Using the TF-PRO with Smart-Stir

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jigneshsoni

Well-known member
Jun 21, 2022
84
New Jersey
I am very new to testing kit and almost have zero knowledge about it. I ordered the TF-Pro with smart-stir kit yesterday and it should be arriving in 1-2 days. I would like to learn all about it.
Are there any good videos that dumbs it down and shows step by step instructions to use the kit?
 
The kit will come with complete step-by-step instructions. Hundreds of us here on the forum own the kit and will chime in almost immediately if you post a question.

I suggest when you get your kit to scoop up a cup or so of pool water and take it inside (kitchen table?) where you can sit and read how to do the tests. You will be slow at first but you will quickly learn. The leftover test water is harmless and can be tossed in the yard or down your sink, whatever you are comfortable with.

Great choice...........you will not regret it!
 
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jigneshsoni said:
I am very new to testing kit and almost have zero knowledge about it. I ordered the TF-Pro with smart-stir kit yesterday and it should be arriving in 1-2 days. I would like to learn all about it.
Are there any good videos that dumbs it down and shows step by step instructions to use the kit?
Click to expand...
Not sure if there are any on Tf-pro, but it uses Taylor reagents, so tests would be the same. Taylor has resources on their Site and a YouTube Channel, look for k-2006 videos and instructions.

Extended test kit instructions; See TF-Pro resources here.
 
I picked up a couple cheap plastic syringes and use those too, along with some extra 'stirrers'

So for example, my daily Chlorine-Test-While-Drinking-My-Second-Coffee
1. Make some coffee
2. Test the coffee...yummy
3, Fill the syringes from the pool, go back inside and sit on my Den couch...
4. Add 10ml to the 'Chlorine test' test vial (I keep one dedicated, as it does stain over time)
5. Throw the dedicated 'Chlorine Stirrer' into the vial
6. Put the vial on the SmartStir, hit the light/spin button...
7. Say 'No Balls'..and chuckle...because it reminds me of an old pre-meme meme
8. Add the FAS/DPD powder. Try to guess the FC level from how red it goes.
9. Start dripping in the R-0871 reagent - the first 5 or 6 drops fairly quickly because I know I should be around 6-7 FC which is 12-14 drops anyway
10. Get to 12-13, try to decide if it needs one more or not...usually end up rounding down to a whole number (so 13 drops = 12 = 6ppm FC
11. Drink some more coffee...still yummy, just not quite as hot now
12. Add 5 drops of R-0003...look to see if I can see any pink tinge...usually not, but if its just a hint, then I don't bother measuring CC...as it'd be under 1ppm anyway
13. Look at my 25ml syringe with 15ml left in it....consider shooting the wife with it
14. Decide 13 would be a bad idea, shoot the dog with it...who thinks it's hilarious...
15. Rinse everything, put it all away.
16. Drink some more coffee...man that stuff is good.

Total (including the coffee making) maybe 5 minutes. Without the coffee...probably under a minute if I was pushed for time. Once you've done it a few times, it's easy.

Let me know if you want some links for syringes or stirrers - the syringes make the whole exercise super easy ( I think I saw NewDude post about them initially... )
 
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SJPoe said:
I think I saw NewDude post about them initially...
Click to expand...
I certainly like them but I eventually started using the CYA test squirter thingie. Once the CYA is dialed in the squirter isn't being used often and is sitting right there to grab a sample with. The small tip makes fine tuning 10ml super easy.
 
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SJPoe said:
I picked up a couple cheap plastic syringes and use those too, along with some extra 'stirrers'

So for example, my daily Chlorine-Test-While-Drinking-My-Second-Coffee
1. Make some coffee
2. Test the coffee...yummy
3, Fill the syringes from the pool, go back inside and sit on my Den couch...
4. Add 10ml to the 'Chlorine test' test vial (I keep one dedicated, as it does stain over time)
5. Throw the dedicated 'Chlorine Stirrer' into the vial
6. Put the vial on the SmartStir, hit the light/spin button...
7. Say 'No Balls'..and chuckle...because it reminds me of an old pre-meme meme
8. Add the FAS/DPD powder. Try to guess the FC level from how red it goes.
9. Start dripping in the R-0871 reagent - the first 5 or 6 drops fairly quickly because I know I should be around 6-7 FC which is 12-14 drops anyway
10. Get to 12-13, try to decide if it needs one more or not...usually end up rounding down to a whole number (so 13 drops = 12 = 6ppm FC
11. Drink some more coffee...still yummy, just not quite as hot now
12. Add 5 drops of R-0003...look to see if I can see any pink tinge...usually not, but if its just a hint, then I don't bother measuring CC...as it'd be under 1ppm anyway
13. Look at my 25ml syringe with 15ml left in it....consider shooting the wife with it
14. Decide 13 would be a bad idea, shoot the dog with it...who thinks it's hilarious...
15. Rinse everything, put it all away.
16. Drink some more coffee...man that stuff is good.

Total (including the coffee making) maybe 5 minutes. Without the coffee...probably under a minute if I was pushed for time. Once you've done it a few times, it's easy.

Let me know if you want some links for syringes or stirrers - the syringes make the whole exercise super easy ( I think I saw NewDude post about them initially... )
Click to expand...
This sounds like a glorious morning... trade me? Here's mine:

1) Wake up in the morning (typically around 5:30am from the crying 2 month old or the 4 year old who climbed in our bed)
2) Morning bathroom break (might be the best part of the morning, honestly)
3) Shower/get ready.. scrambling at this point since I know two kids are still in PJs and my wife hasn't rolled out of bed yet
4) Head to the garage to let the dogs out and give them food/fresh water
5) Head inside to grab my test kit and let the dogs out the back while I'm at it
6) Dip my test tube in the water about 6 separate times because I pour too much out and have to refill. DANG! Got my shirt sleeve wet... went a little too far past the elbow.
7) Run in to change the shirt - wife's still in bed
8) Finally dump the powder in my roughly 9-11ml of water depending on the day
9) Drop the 30+ drops in because my CYA is sky high and I'm maintaining chlorine around 15-17ppm
10) Dump another gallon of chlorine in the pool
11) Run back inside and get the 4 year old dressed - wife's feeding the 2 month old now
12) Slug a coffee flavored protein drink with some caffeine in it
13) Get the 4 year old some milk/yogurt and direct him to put his shoes on
14) Get the 4 year old in the truck to head to school
15) Get in the truck around 7:36am with a 30 minutes of drive-time and a kiddo drop off ahead of me
16) Powerslide into my work parking lot around 8 minutes after 8am and rush in to sit down for whatever 8:30 meeting I have on the books that day

Whew...
 
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duraleigh said:
The kit will come with complete step-by-step instructions. Hundreds of us here on the forum own the kit and will chime in almost immediately if you post a question.

I suggest when you get your kit to scoop up a cup or so of pool water and take it inside (kitchen table?) where you can sit and read how to do the tests. You will be slow at first but you will quickly learn. The leftover test water is harmless and can be tossed in the yard or down your sink, whatever you are comfortable with.

Great choice...........you will not regret it!
Click to expand...
As a follow on to this idea, I use a bike water bottle like this. https://www.amazon.com/Amp-Human-Water-Bottle-Black/dp/B08L8HYKW9/ref=sr_1_1?gclid=CjwKCAjwwdWVBhA4EiwAjcYJEJ0QyWy5VKha7ZNyOvpEX6O5sJsJLa9cd63wW1eU1NOpjlP7M1HUWxoCMvEQAvD_BwE&hvadid=178113454793&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1018507&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=5342524286022328012&hvtargid=kwd-1317680940&hydadcr=9191_9895649&keywords=water+bottles+for+bicycles&qid=1656116569&refinements=p_85:2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sr=8-1

The one I use was free from some event. Very easy to fill the sample cylinder and then drip to the line.
 
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Do any of you guys use the Taylor SampleSizer ?

I find this thing almost as useful as the Smart Stir. Previously, I used the eyedropper thingy to get just the right amount of water in the sample tube but the SampleSizer is waaaay faster, very accurate and very repeatable.
 
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Here is a testing thread for you!

So you are new to testing

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters…… It’s that time of year again with an influx of newbs either getting a late start or coming to us trying to undo what hasn’t been working. First of all, I’d like to welcome you all. You’re gonna love it here. We will...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Do not have anything in our mouth while reading it!
 
Anybody uses the Smart Stir that comes with the TF-100 Pro Smart Stir kit?
Any videos explaining how does this work?
I inserted the batteries and I see the 2 Buttons. 1 of them flashes nice white light and the other 1 not so much. I thought I would see/hear/feel some kind of vibrations or shaking so that the liquids get mixed/swirled. But I don't see/feel/hear anything when this is ON. How do I know if this is working?
 
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Fill the vial with the appropriate amount of water. Add the pill and press either button. It's magnetic so no gears turn or noises get made by itself. I spent 30 minutes with my own back when and even had it apart trying to fix it before having a real good 🤦‍♂️
 
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