Before You Begin
It's time to use that pool test kit to check levels and water quality. Don't panic if you didn't take chemistry in school - the kit is fairly easy to use if you just follow the directions.This particular kit, the 4-in-1 by Guardex, tests your pool water's pH, total chlorine, total bromine, acid demand, and total alkalinity.
Other types of kits include test strips or provide an analysis through the manufacturer's website or by taking the kit to your pool supply store.
Be aware that the bottle numbers, vial sizes, and chemicals in this tutorial may be unique to this particular brand of test kit. Follow the instructions for your kit.
Next: Just Dip It
Just Dip it
Dip the plastic tester into your pool, making sure you draw water from a depth of at least 18 inches for an accurate "catch."
Next: Fill to "Fill".
Fill to "Fill"
Fill the small vial to the "fill" line with a sample of the pool water.
Next: Testing Free Chlorine and Chlorine Residual
Testing Free Chlorine and Chlorine Residual
Add five drops of solution No. 1, which, in this kit, is ortho-Tolidin, a chlorine indicator.
Next: Cap the Vials
Cap the Vials
Place caps on vials and slowly invert or turn upside-down several times.
Next: Color Comparison
Color Comparison
Wait a few seconds to compare the color in the vial with the color standards indicated on the plastic tester to determine the free chlorine level. After that, wait a couple minutes and compare again to determine the chlorine residual level.
Next: Testing the Pool's pH Levels
Testing the Pool's pH Levels
Fill the large tube to the top solid line with pool water from a depth of 18 inches. Add one drop of solution No. 4 and mix by gently swirling. This solution is sodium thiosulfate, a chlorine neutralizer. Add five drops of Solution 2, a phenol red indicator, and mix by gently swirling. Compare the color with the pH color standards on the plastic tester. Warning: don’t perform this test if the chlorine residual is above 3.0.
Acid Demand Test
Acid Demand Test
Using a sample from the pH test, add the acid demand titrant. Count each drop -- making sure to swirl between drops – until the color matches that of the 7.4 indicator. Refer to the acid dosage chart for the correct amount of acid to add to your pool. Warning: don’t perform this test if the pH is above 7.5 and the chlorine residual is above 3.0.
Next: Testing for Total Alkalinity
Fill the large tube to the lower dash line. Add one drop of No. 4 and swirl. Next, add one drop of solution No. 5B, a total alkalinity indicator, and swirl. Add No. 3 (count and write down or remember each drop and swirl) until the color changes to clear, light yellow, or light green. Finally, multiply the number of drops of solution No. 3 you used by 10 to determine the total alkalinity. Warning: don't perform this test if the chlorine residual is above 3.0.
Next: Store High and Dry
After testing, rinse your plastic tester in a sink (never in the pool), dry, pack up the kit and put it in a cool, dry place, up high away from little hands. Some experts suggest using your test kit weekly during the swimming season.
Don’t buy more pool chemicals than you’ll use in a season, because they can lose effectiveness over time.
It's time to use that pool test kit to check levels and water quality. Don't panic if you didn't take chemistry in school - the kit is fairly easy to use if you just follow the directions.This particular kit, the 4-in-1 by Guardex, tests your pool water's pH, total chlorine, total bromine, acid demand, and total alkalinity.
Other types of kits include test strips or provide an analysis through the manufacturer's website or by taking the kit to your pool supply store.
Be aware that the bottle numbers, vial sizes, and chemicals in this tutorial may be unique to this particular brand of test kit. Follow the instructions for your kit.
Next: Just Dip It
Just Dip it
Dip the plastic tester into your pool, making sure you draw water from a depth of at least 18 inches for an accurate "catch."
Next: Fill to "Fill".
Fill to "Fill"
Fill the small vial to the "fill" line with a sample of the pool water.
Next: Testing Free Chlorine and Chlorine Residual
Testing Free Chlorine and Chlorine Residual
Add five drops of solution No. 1, which, in this kit, is ortho-Tolidin, a chlorine indicator.
Next: Cap the Vials
Cap the Vials
Place caps on vials and slowly invert or turn upside-down several times.
Next: Color Comparison
Color Comparison
Wait a few seconds to compare the color in the vial with the color standards indicated on the plastic tester to determine the free chlorine level. After that, wait a couple minutes and compare again to determine the chlorine residual level.
Next: Testing the Pool's pH Levels
Testing the Pool's pH Levels
Fill the large tube to the top solid line with pool water from a depth of 18 inches. Add one drop of solution No. 4 and mix by gently swirling. This solution is sodium thiosulfate, a chlorine neutralizer. Add five drops of Solution 2, a phenol red indicator, and mix by gently swirling. Compare the color with the pH color standards on the plastic tester. Warning: don’t perform this test if the chlorine residual is above 3.0.
Acid Demand Test
Acid Demand Test
Using a sample from the pH test, add the acid demand titrant. Count each drop -- making sure to swirl between drops – until the color matches that of the 7.4 indicator. Refer to the acid dosage chart for the correct amount of acid to add to your pool. Warning: don’t perform this test if the pH is above 7.5 and the chlorine residual is above 3.0.
Next: Testing for Total Alkalinity
Fill the large tube to the lower dash line. Add one drop of No. 4 and swirl. Next, add one drop of solution No. 5B, a total alkalinity indicator, and swirl. Add No. 3 (count and write down or remember each drop and swirl) until the color changes to clear, light yellow, or light green. Finally, multiply the number of drops of solution No. 3 you used by 10 to determine the total alkalinity. Warning: don't perform this test if the chlorine residual is above 3.0.
Next: Store High and Dry
After testing, rinse your plastic tester in a sink (never in the pool), dry, pack up the kit and put it in a cool, dry place, up high away from little hands. Some experts suggest using your test kit weekly during the swimming season.
Don’t buy more pool chemicals than you’ll use in a season, because they can lose effectiveness over time.