Here's the deal. We just had our pool installed (specifics are in my signature). I've been testing the water almost daily (only skipped a day or two) trying to get everything balanced. I pre-ordered Ben's test kit, but in the mean time I am using the test kit that the contractor gave us with the pool. It tests chlorine/bromine (.5-5), pH (6.8-8.2), acid demand, and total alkalinity. I put 9 pounds of CYA in the pool a couple of weeks ago and don't have a way to test to see what the level is yet. I just discovered (after closer examination of the label) that the sticks they gave me in my "start up kit" are tri-chlor...I know I should be surprised at that. I've only used 4 sticks so far (they are only about halfway disolved after a week), so hopefully that won't screw up my CYA too much. According to the Bleach Calculator I got from whoever it is on this site (thank you!), after adding 9 pounds of CYA I should be somewhere between 40 -50 ppm after starting from zero for my size pool. I'm going to take a sample down to the local Leslie's store this week and see what they say the level is since they say "free water testing" in their add in the phone book. I would take the sample to the contractor that built the pool, but they're 30 miles away. Anyway, back on topic...I've been using baking soda to raise the total alkalinity...adding 4 pounds at a time and waiting a day or two to add the next box. It's starting to get difficult for me to tell what the actual alk reading is. When I add and swirl the 3rd set of drops after about 3 drops (30 ppm) the sample will turn from green to red for a split second during the swirling then turns back to green. (I swirl the test vial about 5 or 6 complete circles.) The next drop (40 ppm) turns red for a split second during the swirling and then turns clear. The next drop (50 ppm) will finally turn red and stay red. Which reading is the one I use? 30, 40 or 50? The instructions that came with the kit say "After each drop, count and swirth to mix until color changes from green to red."

I just tested this morning, and my Cl was around 1-2 and the pH was 7.2-7.5. (It's so darn hard to tell with this test vial...I hate it. I hope Ben's is easier to read.)