Using the TF-PRO with Smart-Stir

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I noticed something when using the smart stir as opposed to just manually swirling/shaking. Any thoughts?

With smart stir....the liquid ends up being a lot more cloudy as compared to when just manually swirling. Is this just a co-incidence or there might be something to do this.

With smart stir.....I see more pink stuff settled at the bottom which refracts light and makes the clear solution above look a bit pink making it difficult to make a judgement......when just doing manual swirling while adding drops....I see relatively less pink stuff settled at the bottom making it relatively easier to judge the clear solution.
 
jigneshsoni said:
OH NO! I feel stupid now!
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Please do not. We have a very large 'my brand new smart stir is broken' club and we meet on Tuesdays.
jigneshsoni said:
see relatively less pink stuff settled at the bottom making it relatively easier to judge the clear solution.
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Are we talking about the powder test ? All tests are more reliable with the stirrer. You likely weren't mixing well enough so you were ignorantly oblivious to more drops needed. Many times the solution will be on the verge of changing but still require a few more drops.

For the powder test, extra powder will not mix, so find the sweet spot of one or two grains of powder swirling around and repeat that 'scoop' size. If you use way too much powder you'll have crystal-y mud on the bottom.
 
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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... )
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Links to syringes please? I received my Pro Salt test kit this afternoon and am feeling very overwhelmed after watching the few videos and reading instructions.
 

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@lavndrocean We got ya! Slow down a bit and take it one test at a time. Here is a link to help you with the tests. I do warn you to NOT have anything in your mouth when you read it!

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
 
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kimkats said:
@lavndrocean We got ya! Slow down a bit and take it one test at a time. Here is a link to help you with the tests. I do warn you to NOT have anything in your mouth when you read it!

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
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that was great, thank you!
 
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lavndrocean said:
Oh so don't use the magnet in the smart stir when testing cya and pH? I did that tonight while I was doing practice runs on the tests. (they turned out pretty great too)
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Just kidding. I realized this morning I didn’t use the magnet or smart stir with the cya anyway lol
 
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bertschb said:
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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Yes. Sample Sizer is great. Gives you consistent results with near-zero effort. Completely overpriced but totally worth it so basically it’s not overpriced! I do my testing aT night with porch light on. No more squinting! Love the sample sizer!!
 
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