Test your pool water precisely, no guesses

Digital pool testers show a clear number for pH, chlorine, alkalinity, stabiliser and salt. Stop comparing colours.

Shop pool testers Ideal water levels

PoolLab 2.0 PhotometerTests up to 24 water parameters Learn More

Digital readingsA number on screen, no colour matching
12-month warrantyOn Apera pH and salt testers
Reagents & sparesRefills for PoolLab, Apera and Pool eXact EZ

Pool testers

Every tester gives you a digital reading. Choose by what you need to measure.

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Most versatile

PoolLab 2.0 Photometer

Measures three parameters at once. Bluetooth and WiFi with a free app, IP68 waterproof, reagent starter kit included.

pH
Chlorine
Alkalinity
Cyanuric acid
+20 more

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Apera pH20 pH Tester

Pocket pH tester accurate to ±0.1 pH. IP67 waterproof, over 400 hours of battery, carry case and calibration buffers included.

pH
Temperature

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Apera Salt20 Salt Tester

Pocket salt tester for saltwater pools. IP67 waterproof and floats, with a 5 ppt salinity standard and carry case included.

Salt
Temperature

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Ideal pool water levels

The five readings that keep your pool safe, comfortable and kind to your equipment. Open a row for what goes wrong and how to fix it.

pH

How acidic your water is

Ideal7.2–7.6

Too low

Corrodes pool equipment and irritates swimmers.

Fix: add soda ash.

Too high

Chlorine can't disinfect your pool properly.

Fix: add diluted muriatic acid with the pump running. Spread it around the pool or pour it in front of a return jet so it disperses quickly.

Wear gloves and eye protection when handling acid.

Test pH withApera pH20 pH TesterView

In summer, aim for about 7.4. The PoolLab 2.0 also measures pH.

Chlorine

Kills bacteria and bugs in the water

Target2ppm

Too low

Bacteria and bugs can breed, making the pool unsafe to swim in.

Fix: shock the pool.

Too high

Uncomfortable for swimmers, such as burning eyes.

Fix: turn the chlorinator down.

Test chlorine withPoolLab 2.0 PhotometerView

Total alkalinity

Keeps pH stable

Ideal80–120ppm

Too low

pH bounces around and won't stay stable.

Fix: add baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).

Too high

pH becomes difficult to adjust.

Fix: add muriatic acid with the pump off. Pour it into a 1 to 1.5 metre circle in the deepest part of the pool and wait at least 20 minutes before turning the pump back on.

Wear gloves and eye protection when handling acid.

Test alkalinity withPoolLab 2.0 PhotometerView

Cyanuric acid

Stabiliser that shields chlorine from the sun

Ideal20–50ppm

Too low

UV from the sun breaks down your chlorine faster, so you use more.

Fix: add cyanuric acid (stabiliser).

Too high

It doesn't break down on its own; only fresh water brings it down.

Fix: partially drain the pool and refill with fresh water.

Test cyanuric acid withPoolLab 2.0 PhotometerView

Salt

Saltwater-chlorinated pools only

Ideal3,000–5,000ppm

Too low

Can damage your saltwater chlorinator.

Fix: add salt.

Too high

Can also damage your chlorinator.

Fix: partially drain the pool and refill with fresh water.

Test salt withApera Salt20 Salt TesterView

The right level depends on your chlorinator; many aim for about 3,500 ppm. Check its user manual.

Why go digital?

Strips and drop kits are cheap, but the result depends on your eye and your technique.

Test strips & drop kits

Match a colour by eye, or count drops of liquid reagent.

Cheap and simple to start with
Accuracy depends on how you judge colour
One drop too many or too few skews the result
Moisture, handling and expiry dates spoil strips
Liquid reagents expire quickly

Digital testers & photometers

The kind of instrument professional pool technicians use.

A clear number on a digital display
Removes the guesswork of strips and drops
Simpler and faster to use
More accurate and repeatable

Reagents & spares

Keep your tester stocked and running.

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Shop by tester: PoolLab Apera pH20 Pool eXact EZ