pH reading

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yann

yann

0
Aug 15, 2017
273
Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia
Pool Size
36500
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Astral VX 7T
Hi all

I'm having more and more issues reading the pH, getting real hard for for me to differentiate between the pink to purple colour changes.

I think I've read somewhere the members using Taylors kit add 1 less drop of reagent and that helps them (4 instead of 5 in a 25ml sample if I remember well)

I'm using the CCL kit here in Australia. Test requires 2 drops in a 10ml sample.
Can I do the same, with increasing my sample to 25ml and adding 4 drops? Or will that completely alter the results?

Thanks
 
Have you considered the use of a pH meter to avoid color comparison?
Also Taylor makes a comparator called 2000 series that has 6 levels of color from 7.0, 7.2, 7.4, 7.6, 7.8 and 8.0
either is and option to the standard pH 1000 series comparator.
 
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I hear you....having a similar issue with my CH reagents. The very subtle magenta to blue color change in my Taylor kit is a bit tough. I'm partially color blind on certain shades so that doesn't help. I've found that if I take the test kit inside under flourescent light as opposed to doing it out at the pool, I can see the transition much better. One idea is to go farther (with additional drops) until there is no doubt about the color change then just estimate approximately where the change actually occurred.
 
yann said:
Hi all

I'm having more and more issues reading the pH, getting real hard for for me to differentiate between the pink to purple colour changes.

I think I've read somewhere the members using Taylors kit add 1 less drop of reagent and that helps them (4 instead of 5 in a 25ml sample if I remember well)

I'm using the CCL kit here in Australia. Test requires 2 drops in a 10ml sample.
Can I do the same, with increasing my sample to 25ml and adding 4 drops? Or will that completely alter the results?

Thanks
Click to expand...
I wouldn't know, but @JoyfulNoise might. In case he doesn't know offhand, can you give him any additional info on the test? A reagent number? Or the specific ingredient(s)? Or the model number of the CCL kit?

You might add your specific test kit name and model to your signature...
 
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HermanTX said:
Have you considered the use of a pH meter to avoid color comparison?
Also Taylor makes a comparator called 2000 series that has 6 levels of color from 7.0, 7.2, 7.4, 7.6, 7.8 and 8.0
either is and option to the standard pH 1000 series comparator.
Click to expand...
Thanks

Any recommendations on electronic pH meter?
 

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yann said:
Thanks

Any recommendations on electronic pH meter?
Click to expand...
I have used 2 (but similar) pH meters with good results. One is the pH meter on the tftestkits.net website. It is listed as being ph-009 (I) A is valid for 0 to 14pH range and has resolution of 0.1ph and accuracy of +/-0.1pH.
I have also used this one from Amazon . It has same range of 0-14 but resolution of 0.01. Although not needed to read pH to 0.01. I found it a little simpler to calibrate but both are good. Suggest you calibrate every month or so.
There are more expensive ones but felt not needed.
 
I actually have two of the meters from tftestkits, and could never get them to read reliably. I ended up picking up an Apera PH60, and it's been great; especially since I'm colorblind ... The only two tests I still need help distinguishing are the FC test and the CH test.

Here's a link to the PH60 version I purchased

Apera Instruments AI311 Premium Series PH60 Waterproof pH Pocket Tester Kit, Replaceable Probe, ±0.01 pH Accuracy: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Apera Instruments AI311 Premium Series PH60 Waterproof pH Pocket Tester Kit, Replaceable Probe, ±0.01 pH Accuracy: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
 
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I've used the Apera pH20 for about 2-1/2 years now with good results. I purchase bottles of buffer solution to do a two-point calibration, and Apera also highly recommends using electrode storage solution--the cap that fits on the end of the Apera meters is very small, so it uses very little buffer or storage solution.
 
proavia said:
Maybe @BrettClearChoiceLabs can shed some light on this.
Click to expand...
Hi everyone - generally my response is if Taylor says it can be done, ours will probably work the same way. Our ph reagent is not taylor but it should be basically the same formula so try it and keep an eye on your data/maths to make sure nothing drifts. At least it's not the CYA dot test of super subjectivity *bangs head on lab bench repeatedly*

On the electronic ph meter stuff I'll say calibration is super important but if you find one you like they are a decent alternative. Calibration is always the problem with any electronic test unit so try to find one that doesn't involve a million steps - that Apera looks good I might try it next. I've had a bunch of ph meters for lab work and some of them are super easy to maintain. Some of them worked less well when they got broken from an accidental fall into the bin after one too many finicky setups. :LOL::ROFLMAO::stirpot:
 
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BrettClearChoiceLabs said:
generally my response is if Taylor says it can be done, ours will probably work the same way.
Click to expand...
In case you got that from elsewhere, or misread my post, Taylor's lead tech support guy specifically said not to use four drops, and that the test was to be used as designed, with five drops. I don't know where the "four drop method" originated, but I learned it here, and at least two of our TFP experts have sanctioned it (and one of those explained the science behind why it is OK). I've used it for years now with seemingly no ill-effects, as have others.

@BrettClearChoiceLabs, if you've heard otherwise from Taylor, please let us know. I wish Taylor would adjust their formula, or their instructions, because 4 drops seems to work better for everyone that tries it.
 
Thanks everyone
I didn’t find using 4 drops in a 25m to be so much different to 2-in-10 or 5-in-25

@BrettClearChoiceLabs would it be possible to add a pH 8.0 colour square to your testing tube?
Since my pool really loves pH 7.8 it would make it easier for me to know when to adjust pH.
I’m sure other customers would benefit too, with SWGs so popular in Australia I would assume lots of people keep their pH in the upper range.

again thanks everyone
 
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Since the CCL pH-reagent is (according to their compatibility chart) fully compatible with Taylor's R-0004 reagent, I am wondering if you could use Taylor's 2000-series comparator, which I have seen on Amazon-Australia available as US-import. Interesting, that CCL chose 6.8 - 7.8 for their comparator, rather than Taylor's 7.0 - 8.0. But I have to say that all of that is only of academic interest for me anyway, all these shades of red in the range above 7.6 look pretty much identical to my eyes.

But let's see what Brett says, maybe it is possible to add 8.0 to comparator for those with better eyes than I have...
 
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Adding an 8? Are you crazy, I'd have to figure out how to use the graphic design software again, anything but that! I'll drive to Sydney every week and fix your pool, it'll be easier :p

The Taylor comparator idea is something I've been looking at on and off for a year now myself, because I'd like the option. I don't actually have a taylor one I've got a generic version from a local place but it works, I
have gotten it working with our reagent but... there's a big difference between using it in my house, and being confident enough to sell one. (Also I would need a cost effective solution) I can't see a problem with using a Taylor but don't quote me. Our reagent isn't Taylors but it's the same as Taylors, so it should work, in theory, but drop sizes, and concentrations, and potential additives and and and and *passes out on floor*
d81ee742e518f87b5c3ca33eb993622e.gif
Cupcakes, yes delicious cupcakes, cupcakes for all! I mean comparators!
 
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Dirk said:
because 4 drops seems to work better for everyone that tries it.
Click to expand...

I'll be the weirdo who doesn't seem to like the 4 drop method. Too hard for me to distinguish the colors with only 4 drops. I recently purchased the 9058 comparator and R-0004 reagent and I like that much better. I think the sheer volume difference helps. And it has an 8.0 color, where the K-1000 goes from 7.8 - 8.2, and I find I am trying to guess at whether it is 7.8 or 8.0.

--Jeff
 
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