Understanding your water results

Overview

You have run a test, and now the Gecko App is showing you a set of numbers. This guide explains what they mean in plain language and, more importantly, what to do about them. The good news is you do not have to memorize any of this. The app reads your results and hands you the steps. This page is simply here so it all makes sense.

Your water status, at a glance

At the top of the Water dashboard you will see one overall status:

Balanced means your water is in good shape. Enjoy your soak. Adjustments needed means a few small corrections are recommended. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about. Action required means something needs attention soon, so it is worth handling before your next soak.

This status is based on your latest test, so keeping your readings current is what keeps it accurate.

👉 See: Understand your water dashboard

What the numbers mean

Here is what each reading does and the range to aim for. Tap any parameter in the app to open its own detailed explanation.

💧 About your sanitizer: If you have a Gecko waterlab, the app measures your sanitizer as ORP (a reading of how effectively it is working, shown in mV) and keeps it around 675 mV, whether you use chlorine or bromine. You do not need to track ORP yourself. Just follow the actions the app gives you. The chlorine and bromine ranges above are what you would read on a test strip.

📋 Important: The ranges on this page are a general starting point to help you understand your readings. The target values shown are what the Gecko App works toward, tuned to your spa and the products you added, so the app is your day to day guide. Above all, always follow the recommendations of your spa manufacturer (OEM) and the guidance provided with your chemicals and equipment. If their instructions differ from what you see here or in the app, follow theirs.

The order to fix things, and why

If more than one reading is off, the sequence matters. Always work in this order:

1. Alkalinity. It acts like a shock absorber for your pH. Settle it first and everything else becomes steadier. 2. pH. With alkalinity in range, pH is much easier to bring into place and keep there. 3. Sanitizer. Once the water is balanced, your chlorine or bromine works far more effectively.

Fixing things out of order is the most common reason water will not seem to settle, so this one habit saves a lot of frustration.

Follow the app's actions

You do not have to do the math. When a reading needs attention, the app shows an action, for example "Raise your pH," along with exactly which product to use and how much, based on the chemicals you added. Complete the actions in the order above, one at a time.

👉 See: What are Actions on the dashboard

Why a reading can still look off after you act

After you add a chemical, the number will not change instantly. The water needs time to circulate and mix. Once you complete an action, the app removes that recommendation, but the displayed value stays as your last recorded test until you test again. This is normal. Let the spa run, then retest later to confirm.

👉 See: Why a water reading still appears out of range after completing an action

You are set

You can now read your water and act with confidence. Next, set up a simple weekly rhythm so your water stays clear with almost no effort.

🔗 Your weekly water care routine