Leslie’s vs Taylor test

[poolgirltx01]

This is the 50/50, I’m getting 70ish maybe 75? So 150?

 

[generessler]

Wow, the snarky-ness is a bit high compared to the last time I posted in this group. I always test and maintain my pool on my own, without using Leslie’s overpriced Crud, but my reagents are old, which is why I was questioning their validity. My CYA hasn’t been this high in a very long time and I did not maintain my pool over the winter. So as I was getting readings >100 I was very much hoping Leslie’s were more accurate than my own. I get the hate for Leslie’s I don’t care for them either, I have been using the TFP app and a Taylor K2006 test kit since 2019 but dang y’all, simmer down a bit.

I'm guessing there's some frustration on the part of the experts because they've seen literally hundreds of people make wrong decisions, spend money uselessly, and/or become totally confused due to pool store tests.

Anyway here's a thought. Whenever I'm in doubt, I buy a fresh K2006 reagent refill from TF Test Kits (as luck would have it, they're currently 20% off for the annual spring sale!) and check my old ones against the new. If they match pretty well, I keep using the old ones for another couple of months, then compare again. It's not a perfect strategy because if you're too paranoid you can end up with more reagents than needed, but it does increase confidence, which has its own value.

 

[Newdude]

This is the 50/50, I’m getting 70ish maybe 75? So 150?

If it was 55 in August, 21 lbs of CYA was added since, or 38 lbs of trichlor.

Plus enough to degrade 20 or so over the 6 months since, plus enough to balance 15 inches of rain.

It's just not adding up. Can you detail your exact testing process. (I know I KNOW). But I've goofed worse then doing something backwards so humor me.


Also, as an aside, we round up to the 10s for CYA. At that point, only fill to the 10s and it's way easier to know it's not a 40 and not a 60. (Etc)

 

[poolgirltx01]

If it was 55 in August, 21 lbs of CYA was added since, or 38 lbs of trichlor.

Plus enough to degrade 20 or so over the 6 months since, plus enough to balance 15 inches of rain.

It's just not adding up. Can you detail your exact testing process. (I know I KNOW). But I've goofed worse then doing something backwards so humor me.


Also, as an aside, we round up to the 10s for CYA. At that point, only fill to the 10s and it's way easier to know it's not a 40 and not a 60. (Etc)

I have the speed stir from Taylor tech. So I add 7ml (measured with a medical syringe) of pool water and 7ml of CYA solution into the mixing cylinder and let the speed stir mix for 30+ seconds. I rinse out the syringe, fill it with the mixed solution and then slowly add to the CYA test tube until I can no longer see the black dot. I’m usually holding the test tube at about waist height. Once the black dot isn’t visible I look at the corresponding line at about eye level to get the reading.

Yay or nay? Did I pass the test or have I been doing it wrong all along?

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Try it the way it is specified. The SpeedStir is not involved in this particular test.

Put the pool water and the reagent in the plastic mixing bottle and shake by hand for 30 seconds before pouring into the calibrated cylinder. See whether you get a different result.

 

[Newdude]

Yay or nay? Did I pass the test or have I been doing it wrong all along?

It can't hurt to try it the hand mixed way. Maybe the speed stir is frothing it.

As crazy as that sounds, it's less crazy than you picking up 100+ CYA in 6.5 months without adding any of significance.

 

[rjb1211]

I had used Leslie's before Al Gore invented the internet. Once the net was up I learned about the problems with their testing and how to maintain the pool without their stuff. I had the pool replastered one year and was waiting for my test kit to be delivered when the water was delivered from a hauler so I took a sample to Leslie's. They told my my CYA was 130 and the chlorine level was 10. I told the kid that was impossible so the manager redid the tests and had those values at zero.

I don't have an answer for your high CYA readings but that is a test I am never sure of so I just ordered the Standard Sampler from TFtestkits while I was getting new reagents. That will eliminate any need to go to Leslie's or the other store in my area that does testing for a second opinion.

 

[pb4uswim]

I don't have an answer for your high CYA readings but that is a test I am never sure of so I just ordered the Standard Sampler from TFtestkits while I was getting new reagents. That will eliminate any need to go to Leslie's or the other store in my area that does testing for a second opinion.

I was thinking the same thing. Get the standard sample for CYA.

R-7065 CYA Standard 50ppm (2oz)

tftestkits.net

 

[Lake Placid]

Maybe I shocked the Crud out of it sometime time in September and don’t remember, but even still I wouldn’t have expected my CYA to go up that much.

What type of chlorine may you have potentially shocked the crud out of it with?

 

[proavia]

@poolgirltx01 - you've mentioned a couple times in this thread that your reagents are old.
How old?

While the R-0013 is probably one of the more stable, long lasting reagents (when properly stored), why take a chance using old reagents. Having fresh reagents will allow you to compare the older reagent to fresh reagent - much better than using a pool store test to compare your testing to.

Use the test instructions and testing equipment specified for the CYA test.
Remove as many testing variances as possible.
You can also clean your vials and syringes with rubbing alcohol (let the alcohol fully evaporate/dry and rinse the vials/syringes with fresh pool water before testing again).

During the month of March is a great time to order a reagent refill kit from TFTestkits during their March sale.
Start with fresh reagents.

 

[poolgirltx01]

@poolgirltx01 - you've mentioned a couple times in this thread that your reagents are old.
How old?

While the R-0013 is probably one of the more stable, long lasting reagents (when properly stored), why take a chance using old reagents. Having fresh reagents will allow you to compare the older reagent to fresh reagent - much better than using a pool store test to compare your testing to.

Use the test instructions and testing equipment specified for the CYA test.
Remove as many testing variances as possible.
You can also clean your vials and syringes with rubbing alcohol (let the alcohol fully evaporate/dry and rinse the vials/syringes with fresh pool water before testing again).

During the month of March is a great time to order a reagent refill kit from TFTestkits during their March sale.
Start with fresh reagents.

I have already ordered the TF-100 it shipped today. I was using what I had and was not happy with the CYA results I received so I thought I would compare with Leslie's. Obviously not the right call, but it was the easiest since getting a new test kit will take a minimum of 3 days.

 

[poolgirltx01]

I have another question for the pros today. I’m gonna vacuum the pool today and I as I likely need to waste a substantial amount of water anyways I was going to vacuum to waste, which I have never done. I have a dedicated suction line for a vacuum, but what would be the best steps to follow? Should I use the suction line or the skimmer? Close the main drain completely or half way?

 

[Newdude]

Either suction leg will do the same thing. Just send it to waste. Most find they need to close the main drain for better suction.

 

[poolgirltx01]

Well today has been a busy pool day. I’m glad I took off the week to get the pool ready for summer time. Fingers crossed, but I think that after doing a good backwash this morning, followed by vacuuming to waste and then refilling that maybe my CYA is finally at a more acceptable level. Also had to take apart my robot vac since it was having performance issues. Clogged impeller and missing rapid drain flap, now waiting for that part to come in so I stole my mom’s robot vac . I’ve made a good amount of progress on the pool since Sunday, I only wish chlorine prices would plummet because at $3.99/gal for 10% this week ain’t gonna be cheap .

 

[Newdude]

but I think that after doing a good backwash this morning, followed by vacuuming to waste and then refilling that maybe my CYA is finally at a more acceptable level.

It would have to be drained half to lower the CYA half.

Is the 70 mixing by hand ? Maybe it was the speed stir ?

 

[poolgirltx01]

It would have to be drained half to lower the CYA half.

Is the 70 mixing by hand ? Maybe it was the speed stir ?

I did mix it by hand. I also mixed it by hand this morning before doing anything with the pool and got 90…. So maybe it is the speed stir? When I got 70 this evening, I also did the 50/50 and even at 40 I could still see the black dot very clearly. I have wasted quite a bit since Sunday. I wouldn’t say half, but at least 25%. Hopefully when the new TF-100 test kit gets here on Friday I’ll have more confidence in my numbers.

 

[Newdude]

So maybe it is the speed stir? When I got 70 this evening, I also did the 50/50 and even at 40 I could still see the black dot very clearly. I have wasted quite a bit since Sunday. I wouldn’t say half, but at least 25%.

Ok then. Between the 2, it's looking much better.


And the pool itself is REALLY looking better.

 

[poolgirltx01]

Day 5! We’re not 100% yet, but I can actually see the print on the vinyl in the deep end! Chlorine seems to have held up really well overnight although I can’t test the CC since I’ve been out of the reagent for a long time. New test kit says it will be here today, hopefully I won’t have to get spend another $100 chlorine before the week is over .

 

[Newdude]

Chlorine seems to have held up really well overnight

It gets much better as the SLAM progresses. You'll likely be down to typical daily FC loss soon. (Which is higher from the elevated FC, but not crazy like it was).

Brush and vac daily and dose back to SLAM when necessary. You go this !!!

 

[poolgirltx01]

It gets much better as the SLAM progresses. You'll likely be down to typical daily FC loss soon. (Which is higher from the elevated FC, but not crazy like it was).

Brush and vac daily and dose back to SLAM when necessary. You go this !!!

So the new test kit came in…. Y’all this CYA testing, WHEW. I’m getting 40!! I did the new reagents first, then old reagents, and then to compare I put the old reagents in the old test tube… 40,40,70.