I'm no SWG expert but after reading hundreds of posts it is clear that SWGs require higher-than-normal CYA levels--80ppm being about the recommended level. If you have the SWG's manual, read it--it should tell you.

If your pool is uncovered, that would explain the rise in pH--you've somehow been aerating it and that raises pH.

A CC of .5 may actually be only .2--did you re-do the test using 25ml of water instead of 10ml? In that case, each drop of the re-agent only represents .2ppm, not .5ppm. Clearly, .2 is STILL only an indication of the maximum the CC can be.

You MAY want to briefly raise your SWG level to kill any CC you have--0 is the best number. Or you can shock the pool with bleach or liquid chlorine. Also, you should also find that with your SWG you can keep your FC at a lower level than the "Best Guess" table indicates--because the chlorine levels are far most constant, plus the salinity is a growth inhibiter for algae.

I hope this helps a little.