.

[BigDave]

I'd swim in a shock level pool - with an old bathing suit. Shower (or hose) the pool water off as soon as you get out.

[tnalaskan]

I'm with Big Dave. I would definately be swimming tonight. Chlorine level of 11.5 is swimmable. Especially when it is nice and hot out

[mommak]

Well we went for it and swam in the pool. Actually, I mainly cleaned the pool while my children swam and played. It felt great to finally be able to enjoy our pool.