Hello Tim5055. (please don't laugh) I am using the Leslie's Deluxe Poolcare OTO Test Kit. In particular to the chlorine level, I add 5 drops into a colored container (yellow spectrum). It typically in the mild 2 - 3 range (as in past 11 years). The current reading is off the chart. It's super thick yellow. I am guessing like an 8 or 10.
I will post a full test by taking the water to the pool store on Monday. But here is the reading from my home test kit:
Total Chlorine Level = 10
pH Test = 8.2
Total Alkalinity = 90 ppm
Could the test kit be old/expired? That would be my first guess. I hope you understand that it is scientifically impossible for chlorine to stay in the pool for as long as you describe. The OTO test has a limit of 5 for chlorine (the 10 is for Bromine, using the same tube/scale).
But, with that being said not much credence is given to pool store testing around here. We find that many times pool store employees primary goal is to sell stuff, not necessarily get your pool in perfect condition. As to whether that is because of improper training, lack of knowledge or just to sell stuff I will leave up to you. While you would think that a "professional" would be the best, unfortunately in most cases it is quite the opposite. Between employees who blindly trust the word of chemical sales representatives and high school kids working in the pool store for the summer you end up with poor results from their testing. Plus, the results of their "testing" is used to convince you that you need to buy things. Why do you think that testing is free?
But, what can you do?? We base our pool care system on accurate testing and only adding what the pool needs, when it needs it. To do that you need your own accurate test kit. Order a
TF100 test kit
Please don't go back to the pool store for a test kit. To effectively practice the TFPC methods, the FAS/DPD chlorine test is essential. The
TF100 test kit has this test while very few other kits do. The kits sold at the pool store generally won't won't cut it, but be careful pool store employees are known to say “it's the same thing”. Generally it's not!
The only other real option for a test kit is a Taylor K-2006-C. Be careful comparing prices because the K-2006 comes in sizes, designated by a letter. The basic K-2006 has .75oz bottles. You need to get the K-2006-C to get the larger bottles that you want. Even then it is a little short on the reagent & powder for the FAS/DPD test.
What we teach is vastly different from what both pool stores and long time pool owners like yourself are used to.
Unfortunately the pool industry has evolved into sales by scare tactics, misdirection, misinformation and marketing hype. Go in to the store and tell them your TA is low and they are going to sell you baking soda in a fancy package at four times the cost of WalMart. Do they have a right to make a profit, yes - but lets be reasonable. Heck, even their definition of "low" can many times put you on a pH roller coaster that's hard to get off of. Is that lack of knowledge or a sales technique to sell you more chemicals to control your pH????
What do we propose? As i said above, we base our pool care system on accurate testing and only adding what the pool needs, when it needs it. Which leads to:
TFPC tenet - Never put chemistry in your pool when you do not know the outcome
For almost everything the pool store sells, there is a generic "twin" that you can get at your grocery store or big box store. Alkalinity low? you can go to the pool store and buy Alkalinity Up in a fancy bottle or you can stop by HEB and pick up baking soda.
So, to control your pool you need to know what is going on. many folks have a Saturday morning ritual, dip a bottle of water out of the pool and take it to the pool store (they give you the bottle for free). They test it and sell you what they say you need to "fix" what ails your pool. But, you will find not much credence is given to pool store testing around here. While you would think that a "professional" would be the best, unfortunately in most cases it is quite the opposite. Between employees who blindly trust the word of chemical sales representatives and high school kids working in the pool store for the summer you end up with poor results from their testing. Plus, the results of their "testing" is used to convince you that you need to buy things. Why do you think that testing is free?
