Out of R-0013 - Strips?

[cannoncd]

I tried to give my pool water the first test of the season, but the first test I went to do (CYA) I discovered I was out of the R-0013 reagent! How frustrating. I went around to the local pool shops and Wal-mart to see if they had any refill reagent, but no luck. The best I could find was some testing strips, which I reluctantly purchased.

I've now got a 32oz R-0013 on the way from Amazon. I know strips are frowned upon here - but are they reliable enough to use in the short-term (and base my initial pool opening chemistry from them)? It was raining yesterday so I didn't bother to test, but I will want to when I get home today.

 

[pooldv]

I would just wait for the reagent.

 

[woodyp]

I'd venture to say that the strips give their most UNreliable readings on the CYA test than all others.

 

[BestJoeyEver]

Strips are notoriously bad for cya. I would venture to say that of all the things you can measure with strips, cya will be LEAST reliable. Use them if you want, but you're debasing your accuracy to guessing.

 

[cannoncd]

Dang - seems unanimous. I'll probably test it since I bought the strips, and if it gives me a crazy value I'll just wait for the reagent before doing any follow on chemistry.

For the first test after opening (I've only added liquid chlorine so far) should I expect to see a fairly low CYA?

 

[BestJoeyEver]

Here's a thought. Do you know what your CYA was when you closed? It won't be higher than that, so start your slam if you want based on your target CYA (unless you suspect there is none). Alternatively, get Amazon prime same day drone shipping.

 

[cannoncd]

Unfortunately, I don't; but I expect it was on the lower side. I think that's enough for me to start from though. Thanks for the idea.

I've got Amazon Prime, but the quickest they could promise delivery was the 31st. I think I'll just SWAG it and adjust once juice gets here.