I am testing for alkalinity in my pool, the reading comes up yellow, what does that mean? too high or too low?

Question

I am testing for alkalinity in my pool, the reading comes up yellow, what does that mean? too high or too low?

Answer 1

Usually alkalinity is tested by titrating - that is you fill a test tube with a sample plus a colored indicator, and count drops of sulfuric acid to make the sample go from colored to clear.  For the test kit I use, if I over-titrate, that is I go past clear (turns yellow), I have added too much acid to the solution.  If you're using a similar testing procedire, and your first drop turns it yellow, I'm guessing that means that your alkalinity is way too low (possibly < 10 ppm).

Answer 2

If you can add some info that would be great. What kind of test are you using- strips or liquid drops? What brand of test kit? Let me know and I will let you know what it means.