How to Test Your Pool

Your step by step guide & pool colour chart

Testing your pool

Learn how to test your pool at your home. It is so simple that anyone can do it. Simply take a strip and dip it in your pool water for 5 seconds. Take it out and wait 10-15 seconds until the colours appear on the strip.

  1. Compare to the Poolshop Online Colour Chart listed below. This will give you the reference levels of each chemical.
  2. Note down the levels and then enter them into our very own Online Pool Assistant which will calculate what your pool needs.
  3. Add these to the online cart and Poolshop Online will deliver them to your pool.
  4. Once you do our test let us sort out the rest.

Please note:

  • Store strips out of direct sunlight
  • Ensure strips are kept in a sealed bag void of moisture

Pool Test Strip Colour Chart

Free Chlorine Bromine (ppm)

0
(VERY LOW)

0.5/1
(LOW)

1/2.0
(POOL OK)

3/6.6
(POOL/SPA OK)

5/11
(SPA OK)

10/22
(VERY HIGH)

pH

6.8
(VERY LOW)

7.2
(LOW)

7.4
(OK)

7.6
(OK)

8.0
(HIGH)

8.4
(VERY HIGH)

Total Alkalinity (ppm)

0
(VERY LOW)

40
(LOW)

80
(OK)

120
(OK)

180
(HIGH)

240
(VERY HIGH)

Cyanuric Acid (ppm)

0
(LOW)

30-50
(OK)

100
(HIGH)

150
(HIGH)

240
(VERY HIGH)

Total Hardness (ppm)

0
(VERY LOW)

100
(LOW)

250
(OK)

500
(OK)

1000
(HIGH)