- Sep 14, 2023
- 101
- Pool Size
- 26500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Help with pH reading please
- Thread starter cwswifty
- Start date
- Jun 1, 2018
- 13,981
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I’m calling it 8 but do me a favor & cover all the other blocks with something before comparing. Then slide it up & down the comparator.
This makes it much easier to compare each color to the one you have.
Also, just aim for mid 7’s & you don’t have to worry about overshooting your acid dose whether it’s currently 7.8 or 8.0
This makes it much easier to compare each color to the one you have.
Also, just aim for mid 7’s & you don’t have to worry about overshooting your acid dose whether it’s currently 7.8 or 8.0
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,287
- Pool Size
- 12300
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- Plaster
- Chlorine
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- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Try using 4 drops of reagent rather than 5.
You can also try blocking out the line above and below a particular reading....
I see that as about 8 - it has a purplish tinge.
You can also try blocking out the line above and below a particular reading....
I see that as about 8 - it has a purplish tinge.
- Sep 14, 2023
- 101
- Pool Size
- 26500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
The purple tinge was messing with me too. I’ve been experimenting with less drops in the Taylor kit and TF Pro. Checkout 3 drops (instead of 5) of R-0014 in the TF Pro kit. Looks exactly matched to 8.2 to me. Thoughts?
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,287
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
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- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
That looks like 8.1 or 8.2
What is your current TA?
Add enough acid to lower your pH by 0.4 and retest in 30 minutes with pump running.
Let us know what the new pH result is.
What is your current TA?
Add enough acid to lower your pH by 0.4 and retest in 30 minutes with pump running.
Let us know what the new pH result is.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 13,981
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
It does in this picture.
The deal is you don’t want to attempt to interpret/assume things that aren’t accurately readable with the device you’re using.
Like a ph higher than 8.0 using that other comparator.
Which ever comparator you use if the ph looks higher than the highest readable value you would still just assume the highest readable value, add enough acid to get to mid 7’s per poolmath & repeat the exercise if you didn’t reach your target because your ph was actually higher. You can always add a little more acid if you need to.
- Sep 14, 2023
- 101
- Pool Size
- 26500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
TA is 60. I’ll adjust pH down .4 and report back.
I understand the approach you describe but I’m limited in my ability to see colors correctly. The problem is mostly with red/green. I seem to be able to tell lighter/darker shades very well and if one color looks exactly like another. Where I struggle is with the transitions from one color to the next.
- Sep 14, 2023
- 101
- Pool Size
- 26500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
- Jun 1, 2018
- 13,981
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I’m calling that 7.8/ 8
Your original ph may have been a scootch higher than 8.2
That’s ok - you can always go another round if needed to ensure you don’t overshoot your addition. So long as you land in the 7’s you’re good
Here’s a crude image of what I was referring to doing courtesy of @Newdude
Some use a paper or paper plate for this.
The color blind may benefit from a good ph meter for times when their work can’t be checked by a significant other/cohabitator. So long as it is maintained/calibrated regularly.
Your original ph may have been a scootch higher than 8.2
That’s ok - you can always go another round if needed to ensure you don’t overshoot your addition. So long as you land in the 7’s you’re good
Here’s a crude image of what I was referring to doing courtesy of @Newdude
Some use a paper or paper plate for this.
The color blind may benefit from a good ph meter for times when their work can’t be checked by a significant other/cohabitator. So long as it is maintained/calibrated regularly.
Let's make belive you're using a paper plate or your thumbs.
It's darker than 7.8
But lighter than 8.2. (More pink / less purple)
I find the yes/no method way easier than 'best of 3'.
You'll get there, you just have to guess the first 100 times. In the end, if you're .2 off you're way better than the 99%.
It's darker than 7.8
But lighter than 8.2. (More pink / less purple)
I find the yes/no method way easier than 'best of 3'.
You'll get there, you just have to guess the first 100 times. In the end, if you're .2 off you're way better than the 99%.
- Sep 14, 2023
- 101
- Pool Size
- 26500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Block 1 agrees with my 8 assessment above.
This looks dead on once we remove the others fouling with our brains.
It is its own fun, but can be the lesser of two evils for some.
This looks dead on once we remove the others fouling with our brains.
The apera 60
It is its own fun, but can be the lesser of two evils for some.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 13,981
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Most here prefer the apera ph60 - i have never used one so no real experience with it.
You should still back up your testing with the phenol red test on a regular basis if you decide to get one as they are electronic devices that can malfunction.
The range of acceptable ph levels in a pool is quite broad (anywhere in the 7’s)
so its not necessary to be pin point accurate with your judgment of the phenol red test.
- Jan 7, 2012
- 1,544
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A consistent background is key. I prefer a backlit background. To get a consistent backlight, hold the block in front of your computer monitor with a blank white screen displayed (I use Google's homepage). Also, try holding the block sideways or upside down. Sometimes that helps distinguish colors better. I also use two old hotel keycards to mask off areas and narrow down my decision.
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,287
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,287
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
- Sep 14, 2023
- 101
- Pool Size
- 26500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
So the fist pH adjustment was 15 oz to go down 0.4. When I went back out for the second adjustment I only had 8 oz of Ma left. I added that and 30 mins later it looked just under 7.8 to me. It is easier for me to see the colors in the high 7 range.
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,287
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Great - so if at the high end of the scale, just lower it a few tenths of a point to get it in the 7's. Do not lower it more than 0.4 at any one time - and then retest and lower again if needed.
Use 4 or 5 drops of reagent - whichever works best for you to see the color and match it to the color on the comparator block.
Use 4 or 5 drops of reagent - whichever works best for you to see the color and match it to the color on the comparator block.
- Sep 14, 2023
- 101
- Pool Size
- 26500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Thanks for the assist everyone! BTW, I've ordered a PH60 as another reference point. We'll see how that goes. 
- Sep 14, 2023
- 101
- Pool Size
- 26500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
So far the Apera PH60 seems quite nice. I've been comparing results to the phenol red test with the assistance of my wifey's eyes. Good correlation so far. It comes with 4, 7 and 10 pH buffer solution for a 3 point cal. I've also ordered some 8.2 buffer solution for verifying it around the pH zone I'm most interested in. This will help me to determine when a re-calibration is necessary.
Good correlation so far. It comes with 4, 7 and 10 pH buffer solution for a 3 point cal. I've also ordered some 8.2 buffer solution for verifying it around the pH zone I'm most interested in. This will help me to determine when a re-calibration is necessary.Similar threads
