- for testing chemical levels

As has been mentioned, it is very important to test the water in your pool on a regular basis

Using test-strips to monitor the water is probably the easiest way of doing it, unless you suffer from colour-blindness

Like so many products these days, unreliable fakes flood the market and whilst they may appear to be an economy they are most definitely not

Incorrect reading of your pool chemistry can cost you not just in terms of wasted chemicals but can also leave the pool-water in a dangerously unhealthy condition - leaving your family open to potentially life-threatening pathogens

You rely on the results of your water-testing to determine what to add to, or subtract from, your pool  to ensure it is a clean, healthy environment for your family

Would you trust your family's' health to something bought for half-price at the corner shop? No, neither would I!

Palintest Pool Testing Strips showing Colour Chart     

Test-strips are available for the measurement of pretty much every conceivable pool-water parameter, including, Chlorine, Bromine, pH, TA, TDS, Copper (from algaecides, copper sulphate, Ionizers or multi action tablets), Zinc, Phosphates, Salt, Active Oxygen, Hydrogen Peroxide; plus many others

If you decide to go with test-strip testing make sure that the strips you use are from a reliable source, and not from a company that you, or the Pools Industry, have never heard of! 

We supply all plant and equipment featured on this website. All our work is Guaranteed; Parts and Labour

For free and unbiased advice, a site visit or no-obligation Quotation*, please make initial enquiries by email. Tell us a little about your pool problem and include a daytime phone number. Thanks, we look forward to meeting you soon

Note: - Please contact our recommended pool professionals for supply and installation of all pool-related services: - 

Andalusia and the Costa del Sol - Pool Safety Spain

Nerja area - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*We only offer Quotations: - a fixed, agreed price that cannot, and will not, be increased. We do not give 'estimates', as an estimate offers the client no guarantee of final price

Share this website with other Pool Owners and Users,  encourage them to read about Pool Safety, learn CPR and help them to save lives, time and money. Please help us to make every pool a safer place - by sharing this information we can cut the number of pool accidents and deaths.  Please also see our Facebook page

Ken Walker - MyPoolGuru©

- using technology to test the water quality

Technology moves along at a cracking pace and that's good news for pool-owners! A few years ago only a Pool Professional would be likely to have a test meter in the toolbox, because they cost a lot of money, but now inexpensive Photometric* meters are available to the backyard-pool owner

Harnessing photocopier technology, Photometric pool-testers measure the pH, Chlorine/Bromine level and this one even measures Total Alkalinity 

We have found this to be an excellent meter

AquaChek TruTest - Simple - Fast - Easy!

The new AquaChek TruTest test strip reader is the first meter of its kind - specifically developed for the pool and spa market

• Unique, quick, easy way to keep water healthy

• Results for Free Chlorine/Bromine, pH and Total Alkalinity in few easy steps

• Spend less time testing water and more time enjoying it

• Large, easy-to-read LCD screen for indoor/outdoor use

• Water resistant

• Stores the last 9 sets of results so you can see a 'history' of pH/Cl/Br and TA levels

Directions for use

• Turn the unit on by pressing the power button.  The display will read 'On'

• Press the start button and dip a test-strip into the pool at the same time

• Remove the test strip from the water immediately, then shake excess water from the pool with a simple flick of the wrist

• Place the tip of the test-strip in the back end of the meter channel

• DO NOT SLIDE THE TEST-STRIP ACROSS THE GLASS IN THE CHANNEL as this could mix the different chemistries together and you may get inaccurate results

• Lay the test-strip flat, pad side down

• Let go of the strip and wait a few seconds for the results

• The display will flash 'On' during testing

Please watch a how-to video here and another here - (both videos by Dr. H. Toowoh)

*Photometry is defined as 'The science of the measurement of light'

We supply all plant and equipment featured on this website. All our work is Guaranteed; Parts and Labour

For free and unbiased advice, a site visit or no-obligation Quotation*, please make initial enquiries by email. Tell us a little about your pool problem and include a daytime phone number. Thanks, we look forward to meeting you soon

Note: - Please contact our recommended pool professionals for supply and installation of all pool-related services: - 

Andalusia and the Costa del Sol - Pool Safety Spain

Nerja area - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*We only offer Quotations: - a fixed, agreed price that cannot, and will not, be increased. We do not give 'estimates', as an estimate offers the client no guarantee of final price

Share this website with other Pool Owners and Users,  encourage them to read about Pool Safety, learn CPR and help them to save lives, time and money. Please help us to make every pool a safer place - by sharing this information we can cut the number of pool accidents and deaths.  Please also see our Facebook page

Ken Walker - MyPoolGuru©

- are among the simplest ways to test the water quality

This type of pool-tester is also sometimes called a Dropper test-kit

Watch a video of how to use a Reagent Test-kit, presented by Ken Walker, CEO of MyPoolGuru

Step-by-step instructions for using a Reagent Test-kit

• Fill each side of the test kit with water from 30-50cm (12-15") below the surface

• Shake out excess water until the level of the water in the test kit is correct

• Add the appropriate number of drops of reagent to each side according to the colours i.e., use the red chemical (Phenol Red) on the side of the test kit with the red colours

• Note: Some reagent test-kits use tablets instead of liquids. Do not touch the tablets with your fingers and ensure that they are fully dissolved before taking a reading

• AstralPool test kits use 5 drops of reagent per side, other makes may vary so read the instructions

• Use the caps provided with the test kit to avoid contaminating the sample

• Shake the liquid and compare the resultant colour against the coloured strips included in the test-kit

• Make a note of the results and your remedial actions in your Pool Logbook

• Note: - A reagent Test-kit, like the one above, can be used to measure either Chlorine or Bromine

• pH should be between 7.2 and 7.6

• Chlorine should be between 1 and 3 ppm, (unless you have super-chlorinated)

• Reduce pH - by adding 500g of dry acid (Sodium Bisulphate) or 1 litre of Hydrochloric Acid (per 50 m³  or 13,000 US Gallons of pool water) daily until the correct level is reached

• Dissolve dry acid in water in a plastic bucket and add either chemical to the pool near the return jets with the pump running

• Raise pH - by adding 500g of Sodium Carbonate (soda ash or pH-plus powder) per 50m³ or 13,000 US Gallons of pool water daily until the correct level is reached; apply as for dry acid

• Raise Chlorine levels - by adding Tricloro tablets or pre-dissolved Trichloro granules/powder to the skimmer with the pump on

• 1 x j200g Tricloro tablet, when fully dissolved in 50 m³ (13,000 US Gals) of water at pH 7.4, will raise free Chlorine levels by 1.5 ppm

Superchlorination

• Add 2 litres of liquid Chlorine or 2 pounds of Calcium Hypochlorite (per 50m³/ 13,000 US Gals of pool water) every two weeks, at dusk, via the skimmer whilst the pump is running

• Remove the pool-cover during superchlorination and keep it off until Chlorine levels have returned to 1-3 ppm

Important Safety Warnings

• Never mix pool chemicals except by adding them to the pool water

• Keep chemicals away from each other, out of reach of animals and children

• Chlorine compounds and hydrochloric acid are potentially very dangerous

• NEVER mix them together in the dry or concentrated state; there is a risk of fire or explosion

• Wear goggles, gloves and old clothes when handling chemicals

• Wash your hands immediately after handling chemicals

• Run the pump for 4 hours after adding chemicals to allow thorough mixing

• It will be safe to swim after 30 minutes or so, depending on the amount of water that passes through the pump

• A strong flow will mix the chemicals quickly and more thoroughly

• Flow can be increased by setting the Rotary/Multi-port Valve to 'Recirculate' for a couple of hours, until the mixing is done

• Wash your hands immediately after handling pool chemicals

How may times have I mentioned about washing your hands immediately after handling pool chemicals? Lots, that's how many times

That’s because it is so important!

Every year literally thousands of people arrive at the Emergency Departments of hospitals with chemical burns, caused by rubbing chlorine residue into their eyes after handling pool chemicals

Some of these folks lose their sight permanently

Here is some good advice on what to do in the case of chemical burns from pool chemicals: -

General

Keep a note of all your maintenance, and everything else you do to your pool, in your Log Book

We supply all plant and equipment featured on this website. All our work is Guaranteed; Parts and Labour

For free and unbiased advice, a site visit or no-obligation Quotation*, please make initial enquiries by email. Tell us a little about your pool problem and include a daytime phone number. Thanks, we look forward to meeting you soon

Note: - Please contact our recommended pool professionals for supply and installation of all pool-related services: - 

Andalusia and the Costa del Sol - Pool Safety Spain

Nerja area - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*We only offer Quotations: - a fixed, agreed price that cannot, and will not, be increased. We do not give 'estimates', as an estimate offers the client no guarantee of final price

Share this website with other Pool Owners and Users,  encourage them to read about Pool Safety, learn CPR and help them to save lives, time and money. Please help us to make every pool a safer place - by sharing this information we can cut the number of pool accidents and deaths.  Please also see our Facebook page

Ken Walker - MyPoolGuru©