| Good pool chemistry should include a good water | | | | DPD, or N,N Diethyl-1,4 Phenylenediamine Sulfate, |
| testing kit and the proper levels of: | | | | measures the free chlorine as well as pH, combined |
| 1. pool chlorine | | | | chlorine, hardness, cyanuric acid, and alkalinity. It's also |
| 2. combined chlorine (chloramines) | | | | called the "pink test system" due to the chlorine will, |
| 3. pH | | | | at first, become pink in color. You need to keep your |
| 4. total alkalinity (TA) | | | | DPD pool water testing kit fresh and away from |
| 5. calcium hardness | | | | direct light as this may skew your readings. The best |
| 6. cyanuric acid (CYA) | | | | for your money is the FAS-DPD K-2006 Reagent |
| Swimming pool chlorine is the sanitizer of the pool | | | | Test Kit. |
| and should be kept between 1.5-3.5ppm. Your pH | | | | DPD is a little more time consuming and complex due |
| should be between 7.6-7.8, not 7.2. You will use too | | | | to the proper "swirling" technique, but when properly |
| much pool acid to keep it at that level. Total pool | | | | done you'll find this system of tests is the most |
| alkalinity (TA) is between 80-100, calcium hardness | | | | accurate. |
| between 150-250, and cyanuric acid between | | | | OTO, or OrthoTOlidene is the other brand of dropper |
| 20-40ppm. | | | | pool water test kit. This pool water testing kit can |
| The maximum you should allow for TDS is 1,500ppm. | | | | test for all readings, but usually test for chlorine and |
| There is really nothing that can be done to lower | | | | pH, and is often called the Duo Test Kit. If you're |
| your TDS short of draining some or all of the pool | | | | going for a less expensive brand then this would be |
| water and starting over again. The best thing is to | | | | the pool water testing kit for you. Designed for a |
| take your water into your local pool store for a | | | | pool or spa with a smaller bather load and for the |
| proper TDS test. | | | | do-it-your-selfer, it's a complete system in a |
| There are basically two types of water testing kits: | | | | convenient package for great swimming pool care. |
| 1. Dropper Water Testing Kit | | | | The 2nd type of test kit is called Test Strips. These |
| 2. Test Strips | | | | strips allow you to simply dip the strip into the pool |
| CYA is a stabilizer for your chlorine and is used for | | | | water then compare the various squares on the strip |
| only outdoor swimming pools. A good water testing | | | | to the corresponding chart. The strips should include |
| kit will have a CYA reading. Careful reading should be | | | | the levels of chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and hardness. |
| taken for CYA as sudden drops or increases will | | | | These strips are fast and easy and eliminate the |
| cause your chlorine to lose its effectiveness. | | | | need for taking samples and counting drops. The |
| The first is a dropper kit that should include readings | | | | basic 3 and 4 square strips can measure chlorine |
| for chlorine, combined chlorine, (chloramines) pH, | | | | (sanitizer) pH, alkalinity, and hardness all at the same |
| alkalinity, and hardness. The most widely used type | | | | time. You can get these swimming pool chemistry |
| of dropper test kit is called the FAS-DPD K-2006 | | | | readings within a matter seconds. Remember to |
| Taylor Reagent. These pool water test kits | | | | follow the instructions carefully and don't take any |
| commonly use a type of "test tube" and eye | | | | shortcuts while testing your chemicals. |
| dropper application. | | | | Use your best judgment and get the best water |
| Adding the Reagents to the water produces a | | | | testing kit for your situation. Some people like the |
| change in the test water color. Then this color | | | | DPD or OTO water testing kit. Some like the Test |
| change is compared with the accompanying chart. | | | | Strips. The main issue is to test your water on a |
| Some kits may have you "count" the drops and do a | | | | regular basis, no less than once per week, maybe |
| little math to get the correct reading. The two main | | | | even twice, to get the best pool water that you |
| kinds of dropper systems are called DPD and OTO | | | | deserve. |
| pool water testing kits. | | | | |