Pool water testing in bright daylight
Pool water chemistry

The numbers that keep water clear.

Test first, balance next, sanitize last. Plain-English ranges and fixes — not a store aisle.

How to test your water How to shock a pool

See all parameters ↓ Water looks wrong? Symptoms →

A simple order that prevents chemical ping-pong

Fix one layer at a time. Retest before the next move.

01

Test

Know FC, pH, TA — and CYA when chlorine won’t hold.

Open guide
02

Balance

Alkalinity anchors pH; don’t chase pH alone.

Coming soon
03

Sanitize / shock

Daily residual vs one-time oxidizer.

Coming soon

Parameters & topics

Every chemistry guide on Splash101. Coming soon cards stay visible until published.

Pool water test strips over clear waterStart hereStart

How to test

What to measure and in what order.

Read guide
Sanitize & shock Coming soon

Pool shock

Spike sanitizer the right way — not random dumping.

7.4
Balance Coming soon

pH

Comfort, chlorine efficiency, and metal risk.

Balance Coming soon

Total alkalinity

The buffer that fights pH bounce.

Sanitize & shock Coming soon

Free chlorine

Your day-to-day sanitizer residual.

Stabilizer & systems Coming soon

Cyanuric acid

Stabilizer — too low burns off; too high stalls.

Stabilizer & systems Coming soon

Saltwater basics

SWG still needs free chlorine in the water.

Balance Coming soon

Calcium hardness

Soft water eats surfaces; hard water scales.

Stabilizer & systems Coming soon

Phosphates

Intro only — not a magic algae bullet.

Chemical safety first
Never mix chlorine types dry Never shock through a chlorinator skimmer Retest before you re-dose

Latest chemistry guides

Newest first. Tags show the topic family.

View all
Pool water test strips over clear waterStart hereStart

How to test

What to measure and in what order.

Read guide
Sanitize & shock Coming soon

Pool shock

Spike sanitizer the right way — not random dumping.

7.4
Balance Coming soon

pH

Comfort, chlorine efficiency, and metal risk.

Balance Coming soon

Total alkalinity

The buffer that fights pH bounce.

Sanitize & shock Coming soon

Free chlorine

Your day-to-day sanitizer residual.

Stabilizer & systems Coming soon

Cyanuric acid

Stabilizer — too low burns off; too high stalls.

View all chemistry guides

Looking for something else?

Chemistry is the numbers. If you need a different job, go there directly.