Whats the difference between “total” chlorine and “free” chlorine?
Total chlorine is just as it sounds, the total amount of chlorine in the water. However when chlorine binds up with contaminants it forms a compound called chloramines that are no longer effective sanitizers and need to be removed through shocking. The chlorine that is still good to keep working is the free chlorine. If directions call for maintaining a 1ppm chlorine level, always make sure that matches your free chlorine reading.
