"You need to order a test kit"Testimonials

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funandsun

funandsun

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Bronze Supporter
Jun 11, 2017
758
Bloomington Indiana
I assume that the majority of us all went through the "I don't need a testkit" denial phase when we first showed up. After all, as we read back through our threads personally or of new friends that join us on TFP, that is typically the 1 thing no one has when they show up and it is the first thing we ask for "post your test results", "don't rely on strips they are worthless", "pool store testing is not reliable around here" and on and on.

At one point or another as you come through newbie to SLAM Master you realize the importance of that beautiful little test kit. I thought maybe we could take the time to share our own personal doubts and reservations about the first time we were told to "get a test kit" to help offset some of that for our new friends so that they can also deal with that initial shock of "what do you mean my pool store doesn't know what they are doing?".

I for one had a negative reaction to someone telling me I need to spend whatever it was $50-75 bucks for a test kit before I even get to throw anything into my pool. Usually for $75 bucks I am throwing something into the pool with that lottery feeling of hope and luck that this will turn it into a Blue Paradise. I got past it but it was there and it is pretty real.

Feel free to share, I bet there are some pretty funny experiences.
 
If I recall, I ordered my test kit right away. I didn’t have any doubts. I tend to be a bit of a nerd so I couldn’t wait to start playing with test tubes.

Then I got the speed stir, and my joy was complete!
 
When I built my pool, I didn't know anything about pool maintenance. Went to the pool store they said the price was of x dollars. gulp. No, no, and no.

People I know with unhappy pools telling me a pool was a big hole in the ground to fill with 100 $ bills and would regret building it.

Well none of that was in my plan. Being a saltwater aquarium guy, I knew water can be properly managed, but knowledge is key, and so is a test kit.

SO I was a little backwards, I know I needed a good test kit already, but didnt know what one really was or consisted of or any real knowledge ofpool water chemistry, So off to the WWW I went in seach of "How To".

Almost every internet search lead me right back here. I ordered my TF 100 the day I made my "Intro" to TFP. I cannot be more thankful for finding this place.
 
I actually got by for a few years with a 6-way HTH test kit from WalMart. I know, heresy! At least it had a CYA test. I always kept my FC higher than required, just because I knew I couldn't SLAM accurately. This was with a small above ground pool, so I just figured if I did get into trouble, I'd drain and refill. I finally broke down and bought the TF-50 a couple of years ago because I already had the OTO and pH test from my old test kit and didn't need another one.
 
I ordered my kit before my first post because I already knew what was coming. I later became a silver supporter and used my TFTkits discount on a TF-100 and Speedstir for my father-in-law. With the money I spent on the kits, I could have bought a package deal on sale at the local pool store; 35 lbs of tablets, 25 lbs of shock, and a bottle of Perfect Weekly.
 
I was the opposite, I bought my test kit before I found this site, but reading the manual made my brain go numb. Had no clue how to use the darn thing.
A month later I found this site, joined, was pleased to see the redundant factual posts regarding how to care for a pool, dontated, posted my first post, and the rest is history.
I can’t imagine taking care of a pool without a test kit.
 
I ruined my first pool doing what the pool store said to do. Took it down and said NEVER AGAIN...........well hubby wanted a new one. I told him if he could find a way for me to take care of the pool without having to go to the pool store we could get one..............he found TFP within 10 mins! I ordered the test kit BEFORE I ordered the pool. I wanted to make sure I COULD do the tests :roll: I can and they are FUN and easy!!! (and now I am a MOD on the forum-------life is funny like that)

Kim:kim:
 
Re: "You need to order a test kit"Testimonials

I was stubborn.. I know I know, to look at me you could never tell it.

I met my wife she already had the pool. I had never been around maintaining a pool. She always used the test strips and e v e n t u a l l y every year we would get the pool perfect for about 1-2 weeks. It was horrible. It went on like that for 6 years. I hated the pool. Told her I was ready to have the liner taken out and the hole filled in and lets make the back yard something we can actually manage and enjoy.

Well, we took a year and had a pool service... it was dumb. Sure the pool looked great on the day he was here but he came on Mondays, which meant by Friday/weekend, the pool was dirty and I capital H hated our vacuum head, what a piece of junk.. anyway fast forward, it was miserable. Wife tells me, next year, YOU are taking care of the pool and I told her, I agree... this is nuts.

I believed there had to be a method to this, it's just "water" hahaha... well, I found TFP, read and studied, asked the wife for a budget increase, told her I have the knowledge but I need better tools, she agreed and here I am.

I can remember thinking early on though... but wait, I use test strips and we get the pool right... yeah bonehead for 2 weeks out of 16 of the summer. You're really killing it! lol

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Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
I ordered my kit before my first post because I already knew what was coming.
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HAHAHAHA

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Arizonarob said:
I can’t imagine taking care of a pool without a test kit.
Click to expand...

Me either!

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kimkats said:
I ruined my first pool doing what the pool store said to do.
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wow! Gotta get the test kit folks!

I appreciate all of you sharing, I hope more keep rolling in. This can be an intimidating topic, I hope new folks find their way to this thread. They are not alone.

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I purchased a K 2006 when my old pool was being installed. In reality, I used it sparingly he first year. I did a couple pool store tests, purchased a couple things I did not need, and decided to start using it. I quickly realized everything mostly was staying the same (I had a swcg), and I used test strips the rest of the year.

The following year, I had the pool store open the pool in late May, and it was a green mess. That's when I conducted my first SLAM (you can find the thread and pics if you browse my old posts).

I just repurchased agents over the years instead of buying a new kit. I moved in March of this year. I gave my old test kit to the buyer of my old house, showed him how to use the equipment, and told him to come here if he wanted to spend only $100 per year in chemicals and keep it as clean as I had it.

I purchased new K 2006C for my new place.
 

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Re: "You need to order a test kit"Testimonials

jeffchap said:
I actually got by for a few years with a 6-way HTH test kit from WalMart. I know, heresy! At least it had a CYA test.
Click to expand...

Oh the value of CYA!

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GeorgiaPoolOwner said:
I gave my old test kit to the buyer of my old house, showed him how to use the equipment, and told him to come here if he wanted to spend only $100 per year in chemicals and keep it as clean as I had it.
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Sure hope they took your advice
 
I was living in a hotel and on my boat, awaiting possession of the house when I ordered my TF-100 and had it sent to my work address.

Meanwhile the sellers, Lilly and Herman, were busy. Lilly apparently spent her days hanging spider webs in the living room and spreading the contents of the vacuum cleaner bag throughout the house. (just kidding - there was NO evidence that she owned a vacuum)

Herman apparently bought bulk packages of Leslie's Super-Perma-Green Powder and dumped it daily into the pool. The top step of the pool was barely visible. It's only a few inches under water.

I hit the ground running with my kit, or at least I tried to. At some point during my SLAM I mentioned the inventory of the chemical closet. I still remember YippeeSkippy's reaction: EEGADS!

I was performing a Bromine SLAM. lol I've learned a lot since then. Still learning. Lilly and Herman won't be invited to swim parties.
 
Rollercoastr said:
Meanwhile the sellers, Lilly and Herman, were busy. Lilly apparently spent her days hanging spider webs in the living room and spreading the contents of the vacuum cleaner bag throughout the house. (just kidding - there was NO evidence that she owned a vacuum)

Herman apparently bought bulk packages of Leslie's Super-Perma-Green Powder and dumped it daily into the pool. The top step of the pool was barely visible. It's only a few inches under water.

I hit the ground running with my kit, or at least I tried to. At some point during my SLAM I mentioned the inventory of the chemical closet. I still remember YippeeSkippy's reaction: EEGADS!

I was performing a Bromine SLAM. lol I've learned a lot since then. Still learning. Lilly and Herman won't be invited to swim parties.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I don't remember the Munsters ever owning a pool on TV... :lol:
 
Trust the good will and advice of good people.
When we bought our home it had a pool and of course I went to the pool store for an education and supplies, ouch but lesson learned.
In an attempt to understand what I was seeing with my pool I searched the web, found TFP and was (am) amazed at all the detailed scientific information.
I also immediately recognized a group of kind, intelligent and motivated people who enjoy helping others with their pool systems and I stepped out on trust.
Following the advice I bought a Taylor K2006 and began the process which lead to fully understanding my pool system.
Now I pay close attention to all the advice and suggestions from the good folks in here.
Long live TFP.
 
I found this site when we decided to get a pol last year. I just did what I was told and ordered my test kit before the pool was finished. Don't all good husbands "just do what they are told" :)
 

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