Skimming the water
LoadingSkimming the water
LoadingSix numbers describe a healthy pool. Here they are with their target ranges — and a live checker that tells you what to do about any reading that's off.
The reference ranges below are what we balance to on our own routes. Type your test readings into the “Your reading” column to see where each one stands.
| Parameter | Ideal range | Your reading | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free chlorine | 2–4 ppm | — | |
| pH Salt pools drift high constantly; expect regular acid additions. | 7.4–7.6 | — | |
| Total alkalinity | 80–120 ppm | — | |
| Cyanuric acid (stabilizer) | 30–50 ppm | — | |
| Calcium hardness | 200–400 ppm | — | |
| Salt (salt pools only) | 2700–3400 ppm | — |
Chlorine and pH: weekly, minimum — twice weekly in summer or with heavy swimming. Alkalinity: every couple of weeks. CYA, calcium, and salt: monthly or after major water changes. In Florida, also re-test chlorine and pH after any big rainstorm; a serious downpour measurably dilutes your water.
Everyone tests chlorine and pH. Almost nobody tests cyanuric acid — which is unfortunate, because runaway CYA is the root cause behind most chronically green Florida pools (the full story). Salt-pool owners also chronically skip independent salt testingand trust the panel display, which reports the machine's opinion rather than the water's reality.
Print this page and stick it in the pool closet — or let us do the testing weekly and text you the readings instead. Both are valid lifestyles; we're just partial to the second one.
Every weekly visit includes a full test and on-the-spot balancing — with the readings logged where you can see them.