Test Strips

• The key to measuring your chemicals is to acquire a water testing kit that can measure the key chemical levels in your pool such as chlorine, alkalinity, pH and water hardness. An easier solution to water testing kits are test strips. You dip the strips into the water for a few seconds and read the active chemical levels 15 seconds later. Each chemical has an color-coded testing strip area with a corresponding chart on the bottle that helps determine levels.
  
  

Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness

• Test the water for the alkalinity level first, followed by calcium hardness. The filter should be running when you first start the pool up and whenever you add chemicals. You will need to purchase alkalinity increase and alkalinity decrease chemicals to adjust as necessary. You will occasionally have to elevate calcium hardness as well so it is a good idea to pick up calcium hardness chemicals.Use the test strips to regulate these levels first. Add the appropriate chemicals according to the instructions on the specific chemical label.
  
  

pH

• You should test the pH after eight hours of running the filter for the first time and after the alkalinity and calcium hardness has been adjusted. The normal reading for pH, as indicated on test strips as well, is somewhere between 7.4 and 7.6. Pool owners should also invest in small amounts of pH up and pH down chemicals. Add the pH up chemicals if the pH reading is below the normal levels. Follow the instructions for adding these chemical according to your specific pool size.
  
  

Shock and Chlorine

• Add 1 lb. of granular shock for every 10,000 gallons of pool water directly to the surface of the water and run for 24 hours. If you are using liquid shock add it directly to the surface of the water. Granulated shock needs to be dissolved in a bucket of water first and then poured around the edges of the pool water. After 24 hours the filter should clear the water significantly. The water is ready for swimming when the chlorine levels read 3.0 ppm on the testing strips. From that point forward slowly add chlorine to the water to keep levels stabilized. The amount of chlorine added will depend on the size of your pool.