New pool -- Test kit?

[JohnathanStein]

Have had the Intex variety of soft-side pools for years, starting with 10' and moving up to 18'. Filled with shallow-well water, always got by with floater-tablets, and a weekly bottle of Bleach.

Finally decided to put in a permanent hard-wall, 24' Aluminum, 4' deep above-ground. Just finished clearing the circle, about to put up walls & liner and begin to fill. This will be twice as much water as I'm used to taking care of.

Would like recommendations on:

1 -- Chemical testing: The little "shaker" chlorine test is what I used. Do I need to do more -- if so, what?

2 -- Test kits: Do I need something fancier than the "shaker" -- if so, can you please give a brand/model of kit?

Thanks all!

 

[ajw22]

Good luck on the pool build.

Most of us here use the TF-100 Test Kits or the Taylor K-2006C. If you get the Taylor make sure it is the C model with larger reagents.

 

[getreal720]

I think your best bet is the TF100 kit. It has a ton of reagents and covers a great variety of testing needs.

I bought mine last June and have tons of reagents still. They suggest to replace the reagents once per year, if it weren't for that I could probably test my pool for 5 to 10 years with what comes in it.


Great kit, super easy to use, lots of reagents. Some people may view it as kinda pricey, but if it saves you from having to drain and fill your pool even once it was well worth it. Not to mention the cost
it could save you in dumping gallons after gallons of chlorine in a pool fighting green water.

The shaker your using probably only does chlorine... maybe pH. You really need to know at the least what your CYA levels are as well, in addition to the total alkalinity and if your using well water your
going to want to know where your calcium hardness is at.

I love my kit, well worth the price I paid. If I had any gripe, it may be that they offered a "cheaper" version with less reagents or if not maybe a "smaller" restocking kit. Who knows, it's been long enough
ago that I may have forgotten and they do offer a smaller restock kit!

I do know that each year in March they offer a discount on restocking kits for the reagents. Can't go wrong with the TF100 IMO!

 

[IrishEyesSmiling]

+1 on the TF-100. I also suggest the Speedstir w/ extra magnets. That way you can do all the tests at once without having to clean any.

 

[JohnathanStein]

How many extra magnets?

Never used TF-100 or mag-stir; could you give brief outline of the process? Am starting up new pool...

Thx!

 

[mknauss]

Pool School - Extended Test Kit Directions

http://www.youtube.com/user/tf100testkit?feature=results_main

SpeedStir uses a magnetic coil and a drop bar you place in the vial with your water sample that stirs the sample for you. Priceless for doing CH testing and very convenient for FC and TA testing.

 

[lamerem]

x2 for the TF-100 and Taylor SpeedStir.

 

[IrishEyesSmiling]

I have one magnet for each test (FC, TA, CH & salt) +1.

 

[JohnathanStein]

What do you do with the test water after readings -- safe to go down septic, toss behind bushes, etc.?

 

[mknauss]

Either. I have a rock yard (desert here) so just dump them out.

Do not dump in pool preferably.

 

[JohnathanStein]

No danger to cats, dogs, chickens, etc?

 

[mknauss]

I would not suggest they drink it.