Am I in the right place?

[Mattsway]

Hi. I am brand new and in need of your help! We recently installed a small (10125L / 2674 US gallons) hydrotherapy pool (32 deg C/89.6 deg f) for my severely disabled son in a log cabin in the garden to help ease the pain in his legs from cerebral palsy and sitting in a wheelchair all day.
The builders left chlorine tablets and pH up and down granules, plus test strips. They said that as the pool was indoors, I only had to worry about free chlorine and pH. Is this correct? Should I invest in a proper testing kit. We do have a UV light in the system. Many thanks in advance.

 

[Texas Splash]

Hello and welcome!

They said that as the pool was indoors, I only had to worry about free chlorine and pH. Is this correct?

Not really true. You'll still need to monitor and manage all the other chemicals as they impact either the water comfort and/or health of your equipment/plaster as applicable. Being indoors, having the UV to oxidize CC (combined chlorine) is good. But you'll also need to monitor CYA. While it won't be nearly as high as an outdoor pool, you'll still need some CYA (conditioner/stabilizer) to serve as a buffer from the effects of chlorine. If your pool is plaster, then CH will need to be monitored, and of course TA for alkalinity.

Should I invest in a proper testing kit.

Absolutely! We here at TFP recommend either the TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C test kit. Those will be sure to give you accurate results. The only issue I don't' recall is which one you can have sent to you across the pond. Hopefully others will reply with that info, or I'll check back and get it for you. Stick around and watch your thread for more updates. Great to have you join us!

 

[JVTrain]

Welcome to TFP!

The best thing you can do is start with Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

TFP is about empowering home owners to take care of their own pools through the knowledge we have here. Understanding those basics is important. It's a lot to take in at first but check out more articles in Pool School - Pool School and ask questions!

 

[Mattsway]

Thank you for the warm welcomes and good info. There's a thread just ahead of me in which a Brit bought a Taylor kit, so I'll go back there for the link and get stuck into Pool School.

 

[Mattsway]

So I reckon the UK import duty and vat on the Taylor K2006C, currently $139.99 from poolvacparts;

Taylor FAS DPD Test Kit Chlorine - SERVICE SIZE K-2006C $139.99

Should work out to be £37, making a total of £176.20. Can anyone confirm this from experience?

The smaller kit, K2006 is available on Amazon here for £101.51 + £27.95 shipping;

Taylor K2006 Complete Pool Water Test Kit K-2006: Amazon.co.uk: Garden Outdoors

 

[Jezza]

Thumbs up for the K2006C from Poolvacparts.

 

[Analogbytes]

The 2006C is almost 3 times the test reagents. I easily say save money and buy the 2006C