I was serious in my question though (I know sometimes it's hard to tell when I'm serious). Can't you test Alkalinity with a swimming pool test kit? I know you can test PH - although frankly being marginally color blind those kits don't help me much. But is there a test kit for alkalinity? (hopefully that will get you back on track VA).

JHAP
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"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives."
...Hedley Lamarr (that's Hedley not Hedy)