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How To Test Your Pool Water
Written By: poolgeek.com
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In order to select the right chemicals for your pool, you must either use a test kit or take a water sample to your local pool professional for analysis. This will give you an accurate measurement of your pools pH, alkalinity, free chlorine, free bromine and calcium hardness that determine the overall health of your pool. With these results, you can purchase the necessary chemicals to correct any imbalances, giving you the clean, healthy pool you deserve.
Test strips are very easy to use. Each test strip has several areas impregnated with chemicals that react with the presence of any aspect of water chemistry the kit is designed for, giving you an accurate measurement. To test, simply dip the testing strip into the pool water and immediately pull it out. Most test kits tell you not to shake off the excess water. Hold the test strip horizontally and compare it to the color chart provided with the kit, usually on the bottle itself. This will give you fast, accurate results that will allow you to select the right chemicals to bring your pool back into balance.
Liquid testing kits is another fast, effective way to test your pool water chemistry. Instead of a strip you dip into the water and read, these kits require you take a small water sample and fill a supplied graduated cylinder. Then you simply add a few liquid testing reagents and wait for the color changes to take place. Match the color of the water to the supplied color chart, allowing you to purchase the right chemicals to bring your pool back into balance.
Choosing which type of testing kit to use is largely personal preference, as they are both highly accurate and take about the same amount of time to get results. However, if you are or always wanted to be a chemist, then liquid testing kits are probably right up your alley.
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by Jerry,
Joppa, MD
on 7/7/2009
Title:
pH Balancing
My test kit shows that my pH is above 7.8. The kit suggests that I add acid to reduce my pH. What does this mean? Or do i just add pH decreaser?
Answers| by Matthew, Brighton, MI on 7/8/2009 | | Title: Re: pH balancing | | “Jerry, acid is the common term for pH decreaser. Hope this helps!” | |
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by Connie,
Atwater, Ohio
on 8/1/2009
Title:
High pH, low chlorine
I have spent $$$$$ on my pool this year trying to clear it up. I am fighting a high pH and Alkanity and cannot get my chlorine level up no matter what I try. I have added acid to reduce pH, I shock it to get chlorine up but nothing I try will keep it balanced. FYI I have a well water pool so I use stain magnet and sequo-sel, all GLB products which I love.
Please help!!!! Oh I am also battling algae with Algymcin 600 to with no success.
Answers| by Aurelie Martins, Brighton, MI on 8/3/2009 | | Title: Re: High pH, low chlorine | | “Hi Connie! It sounds like you’re having a hard time keeping your water balanced. The first and most important things you should take care of are your chlorine levels and algae problems. I would recommend treating your pool with increasing doses of shock. Start with 2 lbs. per 10,000 gallons. If you have no chlorine count after 48 hours, add 4 lbs. per 10,000 gallons, if after 48 hours still no chlorine count, add 6lbs., etc. You keep going until your chlorine is stabilized. Once you solve the chlorine balance problem, the rest can be taken care of. ” | |
 by Wendy, Speedwell, TN on 8/22/2009 | | Title: I have the same problem and at my wits end | | “Connie,
I have fought this problem since I opened the pool. I have not had a chance to even enjoy it. I spent a fortune on The Frog Sustem which I thought would solve all my problems. I have shocked this pool until I might as well just dump it down the toilet. I don't have much problem with algea, it is just my pH is sky high, I don't think it could get any higher. I have used so much pH decreaser to no avail. I dump in a ton of shock and you know the expense of that. Within 24 hours, my chemical kit shows zero chlorine and zero bromine. Someone told me I had hard water. So I was putting water hardner in for a couple of months. This pool company didn't make sence to me. If I have hard water, why should I put in a ton of Calcium. To me Calcium is a hardner. Why make a pool harder. I did not have this problem last year. They say if your water is hard, then nothing will disolve. I have a problem with particles clumping on the bottom of the pool. I don't have hard water. I don't have problems in the house with soap or anything. I just think I am going in too many directions and I can't find out what to do. Maybe someone out there can help us both. Can anyone please help.” | |
| by Aurelie Martins, Brighton, MI on 8/24/2009 | | Title: RE: I have the same problem and at my wits end | | “Hi Wendy. Since you seem to be having multiple problems with your pool, we'll only be able to properly diagnose the issue with your water levels. If you have water test strips, if you could test your water and give us the following: pH, total alkalinity, total water hardness, total chlorine/free chlorine (or bromine), and cyanuric acid. Once we have all those, we'll be able to walk you through a solution. If you don't have water testing strips, we highly recommend the AquaChek Select Test Strips or the AquaChek 7 Way Test Strips. ” | |
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by Nickie,
St. Louis, MO
on 8/9/2009
Title:
Help
Why is my pool water murky?
Answers| by Aurelie Martins, Brighton, MI on 8/10/2009 | | Title: RE: Help | | “Hello Nickie! There could be several reasons why your pool water is murky. It could be that your water is not properly balanced. This makes the chlorine react slowly and not control algae and bacteria as well, causing cloudy water. You should begin by testing your pool water and adjusting your chemical levels as needed. You should shock your pool up to 10 PPM and test for chlorine after. Your chlorine levels should be stabilized at 3 PPM for several days. You need to run your filter for 24 hours until your pool water is clear again. Don’t use your pool until the chlorine level returns to normal. You may also want to inspect your pump and filter to make sure that they are working properly. If shocking your pool still does not bring the chlorine levels to stay at 3 PPM and your water stays cloudy, you may want to consider using a water clarifier. ” | |
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