Can you discard the test water back into the pool and other questions

[giant_donut]

Hi, very new to TFP and been using the forum to get my pool back into a non-cloudy state.

Might be a dumb question but I am using the Taylor K-2006 Test Kit and was wondering if I can discard the water after testing back into the pool or do I discard it in the yard?

Another question, where are you keeping a log of your daily/weekly test results? Do you use your own google doc so you can review it at a later time? Are there better options to keep a record? I'm planning on getting rid of my pool servicing company since they let it get to this cloudy condition and increased the CYA/Calcium Hardness to the max level but I did like that they would send me the results.

 

[wireform]

Subscribe to the pool math app. It's all there. As far as dumping the test water back, no. Why would you put back the tested sample. Just toss it.

 

[ajw22]

Might be a dumb question but I am using the Taylor K-2006 Test Kit and was wondering if I can discard the water after testing back into the pool or do I discard it in the yard?

You see pool service guys tossing the test sample back into the pool. I doubt it pollutes the pool but I prefer tossing it in the dirt near the pool.

Another question, where are you keeping a log of your daily/weekly test results? Do you use your own google doc so you can review it at a later time? Are there better options to keep a record? I'm planning on getting rid of my pool servicing company since they let it get to this cloudy condition and increased the CYA/Calcium Hardness to the max level but I did like that they would send me the results.

PoolMath

DIY Pool Care: The Benefits of Taking Charge of Your Pool Maintenance - Further Reading

(Redirected from Phasing out the Pool Guy)

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Oly]

Dump unnecessary chemicals into my sparkling pool?

 

[Newdude]

I never saw it any ill affects dumping in the mulch or grass. I would then freely rinse everything in the pool not worried about the 2 drops of test material.

I guess you could bring a small bucket/container and dump that in a sink afterwards if you only have patio nearby.

 

[giant_donut]

I saw the pool servicing folks toss it back in the pool so wasn't sure if that is the norm. I'll just be tossing it in the yard.
Pool Math FTW.

Thanks All!

 

[Dtkokay]

I don't see any harm with dumping the test water back into the pool because it's such a small amount compared to the pool. But I don't do it. I pour it into my garage sink or into the landscaping.

As for tracking test results, the Pool Math app is the easy button. It's a few dollars a year for a subscription, but it's totally worth it. It saves your historical results and you can even export the results if you want to get geeky.

 

[Newdude]

Not your concern but for future readers, I’ve seen that the salt test is real bad for the pool (silver nitrate ?). That one needs to stay out for sure.

 

[Homebrewale]

I do all my testing sitting at a table on my deck. I have a small bucket I dump each of the samples into when done. Then I just dump the water in the tub in my laundry room.

 

[wireform]

As for tracking test results, the Pool Math app is the easy button. It's a few dollars a year for a subscription, but it's totally worth it. It saves your historical results and you can even export the results if you want to get geeky.

Now if you want us to see the logs you'll have to upload them, then the geeksqad can be even more resourceful.

 

[ajw22]

Now if you want us to see the logs you'll have to upload them, then the geeksqad can be even more resourceful.

On PoolMath you just need to turn the SHARING toggle on for it to be connected with your profile here.

Nothing to Upload.

 

[wireform]

On PoolMath you just need to turn the SHARING toggle on for it to be connected with your profile here.

Nothing to Upload.

Correct was a slip of the brain

 

[sharp7823]

I have 2" or 3" area drains in the concrete on one side my pool. I dump mine there and the metal grate catches the speed stir bean so I don't lose it.

 

[BowserB]

This thread has me a little bit confused. Am I the only person who does his water testing indoors? After collecting my elbow deep sample, I work in the kitchen next to the sink. It's convenient for rinsing containers after each test or for pouring out after a test. I do walk outside for the CYA test so I can hold the test tube in my shadow. After I've finished I pour the leftover sample water in the sink drain as well. I don't pour anything into the pool or in the yard. I give the vials a quick rinse in reverse osmosis filtered water and leave all the containers standing until dry. I do write down my results and compare from one time to the next. Do others do your testing outdoors? Frankly I prefer to work in air conditioned comfort rather than outside at 90 degrees and 85% relative humidity and in the wind. My TF-100 test kit is stored (after all is dry) under a bathroom sink.

 

[ajw22]

Do others do your testing outdoors?

Depends. If it is a nice day I may sit on the side of my spa and run some tests. Otherwise I may take it inside.

I usually do the pH and OTO chlorine test outside before I do the more complicated tests. Often if pH is good and OTO chlorine says there is chlorine then I am done testing that day.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

This thread has me a little bit confused. Am I the only person who does his water testing indoors? After collecting my elbow deep sample, I work in the kitchen next to the sink. It's convenient for rinsing containers after each test or for pouring out after a test. I do walk outside for the CYA test so I can hold the test tube in my shadow. After I've finished I pour the leftover sample water in the sink drain as well.

I do exactly the same. My test kit lives in a kitchen cabinet. I use a free Leslie's test bottle to bring pool water into the kitchen. I see no reason to lug my kit outdoors only to bring it back in again.

 

[magiteck]

A few folks have mentioned the Poolmath sharing feature, which is super useful. @giant_bronut if you click on my username (and many others here) you’ll see there’s a button to go to my Poolmath logs. That should give you an idea of how useful the app can be for tracking your data over time.

If you want to share your logs like that to make it easier for everyone here to help, it’s easy to do within the Poolmath app.

Click the settings/gear icon (at the top right in the iOS app), and then scroll to the bottom and there’s a toggle to “Link from TroubleFreePool.com user profile”. Just toggle that to on and you/we can see the logs from the web.

Note that to be able to add multiple logs you do have to subscribe in the app for like $8 per year — but in the scheme of things that’s like 2 jugs of chlorine and more than worth it for the ease of use.

 

[Cluckr7]

I think it’s a best practice for me at least not to dump any reagents in your pool or yard. Pool because you swim in it and yard because most safety data sheets for these reagents say not to release into the environment. I recognize dilution is the solution to pollution but it’s just as easy to dump in the sink for me.

I also bring a sample from a plastic lab squeeze bottle with a little fine tip nozzle that I got on Amazon. I love this method as it makes dosing 10 ml or 25 ml so easy, and no chemical touches or is ever near my pool water.

I bring the water sample in this bottle into the house and test on the floor where it won’t spill onto my kitchen counter. Then I carefully dump the used test liquids down the sink and wipe the floor. If I had a utility room and sink I would do that instead but I don’t.

I accidentally spilled the salt test vial into my pool once and stressed about it, so it’s not worth the risk or stress to test near the pool or near food for me.

One of the salt reagents is hexavalent chromium which is also a carcinogen made famous from the movie Erin Brockovich. Guessing a little bit in a pool is not a big deal, but why risk it especially if you have kids. I now do the salt test outside away from my pool with gloves and will soon switch to strips since they are good enough for salt and that way I have one less chemical in my house. The gloves for the salt test are because the silver nitrate stains fingers turn a nice brown color for days.

I believe the OTO chlorine reagent is also a carcinogen. Again diluted in a pool, not sure it’s a big deal but why risk it?

 

[EnoughToBeDangerous]

I take a paper towel or napkin, and put it in the top of the contents of my kitchen trashcan. Often there is a used one there already so I don't need a fresh one. I then pour the reagent onto the napkin, and it is absorbed and goes out with the trash.

 

[kellyfair]

This thread has me a little bit confused. Am I the only person who does his water testing indoors? After collecting my elbow deep sample, I work in the kitchen next to the sink. It's convenient for rinsing containers after each test or for pouring out after a test. I do walk outside for the CYA test so I can hold the test tube in my shadow. After I've finished I pour the leftover sample water in the sink drain as well. I don't pour anything into the pool or in the yard. I give the vials a quick rinse in reverse osmosis filtered water and leave all the containers standing until dry. I do write down my results and compare from one time to the next. Do others do your testing outdoors? Frankly I prefer to work in air conditioned comfort rather than outside at 90 degrees and 85% relative humidity and in the wind. My TF-100 test kit is stored (after all is dry) under a bathroom sink.

I use a giant syringe to suck up enough water for my tests, then go to kitchen. I do ph test immediately, then fill the vials for other tests. Go back outside if I’m testing CYA, then dump everything in sink and rinse with plain old tap water.