How can you test for ammonia?
I am also having a problem getting a free chlorine reading on my test strips and the pool store says everything looks fine but they're using strips, too. Was finally convinced to buy a test kit and I just ordered the Taylor K-2006 as recommended on this site. While awaiting delivery of the test kit, I'm looking for advice on whether to do anything or just wait. My pool's been open for 6 days and finally looks clean and clear after having been cloudy for several days. Since it looks good, I don't want to lose ground. I have a Frog in-line feeder that's been set on high for the past 3 days and still no chlorine reading. I should add that I've backwashed my DE filter 3x since opening and it's ready for it again but my husband wants to open it up and clean the filter and won't be home for a few nights. He thinks I can wait until the weekend to get the filter cleaned but I feel like a backwashing might help my problem (pressure needle show we are up 9 psi from where we started). I've also added about 18 gallons of shock over the course of 6 days (maybe should have done more at once instead of spreading out) and I used 3 lbs. Multi Magic Shock they sold me. Originally, my TC reading was showing purple on the strip while FC did not show anything but after the Multi Magic Shock, the TC and FC look equal. Any ideas to alleviate my stress?