For the reord. I would love to see test readings of 1000-1500. When we use to worry about the tds measement I'm talking 5000. Read second post. New water, only chems. needed, and two bathers. Test results 2500-5000. Yes there were strips used. First thing you say. strips are no good. We always take a pool sample with us too.[ 1250-1500 range. We go to the local pool store and also up to our artic dealer results close to the same with multi. test done each time. Our tub is sitting at 5000 right now. I dare you to fine cleaner, better smelling, and easier water to care of anywhere. no foam, no scum line nothing and we use no defoamers, scumballs,etc. As far as cleaning the tub I'm not sure how everybody else does it but we first run the cleaning product[ fresh start] for 24hrs. before dumping the water, dump the water, suck out all lines, flush with clean water all jets, filters,lines, etc. which fills the foot well and dump that water, suck lines, etc again, take our chlor. shock mixed wipe down all surfaces including the bottom of the cover and refill. We have had the same trucking compant bring us our water multi. times this year including 25" of water for the pool.[ 30' round] We have discovered that we have been adding sodium bromide to the water weekly. Could we be picking up a false reading because of over high levels of this???? steve