Odd Salt test Results

[CLW42]

Hi Guys,

I'm using the Taylor salt test kit. On the 24th of June I tested and it was at 3,000 I tested again on the 29th and got the same result so I added a 40lb. bag which according to Poolmath would have brought me to ~3,200 ppm which is where I wanted to be. Today I tested and I'm at 2,800. I'm not sure how this could have happened. We had a little bit of rain, but I don't think it's anything that could have impacted the numbers by even close to that much. Is there anything else that could cause a 'loss of salt' aside from water replacement? My test kit is about a year old if that matters.

Also, just to be sure I'm doing it right:

10ml pool water
one drop yellow
drop of brown until water turns 'salmon color'
multiply by 200

Thoughts??

Thanks!

 

[pooldv]

I'm not familiar with the mechanics of that test. But, salt tests are inherently inaccurate. Most are +/- 400ppm. They are really only used as a sanity check to make sure your SWG is not way off, like 800-1000 ppm. One of the signs of a failing SWG is giving false low salt warnings. Most SWGs work fine with a wide range of salt, from about 2800 up to over 4000, even 4500 ppm. So, if the SWG is happy and making chlorine then we are all happy.