Daily chlorine test question

[hen]

I know you are supposed to test chlorine and pH daily, but are you supposed to use the little blue basic (OT) test (from the TF-100) that you use to test pH? Or are you supposed to use the chlorine drop test (FAS/DPD)?

If you are daily supposed to use the FAS/DPD, should you check the CC daily too?

My target FC is 7, so I cant really tell with the OT test exactly what it is. But I dont know if 5 is good enough every day with that test, and FAS/DPD it and bump it up only once per week, or if I should check and keep it up every day (which would mean the FAS/DPD everyday).

Thanks, I want to do this right!

 

[257WbyMag]

The OTO test is a good way to tell whether you have chlorine in the pool or not. It does not differentiate between FC and CC though. Only the FAS-DPD can do that. Best to use the FAS-DPD for daily testing, especially during times of heavy use.

 

[jcowart]

Also the more you learn your pools personality the better off you will become. You might notice that your ph is stable. I only test for ph maybe once a week unless I run the fountain. Then I know I can run the fountain 8hr/2 days and I will need to check it. You will also learn your chlorine usage. You might learn to test every other day with FAS/DPD and double check with the OTO. It really does get easy and you will start to see a trend.

 

[RobbieH]

It really does get easy and you will start to see a trend.

This is VERY TRUE!

 

[hen]

Thanks, I just kind of panicked because it had been holding pretty good, so I just did the OTO test one day and it was a 5, and the next day I did the more advanced one, and my FC had dramatically dropped to 1.5. I guess sunshine (we have had a lot of clouds/rain) and kids playing in the pool (thunder=no swimming) made it drop so. After all the work cleaning it up, I just want to stay on top of it. Thanks for your help!