| I got an email the other day from a customer. "I had | | | | multiply the number of drops by a certain factor, |
| a local guy with a computer who did my water | | | | usually 10, to determine the reading, in ppm (parts |
| tests... It was great... I got a print-out report every | | | | per million). |
| week with suggestions by chemical. Worked | | | | Reagent test kits range from $5 "Duo" Test kits, |
| perfectly and my water was like glass. They are no | | | | which only test for pH and Chlorine, to the pool |
| longer in business and everywhere else uses a 19 | | | | management standard K-2005 test kit (shown), to |
| year old kid with test strips... the accuracy depending | | | | the Professional Field Lab test kit. The fancier test |
| on a) how much he had to drink last night and b) | | | | kits will have Comparator Slides, which are color |
| whether he really G.A.S. that day. Can I buy my own | | | | impregnated glass slides that won't fade or glare in |
| computer (?) for under $1K?" | | | | the sunlight. |
| My reply showed my slight distrust of the printout. | | | | Digital Test Kits |
| "Some of the software that operates these store | | | | For the ultimate in accuracy, and the testing method |
| testing 'printouts' are designed to sell more chemicals." | | | | chosen by our customer mentioned at the start of |
| I explained. Then we got into the discussion of | | | | this post, take a look at the ColorQ test kits by |
| accuracy. More than a printout (which I later had to | | | | Lamotte. ColorQ test kits eliminate the need to |
| admit was rather convenient), what was most | | | | visually determine slight color variations or use look-up |
| important for our customer was having accurate | | | | tables, thus taking the guesswork out of poolside |
| measurements of his water balance, and an easy | | | | water analysis. |
| way to know what chemicals, if any, he needs to | | | | Popular with health departments, municipal pools and |
| add to the pool. | | | | YMCA's - they give highly accurate results and are |
| Test Strips | | | | very simple to use. An internal photometer measures |
| The least accurate method of testing your pool | | | | the sample and provides the user with the next |
| water. Test strips are also the cheapest, simplest and | | | | steps, or what to add to the pool. Still no printout, |
| quickest way to test your pool water. Just dip the | | | | but you could keep a log if you wanted to. |
| strip in the pool water, swirling for about 30 seconds | | | | Another popular digital Test kit is the Scuba+ |
| and then compare the colors on the test strip to the | | | | electronic tester. Drop in a tablet, swirl under water |
| colors on the bottle. "Comparison" tests such as this | | | | (the Scuba+ is an immersible tester) and the |
| rely on the user to match the color and are subject | | | | photometric reader does its work. Displays to the |
| to mis-interpretation or educated guessing. | | | | user the measurement on the LCD. This item is |
| A more accurate Test Strip came to market a few | | | | popular with pool guys, fits in a pocket of your cargo |
| years back. Digital strip readers take the guesswork | | | | shorts. |
| out of reading a test strip. You still dip and swirl, but | | | | With test kits, the axiom holds true, you get what |
| then insert the strip into the handheld TruTest Digital | | | | you pay for. If you want accuracy, you'll need to pay |
| Test Strip reader and it will give you a digital read-out | | | | a few more dollars. For the average pool owner |
| of your test results. | | | | however, I would recommend the $50 K-2005 kit. |
| Reagent Test Kits | | | | This will test all of the parameters important to |
| The next most accurate way to test your water. | | | | water balance. |
| For Chlorine testing, there are OTO and DPD | | | | One more thing...there are some water testing |
| methods of testing. OTO is the yellow colored test | | | | techniques or tips that will also help improve accuracy. |
| result. It computes Free Available Chlorine but does | | | | |
| not test for Total Chlorine, which means that you | | | | 1. Always use Fresh Reagents, most have a shelf life |
| cannot compute the level of Combined Chlorine in | | | | of 1 year. |
| your pool. DPD is more accurate. | | | | 2. Store reagents in a cool, dry location, out of direct |
| Test kits use reagents that you add, drop by drop, | | | | sunlight. |
| to your water sample. Chlorine and pH tests are a | | | | 3. Take your water sample from under the surface. |
| Comparison test, which means that we are relying on | | | | Testing surface water may yield inaccurate results. |
| the eye of the tester to make an accurate color | | | | 4. Keep your testing vials clean and rinse well |
| comparison. Total Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness and | | | | between tests. |
| Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer) tests are "Titration Tests", | | | | 5. If you get an odd test result, test again to be sure |
| which means that we count the number of drops | | | | before adjustment. |
| added until we observe a color change. Then we | | | | |