So I received my TF-100 in June of this year and started using it when I went through startup with my PB. (I always keep my test kit indoors) Problem is that my calcium numbers and Alkalinity numbers are consistently higher than his but all other tests are spot on. He is using a Taylor 2005 kit and I was using my TF-100. Since our Chlorine, PH, and CYA #'s matched, here are the tests where there were differences:
Alkalinity:
his: 90
mine:150
Calcium:
his:150
mine: 350
Startup PH was brough down to 7.2 and Chlorine was zero until day 4 it was brought up to a FC of 3. CYA started at 0 but was brought up to 40 over a week's time. Testing went on every day over the first 4 days of startup and while the numbers above for Alkalinity and Calcium changed our #'s were the same difference every time: Mine = 60ppm higher for alkalinity and 200ppm higher for Calcium every time.
This startup guy for my PB is really just a sub contracted pool service and repair guy who has been in the business for 30+ years. He goes through reagents weekly and he has the larger Taylor refill bottles. We did a test in swapping back and forth with his reagents and mine and were able to take out any variability in testing as far as color change point. I used his kit and also came up with his #'s. He concluded that my reagents must be old: R0009 for Alkalinity and R0012 for calcium specifically is what we were able to single out. So needless to say when he started mixing up some calcium powder in a bucket to pour into my pool to bring the calcium up to an acceptable level of at least 250 for start up I was freaking out but I guess I just have to trust his #'s over mine.
So I need to obtain as fresh as possible reagents - where do you all get your supplies? Leslies? My start up guy said to be wary of Leslies as far as reagent supplies for calcium especially as most home owners don't test for Calcium very often so the reagents sit on the shelf for long periods of time. Is there a way to find out a fresh date on these bottles - there is a code on it I just don't understand what it means. Thanks for your help!
Alkalinity:
his: 90
mine:150
Calcium:
his:150
mine: 350
Startup PH was brough down to 7.2 and Chlorine was zero until day 4 it was brought up to a FC of 3. CYA started at 0 but was brought up to 40 over a week's time. Testing went on every day over the first 4 days of startup and while the numbers above for Alkalinity and Calcium changed our #'s were the same difference every time: Mine = 60ppm higher for alkalinity and 200ppm higher for Calcium every time.
This startup guy for my PB is really just a sub contracted pool service and repair guy who has been in the business for 30+ years. He goes through reagents weekly and he has the larger Taylor refill bottles. We did a test in swapping back and forth with his reagents and mine and were able to take out any variability in testing as far as color change point. I used his kit and also came up with his #'s. He concluded that my reagents must be old: R0009 for Alkalinity and R0012 for calcium specifically is what we were able to single out. So needless to say when he started mixing up some calcium powder in a bucket to pour into my pool to bring the calcium up to an acceptable level of at least 250 for start up I was freaking out but I guess I just have to trust his #'s over mine.
So I need to obtain as fresh as possible reagents - where do you all get your supplies? Leslies? My start up guy said to be wary of Leslies as far as reagent supplies for calcium especially as most home owners don't test for Calcium very often so the reagents sit on the shelf for long periods of time. Is there a way to find out a fresh date on these bottles - there is a code on it I just don't understand what it means. Thanks for your help!