Pool Reagents

Pool reagents are the chemicals used in pool test kits to indicate the various levels of the pool water contents.

To get the most accurate readings from your pool reagents, be aware that they do have expiration dates.  It is recommended that pool reagents be reordered at the start of each pool season.  Pool reagents also work best with specific quantities of water, so the directions on each bottle or package of reagent should be read carefully to avoid mistakes and inaccurate readings.  Reagents come in either liquid or tablet form.  If using liquid reagents, never interchange the caps from one liquid reagent to another.  When the water test is completed, the tested water containing the reagents should be dumped outside of the pool.  Never dump reagents and testing water back into the swimming pool.  Especially be careful not to get the orthotolidine (OTO) reagent into the pool or exposed to people or animals, as it is highly poisonous.  If OTO comes into contact with other cells in the test kit, it will cause the test to give false readings.  OTO is used to test for total chlorine, and will turn shades of yellow or orange depending on the amount of total chlorine.