Buy TF100 now or wait until next pool season?

[whiter0se]

Hi all,
I am going to buy the TF100 since my pool has been cloudy over the past few days and I cannot read test strips for the life of me. I’ve brought the Clorox Test kit from Walmart since it was on clearance and it’s not the best being able to differentiate colors. I’ve managed to fix the cloudiness issue somewhat and it seems to be getting better day by day.

Now my question is, because I am in NYC, I’ll be closing my above ground pool around start to mid October. It is heated so I may be able to get away with a few swim sessions before the weather completely cools down.

Should I purchase the TF100 now to test the water before closing and possibly use for 2-3 weeks or should I wait until Spring 2023 and then purchase the kit?

The reason I ask is because of expiration dates on reagents and I’ve been splurging too much on everything else lately (being a new homeowner) and want to stay on budget. I know it’d probably save me a lot more $$$ during the long run by not wasting money on unneeded chemicals but wanted to hear everyone else’s opinion.

Any recommendations for a cheaper test kit to hold me over for 2-3 weeks? The basic Taylor kits (k-1000) is about $12 on Amazon. Would that suffice for a couple weeks?

Thank you

 

[mknauss]

If the pool water is cloudy, it is very likely you need to follow the SLAM Process

You need a proper test kit to do that. It is also much better to close the pool algae free.

Order the kit. The reagents will last through next swim season (from an expiration point) if kept inside away from very cold or hot temperatures and moisture.

 

[whiter0se]

Thank you for your reply. Would you have any idea of how long typically the reagents last? If I order today, will it be okay until October 2023? Can I use it for my hot tub as well? Will be replacing the water for the tub this month. And will be using for once a month or so during the winter months.

If the pool water is cloudy, it is very likely you need to follow the SLAM Process

You need a proper test kit to do that. It is also much better to close the pool algae free.

Order the kit. The reagents will last through next swim season (from an expiration point) if kept inside away from very cold or hot temperatures and moisture.

 

[mknauss]

The reagents are good generally for two years. The FAS-DPD reagents, especially the powder, is subject to degradation by moisture, so sometimes that needs replacement sooner.

How do you chlorinate the hot tub?

 

[whiter0se]

The reagents are good generally for two years. The FAS-DPD reagents, especially the powder, is subject to degradation by moisture, so sometimes that needs replacement sooner.

How do you chlorinate the hot tub?

I use bromine and mineral cartridges from the the unliked Frog Serene system. I also use HTH Spa powered chlorinating powder. Usually a oz with the jets on after each use. I know we don’t love the Frog system around here but I was able to buy 2 years worth of cartridges for the tub 50% off.

The pool also had the Frog system but I’ve switched to Liquid Chlorine since I’ve brought the home.

 

[mknauss]

You will need additional reagent to test bromine.

 

[whiter0se]

You will need additional reagent to test bromine.

What else do I need to select here? Is the base product good enough? Thank you

 

[mknauss]

The base TF100 has all the tests used to monitor chlorine pools. The bromine may need something else, but I am not sure TFTestkits has that. I have no experience in Bromine.

The addition of a Taylor SpeedStir is highly recommended.

 

[whiter0se]

Thank you for your help. I’ll order the base kit and the speed stir. I wanted to add up to more than $100 so I can get free shipping and this does it. Thanks again. Looking to post my results here when I get mine.

 

[whiter0se]

Just a quick update. Just ordered my kit with the stir device. Will update this thread or create a new one once it arrives.
Looking forward to getting another two to three weeks from the pool before I have to close it.

Thanks all

 

[Decoy205]

Getting the kit is totally worth it now. You want your water to be clean and clear for close so you don’t open to a swamp in the spring. That will cost you way more than the cost of kit to fix in time and money.

 

[duraleigh]

Getting the kit now was a good choice. The refill sale normally begins around March 1. You can safely skip the refill in March 2023 (I know it's more than a year but you wont use it much) until the 2024 refill sale giving you ALL new chemistry.

 

[whiter0se]

Thank you all and especially Nate. I just received the kit and it neatly packaged and got here safe! Now the fun (the fun of being a chemist) begins!

Just have to clear the backyard of these ******* lantern flies and we can test.

 

[whiter0se]

Here are the results! Man the pH is hard to read - I would've thought I'd had more trouble with the CYA indicator but the pH gave me more trouble so I am posting a photo here but I believe it it within acceptable range.

Today's date, 9/21/22
FC: 9FC (18 drops)
CC: 0.0 (didn't even change colors, maybe because I've been pouring LC non-stop lately)
Calcium: 250PPM? (I did 10 drops)
TA: 1300 (13 drops)
CYA: Between 80 and 90 Mark. So I'm going with 90, correct?
PH: Judge for yourself please. I think it is acceptable.



I think 90 for CYA is okay. The previous owner had been using Frog tablets, and I believe it was way higher before and I managed to bring it down. I think 90 is acceptable but I am open to hearing everyone's opinion.

 

[mknauss]

Fill the pH indicator to the line in the top box. The intensity of the sample will reduce.
The pH is in the 7's.

TA is 130 -- 10 ppm TA per drop to red if using a 25 ml sample.

CYA at 90. High for a non-SWCG pool. Will take 35 ppm FC to follow the SLAM Process

 

[duraleigh]

Your pH is too high. Calculate a dosage to get it down to around 7.7 starting from 8.2.

You will likely end up with an orangeish tint and not so much purple.

the colors going from low pH to high pH are
yellow 6.8 and lower
yellow orange 7.0
orange 7.2
orange red 7.4-7.5
red 7.6-7.8
red violet 8.0
violet 8.2 and higher


EDIT: mknauss may be correct it could be high 7.s but looks a bit too purple to me.

 

[whiter0se]

Thank you both. I am going to add 2oz of Clorox PH down and wait a day and monitor. I’d rather put less and monitor than all at once and have to bring the pH back up.

Besides that, I smell the test on my hands and everywhere. Is that normal? The box had a strong smell of chemicals when opening and I can still smell it even while outside or in another room.

 

[whiter0se]

Also a bonus picture of the water. It looks so good! I wish summer wasn't ending!
Don't mind the dirt on the bottom, we've had some windy storms lately and a lot of dirt been swept in. I will be vacuuming this weekend!

 

[mknauss]

Is that normal?

Mine has never smelled. Did anything leak?

 

[Newdude]

Both of mine had a distinct chemical smell. It lessened with time but never went away, and I got used to it so between the 2, it almost went away.