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Water Testing
Consistent, frequent water testing and appropriate action is the key to a well-maintained pool. In order to determine your pool water treatment needs, you need to test your water for its present levels. Test and adjust as necessary to keep your pool water within the ranges listed below:
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Test
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Frequency
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Pool Type
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Ideal Range
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pH
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Twice weekly
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All pool types
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7.2 7.6
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Total Alkalinity
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Monthly
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Plaster
Gunite
Concrete
Vinyl
Fiberglass, Painted
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80 125 ppm
80 125 ppm
80 125 ppm
125 150 ppm
125 150 ppm
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Calcium Hardness
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2-3 times per season
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Plaster
Gunite
Concrete
Vinyl
Fiberglass, Painted
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200 250 ppm
200 250 ppm
200 250 ppm
175 225 ppm
175 225 ppm
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Free Available Chlorine
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Twice weekly
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All pool types
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1.0 3.0 ppm
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Stabilizer
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2-3 times per season
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All Pool Types
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At least 30 ppm
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There are two types of at-home testing methods including test kits that use liquid reagents and/or tablets and test strips. Always read test instructions carefully and follow them exactly for the most accurate results. Keeping a log of all test results and product applications can be helpful for problem-solving and anticipating maintenance needs.
For a more accurate test reading, always obtain your water test sample from "elbow" depth in the pool, away from water return lines. Sunlight and environmental conditions affect surface water samples and water samples taken close to the water returns. Testing these water samples can provide inaccurate test results.
Replace your test reagents or test strips with fresh product at the beginning of each pool season. Older reagents and test strips can provide inaccurate readings due to conditions such as age, heat, high humidity, etc.
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