The Attendant isn’t just a pool automation system — it’s your pool’s personal water chemist. With the right components, it can monitor and automatically balance your water’s pH and sanitizer levels, keeping it clean, safe, and easy to maintain.
This guide explains exactly what you need to set up chemistry control, whether you’re just managing basic water balance or diving into advanced chlorine monitoring.
Standard Chemistry Setup (pH and ORP Control)
If your goal is to automate acid dosing and monitor sanitizer levels using an ORP sensor (which is suitable for most residential pools), you’ll need the following:
✅ 1. The Attendant or The Attendant Mini
This is the main automation controller.
✅ 2. Chemistry Board
This board is required to connect the pH and ORP probes to The Attendant.
You have two options:
- ATT-CHEM – for one set of probes (used to monitor a single pool or spa)
- ATT-DUALCHEM – for two sets of probes (used when monitoring two separate pools or spas that do not share water)
To make ordering easier, choose an Attendant that already includes the Chemistry Board by adding “-CHEM” or “-DUALCHEM” to the model number.
Example: ATT-8-CHEM or ATT-8-DUALCHEM
✅ 3. pH and ORP Probes
These probes measure your pool’s water chemistry while the filter pump is running.
- ATT-CPK – includes both probes in a single kit
✅ 4. Flow Cell
This 2” inline chamber houses the pH and ORP probes and includes a 1/2″ NPT port for chemical injection.
- ATT-FLOW-CELL
Advanced Chemistry Setup (Free and Total Chlorine Monitoring)
For commercial pools or high-precision chlorine monitoring, The Attendant supports direct Free and Total Chlorine probes.
Most users can monitor sanitizer levels just fine using the standard ORP probe. These advanced probes are optional and typically used in more complex setups.
✅ 1. Free and Total Chlorine Probes
Connect directly to The Attendant using the RS-485 port.
- ATT-FREECHLOR-PROBE
- ATT-TOTALCHLOR-PROBE
✅ 2. Specialized Flow Cells
These probes require very precise flow conditions and cannot be installed in the standard Flow Cell.
- ATT-CL-FLOW-CELL (1 Per Probe required)
- ATT-CHLOR-FLOW-REG – Regulates water flow to each probe
✅ Quick Checklist: Standard Chemistry Setup
- The Attendant or The Attendant Mini
- Chemistry Board (ATT-CHEM or ATT-DUALCHEM)
- pH and ORP Probes (ATT-CPK)
- Flow Cell (ATT-FLOW-CELL)
✅ Quick Checklist: Advanced Chemistry Setup
- The Attendant or The Attendant Mini
- Free Chlorine Probe (ATT-FREECHLOR-PROBE)
- Total Chlorine Probe (ATT-TOTALCHLOR-PROBE)
- Regulated Flow Cell (ATT-CL-FLOW-CELL) – 1 per probe
- Flow Regulator (ATT-CHLOR-FLOW-REG)
Can I Use Both Setups Together?
Yes! You can combine Standard and Advanced Chemistry on the same Attendant system if needed. Just make sure all required parts are included.
Ready to Automate Chemical Dosing Too?
Monitoring your pool chemistry is a great first step — but The Attendant can go even further by automatically adjusting your water balance. When your pH or sanitizer levels drift out of range, The Attendant can activate dosing equipment to bring them back to ideal levels — hands-free, hassle-free.
Types of Dosing Equipment The Attendant Supports
The Attendant works with a wide variety of chemical delivery systems. Here’s a breakdown of what’s compatible:
✅ Peristaltic Pumps
- Most common for acid or liquid chlorine
- Ideal for precise dosing in residential and small commercial pools
- Controlled via The Attendant’s high voltage relays
✅ Diaphragm Pumps
- High-pressure dosing for commercial environments
- Suitable for muriatic acid or sodium hypochlorite
- Controlled via The Attendant’s high voltage relays
✅ CO₂ Injection Systems
- Used to lower pH as an alternative to acid
- Often found in commercial or indoor pool settings
- The Attendant controls CO₂ solenoids based on pH readings
✅ Erosion Feeders (Tablet Chlorinators)
- Use trichlor or cal hypo tablets
- Inline or offline designs
- Controlled by enabling solenoids or actuated valves via relay
- Best used with ORP monitoring for safe dosing intervals
✅ Saltwater Chlorine Generators (SWCGs)
- The Attendant can control many salt systems two ways:
- Via RS-485 communication – full smart control and feedback (model-dependent)
- Via high-voltage relay – basic on/off control (for systems without smart interfaces)
- Note: All SWCGs must have their manufacturer-supplied power center.
Salt cells do not plug directly into The Attendant.
Control Methods Built Into The Attendant
- Sensor-based dosing – reacts in real time to pH, ORP, or Chlorine readings
- Timed dosing – schedule exact runtimes for feeders
- Volume dosing – dosing based on exact amounts
- Flow safety interlock – prevents feeding chemicals unless water is flowing
Important Reminders:
Flow switches are highly recommended to prevent accidental chemical feed without circulation.
The Attendant does not power dosing pumps directly — it sends a signal (low-voltage or relay) to control them.
Need Help Setting It Up?
We’ve got a full guide for wiring, programming, and safety practices when connecting feeders to The Attendant.
👉 Click here to view the Chemistry Feeder Integration article
[Click HERE to go back to the table of contents for Chemistry]