Pool Operations 101
      Back to home
      1. Help Center
      2. Pool Operation 101
      3. Pool Operations 101

      Manual Testing Schedule & Chemical Guidelines

      Pools need to be manually tested on a daily basis. Here is a list of what to test and how often.

      Manual Testing Schedule- Suggested 

       

      Mon

      Tues

      Wed

      Thurs

      Fri

      Sat

      Sun

      Free Chlorine

      Total Chlorine*

      -

      -

      -

      -

      -

      -

      pH

      Alkalinity

      Calcium

      -

      -

      -

      -

      -

      -

      Cyanuric Acid*

      -

      -

      -

      -

      -

      -

      Phosphates

      -

      -

      -

      -

      -

      -

      Flow

      *total chlorine test daily for indoor applications

      *Cyanuric Acid for outdoor pools only

      Chlorine, pH, Alkalinity and Flow should be tested everyday. 

      Calcium, Cyanuric Acid, and Phosphates should be tested once a week. 

      Chemical Guidelines- Suggested

       

      MINIMUM

      IDEAL

      MAXIMUM

      Free Chlorine Pool

      1

      2.4

      5

      Free Chlorine Spa

      2

      3-5

      10

      Combined Chlorine

      0

      0

      .2

      pH

      7.2

      7.4-7.6

      7.8

      Total Alkalinity

      60

      80-100

      120

      Calcium Hardness Pool

      150

      200-400

      850

      Calcium Hardness Spa

      100

      150-200

      750

      Total Dissolved Solids

      -

      -

      1500

      Cyanuric Acid

      0

      15-20

      30

      Salt (salt systems)

      3,000

      5000

      7000

      Phosphates

      -

      <300

      500

      LSI

      0.03

      0.0

      0.03

       

      Always follow local and state health department guidelines. Chemical guidelines and testing schedule could be different depending on location.