Having trouble with CH test and Salt Test

[Florida Ron]

I received my test kit in the mail a few days ago and I have been taking some time trying to learn everything. The only 2 tests that I'm baffled by is the CH and Salt. I have run them several times and am getting quite a few different readings than I have been getting from my 2 local pool stores. Here are my readings.

Local pool stores

CH - 350-375
Salt - 3200-3500

My Readings

CH - 500-525
Salt - 5200

Now, I know my salt is higher but that is after adding 2 bags to raise the level since the manufacturer of my chlorine generator likes the level between 4000-4500. It should not have raised it by THAT much by adding 2 bags. I am following the directions as described in Pool School and that came with the kits. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[duraleigh]

It is a terrible idea to compare your results to pool stores.

Why do you think your's are wrong and the pool store is right. It is most always the opposite.

 

[Florida Ron]

I'm not saying one or the other. I was just curious as to why there might be such a difference. Are they really just that careless with these tests or just trying to extort money out of people? All of the other readings I got were pretty much in line with what they got except for those two. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

 

[TomGallopavo]

Titration is extremely accurate, trust your test kit.

 

[Florida Ron]

OK, I will. Just kind of disheartening that you can't trust people these days. Looks like I will doing a partial drain today since the CH and Salt is high. Won't make this mistake again. :-(

 

[pooldv]

There are lots of reasons why pool store test results are inconsistent

Inexperienced operator
Poor training
Poor lighting
Poor technique, sampling, mixing
Not cleaning out last customer's pool water

 

[jblizzle]

What salt test are you using?

 

[OTPirate]

jblizzle already has this, but that salt reading from your test is way high. Have you put a bunch of salt in pool recently?

 

[Florida Ron]

I'm using the Taylor kit that I got with the TF100. Yes, I added 2 bags of salt last week to bring my levels up to the manufacturer's suggested level for their chlorine gen. The last readings I got from the pool stores were 3200 & 3500. 2 bags should have put me close to where I needed to be as long as their test results were accurate.

I have a SGS chlorine generator which calls for it to be between 4-4500, with a minimum of 3000.

 

[jblizzle]

Does the SWG report a salt level?

Still did not state what salt test you have.