Low chlorine level in pool.....safe to swim??

Question

We have an Intex Quick-set pool that holds like 2800 gallons of water. I have chlorinated and shocked but cannot get my chlorine levels up. My ph and alkalinity test good (7.5 and 120) but my chlorine level is showing at 0. Everytime I do get a chlorine reading, it tells me it is low and to add shock. Whenever I add the shock, my chlorine level goes back to 0. My kids desperately want to swim tonight, is it safe to go in, then add more chlorine tonight??

Answer 1

The BIG Q: yes it's safe.

This is the time of year for this. I had the same problem a few weeks ago. Sucks up chlorine like nothing. Does the water look a little cloudy?

Get some stabilizer (cyanuric acid) at your pool supply store and follow the directions. It's also helpful to use the solar pool cover when not in use; chlorine will evaporate much faster in an open pool than when it's covered, especially in the summer. I can usually go two or three days without adding chlorine when it's covered, needs a gallon a day when open.

Last, don't use powdered chlorine, you're really wasting money even though liquid chlorine appears to be more expensive.

Answer 2

yes its safe to swim, the chlorine just keeps ur pool from turning green.

Answer 3

ya, it is safe to swim in.  we have a low chlorine level in my pool as well.

Answer 4

Yes, it should be safe to swim in. If you test your water within a couple hours of shocking then chances are the high chlorine level is bleaching out the test showing no chlorine. Most test kits on the market only test up to 5ppm. Just an FYI your TA is on the high side of normal. Normal TA is 80-120ppm so keep an eye on it so it doesnt get any higher. pH is great. Definitely get the cyanuric acid in. You can sometimes find it at home depot or lowes which is much cheaper. For 2800 gallons you will need 1lb.