Test strips

Test strips are fast and cheap, so they work well for a quick weekly check. Dip, wait the stated time, and match the color to the chart.

They are less exact than a drop test kit, and colors are hard to read in poor light. Old or damp strips give wrong results, so keep the tube sealed and replace it each season. If a reading looks odd, retest with a second method or send a sample for a lab water test.