Let's stir up some discussion

[bbrock]

For some time, I have been tossing around the idea of getting a Taylor 9265 - Magnetic stirrer; better known as the renowned Speedstir. The main time I seem to be wanting it is when I perform the CH test b/c my pool has a relatively high CH (latest CH 1000; just b/c some may wonder what my #s are: pH 7.5, FC 7.5, CC 0, TA 60, CYA 50, temp = 57; my water is balanced per Pool Math and CSI is inline). Thus, I am sitting swirling for some time. Not to mention, occasionally I have lost count of how many drops of reagent I have added, and also had a hard time distinguishing when the water sample color stops changing blue. Thus, sometimes I have added reagent and gotten to my supposed stop point, only to add more reagent and the color continues to change. My thinking is that with a Speedstir, I can more easily focus on the color change vs. managing swirling, counting, and detecting color change.

If you have a Speedstir, please weigh in here on how you like it and how it has helped you.

Edit: Sorry about that 0 at the end of samples in the poll. I don't know how to edit the poll and delete that typo.
Fixed. JasonLion

 

[boston62]

The greatest...

 

[JVTrain]

I never test without it. SpeedStir fanboy here.

 

[jrs_diesel]

Speedstir since day one! Makes the mixing consistent.

 

[wjr75]

Must have!

 

[mikespoolfl]

You mean there's a way to manually mix. Is that like changing channels on the tv without the remote.

 

[bk406]

Speed stir

 

[dfahrion]

I am a self swirl vote. Since I found this site I don't do the CH test anymore since we have a vinyl pool otherwise I would consider it. That test does take a lot of mixing. I have gotten pretty good at swirling with one hand and dropping with the other for the chlorine test so bothering to get it out to do the test would be more work than testing without it. But if I had to do the CH test regularly I would consider it for that test and I've never tested that with it higher than 120.

 

[MARCO...polo]

CH and salt only. Or on a retest if I've got a result that is real wonky and I suspect it's my count or technique.

 

[bbrock]

You mean there's a way to manually mix. Is that like changing channels on the tv without the remote.

That got a great laugh. Tx Mikespoolfl!

 

[chem geek]

I swirl manually, but I'm usually only testing pH and chlorine so it's really only the FAS-DPD test where any mixing is done while adding drops. If I needed to test CH regularly, I'd more strongly consider the SpeedStir.

 

[g5marek]

I like the speed stir because it obviously makes the stirring easier but also because of the built in LED light. I find that I have gotten more consistent results because of the consistent lighting.

 

[yostmatt]

Once I tested TA, and it was 220, I said that was the last time. Ordered on that evening. It is well worth the money.

 

[JayBauman]

Magnetic stirrers all the way, baby!

I have spent a substantial part of my professional life working in chemical laboratories. There's a reason we always use magnetic stir bars when doing titrations (actually, there are probably lots of reasons, now that I think about it), so it would never occur to me to do my own mixing. I'm only disappointed that the SpeedStir is run off a pair of AA batteries instead of plugging into my wall at 110V....or even better yet: plugging into my pool equipment service at 220V!! More power, baby!!!

 

[gtemkin]

Use SpeedStir for TA and CH. The way to go for those 2 tests.

 

[Divin Dave]

I voted no just because I dont have one.

When I ordered my TF100, I was still new. I saw it on the tftestkit site, but passed with the consideration that it was just another pool gadget to suck more Federal Reserve notes from my already thread bare wallet.
Now that Ive been around a while, I have changed my mind. My next reorder of regents will include this contraption.

 

[Ryno98]

SpeedStir! I swirled manually for the first several months, but since I usually test at night I found that having the bright LED light really helped get accurate results (in the absence of sunlight). Plus it's faster and makes it look like I'm some kind of hyper-trained pool chemist.

 

[MarianParoo]

Personally, vinyl pool with low CYA, low TA, stable pH. No need for me to spend the bucks right now allowing me to keep the cooler full of the good stuff!

 

[eqbob]

I haven't seen the need for it. A quick swirl of the tube and you're done. Also, if you know about where you're at, you can add drops to get close to that in larger increments, swirl to mix, add more drops in smaller increments, etc. there nothing wrong with speed stir but it isn't needed for accuracy.

 

[mas985]

I haven't seen the need for it either. For me, it is pretty easy to mix the reagents by hand.