New pool owner trying to understand test strip reading

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Pas_pool

Well-known member
Mar 24, 2025
71
Connecticut
Pool Size
22800
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Our newly constructed pool was filled a little over a week ago. I had a salt reading of 5.8 a couple nights ago. Brushed 3 more bags in and now I see on the SWG is says good, but I plan to test again tomorrow to try to get it to near 3600 if it is not there yet. Here is a list of our equipment:
Cartridge Filter: pent air clean and clear 420
pump: pentair superflo vst
SWG: Pentair ic40
pool heater: Aquacal sq145 super quiet

My question. Here is my test strip from tonight’s reading. Thoughts?

My initial thoughts were:
pH a little high?
Chlorine looks good to me.
Alkalidity looks A little high?
Stabilizer looks good to me
 

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You need a proper test kit. I suggest the TF-100/Pro or Taylor K2006C. A proper test kit is needed to get the accurate water chemistry results needed to follow the TFP protocols.
 
I'm afraid the only thoughts we have regarding test strips is to apply them directly to the waste basket. They are absolute junk.

For instance: have you added stabilizer already?
 
 
Pas_pool said:
What about this one?

Click to expand...

Pool Test Kits - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

The Taylor K-2005 is a test kit that gets pushed by many larger “pool stores”. It tests pH, TA, CH, CYA VERY well, but it’s shortfall is how it tests chlorine levels. The K-2005 uses a “DPD” chlorine test which has three very large pitfalls:

1. The DPD chlorine test will NOT show accurate results above 5 ppm. This is an issue if you wish to follow TFP methods, as we teach that it’s best to maintain a ratio of chlorine to CYA, see the Chlorine/CYA Chart, not just a firm 1-4 ppm.

2. The DPD chlorine test uses “color-matching.” You add a few drops of reagent to the water and then match the pink sample color to the comparator. It’s easy to mismatch the true levels.

3. Perhaps worst of all, the DPD chlorine test's pink sample color can "bleach out." If the chlorine is well above the 5 ppm limit, the pink sample color after the reagent is added can fade out or even remain clear. This can lead one to believe the chlorine level is MUCH lower than reality, potentially leading to adding even more chlorine to the pool.

In short, the K-2005 is a good kit.........it’s just not very accurate in chlorine testing.

TFP Methods requiring FC of more than 5 ppm, such as the SLAM Process and higher CYA levels, cannot be tested with the DPD chlorine test in the K-2005. You need the FAS/DPD chlorine test found in the TFT Test Kits, Taylor K-2006 or K-2006C.

If you have the K-2005 you can separately buy the FAS/DPD Chlorine Test to make your kit equivalent to the K-2006.
 
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The K2005 is missing the FAS-DPD test for FC and CC. So that test is not one we recommend.
The TF100 or TFPro from TFTestkits.net is a better value than the K2006C from Taylor.
 
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ajw22 said:

Pool Test Kits - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

The Taylor K-2005 is a test kit that gets pushed by many larger “pool stores”. It tests pH, TA, CH, CYA VERY well, but it’s shortfall is how it tests chlorine levels. The K-2005 uses a “DPD” chlorine test which has three very large pitfalls:

1. The DPD chlorine test will NOT show accurate results above 5 ppm. This is an issue if you wish to follow TFP methods, as we teach that it’s best to maintain a ratio of chlorine to CYA, see the Chlorine/CYA Chart, not just a firm 1-4 ppm.

2. The DPD chlorine test uses “color-matching.” You add a few drops of reagent to the water and then match the pink sample color to the comparator. It’s easy to mismatch the true levels.

3. Perhaps worst of all, the DPD chlorine test's pink sample color can "bleach out." If the chlorine is well above the 5 ppm limit, the pink sample color after the reagent is added can fade out or even remain clear. This can lead one to believe the chlorine level is MUCH lower than reality, potentially leading to adding even more chlorine to the pool.

In short, the K-2005 is a good kit.........it’s just not very accurate in chlorine testing.

TFP Methods requiring FC of more than 5 ppm, such as the SLAM Process and higher CYA levels, cannot be tested with the DPD chlorine test in the K-2005. You need the FAS/DPD chlorine test found in the TFT Test Kits, Taylor K-2006 or K-2006C.

If you have the K-2005 you can separately buy the FAS/DPD Chlorine Test to make your kit equivalent to the K-2006.
Click to expand...
That is all interesting. Thank you
 

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mknauss said:
Help me out, What do you mean by '8 tests'?
Click to expand...

OTO, FAS-DPD, CC, pH, CYA, CH, TA, Salt.

The TF-Pro Salt contains 8 tests
tftestkits.net

TF-Pro Salt

tftestkits.net tftestkits.net

@Pas_pool it is 8 different tests, but there is sufficient reagent to run these tests for a season or more. It does not mean there are only 8 tests in the kit and you are done.
 
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PoolStored said:
OTO, FAS-DPD, CC, pH, CYA, CH, TA, Salt.

The TF-Pro Salt contains 8 tests
tftestkits.net

TF-Pro Salt

tftestkits.net tftestkits.net

@Pas_pool it is 8 different tests, but there is sufficient reagent to run these tests for a season or more. It does not mean there are only 8 tests in the kit and you are done.
Click to expand...
Wow I feel dumb. Thank you for the explanation.
 
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Look at the TF-Pro Salt instead of the TF-100 Salt.
The Pro Salt comes with the stirring device, which makes testing so kuch easier and more accurate.
Or get the TF-100 Salt and add the stirring device.
 
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proavia said:
Look at the TF-Pro Salt instead of the TF-100 Salt.
The Pro Salt comes with the stirring device, which makes testing so kuch easier and more accurate.
Or get the TF-100 Salt and add the stirring device.
Click to expand...
Already purchased last night. Is it really that difficult to stir it?
 
Let me put it this way - for those of use who have the stirrer.... we wouldn't be without it, and if ours broke today we'd have another one on the way immediately.
Call TFTestkits in the morning (they are on east coast time) and see if they shipped your kit yet. If not, they can probably add it.
 
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proavia said:
Let me put it this way - for those of use who have the stirrer.... we wouldn't be without it, and if ours broke today we'd have another one on the way immediately.
Call TFTestkits in the morning (they are on east coast time) and see if they shipped your kit yet. If not, they can probably add it.
Click to expand...
+1 get the stirrer. Life is so much easier with the small plastic cross.
 
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WestJetty said:
+1 get the stirrer. Life is so much easier with the small plastic cross.
Click to expand...
I contacted their customer service and I purchased the pro model and I will print refused on the original that arrived to send it back and they will refund me. Great customer service
 
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