Dman1

Thanks guys. This info is greatly appreciated.

The test strips I use are three way and measure Free Chlorine, PH, and TA (http://www.qualityinflatables.com/59635.html). I will look into a better test kit (any suggestions? I seen one at Walmart that was a liquid solution type test kit...would this work, or should I go to a pool store?). Would it be reasonable to use that type of kit, say, weekly, and use the strips on a daily basis (just to make sure the pool chemistry is not too far out of whack? Also, back to my original question, is it reasonable to check the strips after 15 seconds, or after they stop changing color? I figure I might as well finish using the strips that came with the pool.

Another newbie question regarding these test strips, I have a quick question regarding the reading of them. The instructions state to dip the strip in the pool and quickly remove it, hold it level for 15 seconds, and compare the readings with the chart on the bottle. The problem is, after 15 seconds, the colors are still changing (in fact, at that point, they barely even changed color from the dry strips they once were). Is the 15 seconds BS, and should you let the colors change until they appear to stop changing? That's how I have always read it so far, and changed my pool chemistry based on that. Most of my numbers are good, except the PH is around 7.8 to 7.9, and I was looking to lower it, but I wanted to make sure I was reading the strips correctly. I have a SWG system, if that makes any difference. Should I look at getting a more extensive test kit rather than stick with the strips? I am just using the strips now since they came with the pool.