The order you balance your chemicals in is just as important as the quantities you use. For safe and accurate results, you should always test in the following order:
- Start by testing alkalinity and making adjustments as needed
- Next, test and adjust pH levels as needed
- Third, test and adjust calcium hardness as needed
After taking these three steps, you can add sanitizer, test CYA levels, measure TDS levels, and shock the pool, as described above.