Quote Originally Posted by mccato

So I'll use enough bleach to reach 25ppm for my weekly shock, and I'll keep it between 8 and 15 daily, right? This is as long as my CYA is sky high? (BTW, I tested it with some strips and it shows between 50 and 100 - can I believe the ALEX system?) This is the only pool store with a computerized testing system in my area.

The most reliable way to get good test results is to get a good test kit and do it yourself. You will always test the same way - can't always be sure about the pool store employees

With the chlorine levels this high, does this mean no swimming until it can be at 3 ppm?

You can swim at the maintenance level of chlorine - for your CYA would be between 8ppm-15ppm. CYA binds and stabilizes chlorine and it also makes it less effective at high levels - which is why it's okay to swim.

Do I need to worry about the copper level? Well if you have shocked your pool and the whole thing hasn't turned into green kool-aid - I would say that copper is nothing to worry about

Thanks again for all your help!
Go to the sister site http://www.poolsolutions.com and read all the articles - It will help you understand the process a little better.

BTW - all you really need is bleach, borax, baking soda - and MAYBE some polyquat - forget all that Bioguard stuff.