| Reading for | Specific Reading Goal | Reason Why |
| pH | 7.5 | pH and Alkalinity and CYA affect one another. pH is buffered from TA, CYA |
| Total Alkalinity (TA) | 90 ppm | Alkalinity is normally the buffer against pH decrease. If pH drifts up, lower goal to 80 ppm. If pH drifts down, raise goal to 100 ppm. |
| Cyanuric Acid (CYA) | 50 ppm | Not higher than 50 ppm. CYA is also a buffer against pH decrease. CYA protects chlorine against degradation from sunlight and controls the amount of chlorine available for disinfection and oxidation. |
| Calcium Hardness | 250 ppm vinyl pools 350 ppm concrete | NEVER below 150 ppm. Maximum can be greater if source water has high calcium and magnesium minerals. Lower pH and TA to lower calcium. |
