Alan

WOW! I didn't mean to cause such a controversy. Granted I'm a Newbie and just trying to understand basic water pool maintenance. Waterbear, sorry you had to get into such an arguement with such a "know it all". Thankfully my comrehensive skills are good enough to see he is low class and thats OK, Live and let live is my motto. Its clear to me as a newbie waterbear and chemgeek have the experience and know how and I thank you for your help.

What in the world would cause our FC to go "UP" after 4 days after shock? We have not yet put in Chlorine puck since were waiting for normal levels. I've seen it rise on two seperate occasions. I've been told a drop test kit is better but we have the strips and the new accuchek tru test electronic meter. Both give me the same readings. We were running a FC of 10, for days , seen it drop to 7.7, 7.4 then go back up to unregistable(on electronic meter) and 10 on strips. The FC will not drop to safe zone even after 3 swimmers braved the high levels with only mild dry skin. Is high TA and Ph to blame? Were currently at FC10, Ph 7.7 which was 8.4 before I lowered with Ph reducer. TA also dropped from 240 to 221. Were beginners and everything I've read is its hard to keep FC levels in the pool not the opposite. Its been getting plenty of sun also. Water is a little cloudy and very slight green .

Thanks for help. Total hardness 500, Total chlorine is 5, Free chlorine is 5, Ph is 7.4, Total alkalinity is 180, cyanuric acid is 30-50. Were improving I guess, FC was at 10 for 3 days.

Our pool has been running a high free chlorine level for 3 days now at about 10. Ph is at 7.4, TA is 180. We've had 3 days of sunshine, shouldn't Free Chlorine be dropping by now? I have a little girl chomping at the bit to go swimming. Is my best option to wait it out? Any advice is appreciated were new pool owners.