Is an elevated target FC/CYA ratio a bad idea?

[rdshackleford]

Would it be a bad idea (for me, at least) to target a higher FC/CYA ratio than is shown in the chart? My simple thinking is that if I target 15%, it would allow me an extra few days if I get too busy to test or care for the pool chems. Are there any downsides to doing this?

-R

 

[chem geek]

The main downsides are that you use more chlorine since more breaks down from sunlight when the FC is higher (at the same CYA level) and the rate of chlorine oxidation of swimsuits, skin, hair, pool covers, etc. will be proportionally higher though such rate is quite low to begin with due to CYA significantly moderating chlorine's strength.