Ph Strip vs drop test, severe discrepancy (pic)

Jump to latest Follow Reply
E

elc

0
Jun 1, 2018
20
Oakley/CA
Took a Ph test of my pool with both the strip and drop test and they seem to be very different. I imagine the drop test is more accurate, but why the discrepancy? If I'm matching the color right on the drop test, it looks closest to 7.5. How would you interpret the color?

Also took the FC test with my TF100 and it took 10 drops to clear the pink fluid, which should be 5. The strip looks closer to the 10 than 5 in person.
 

Attachments

  • ph.jpg
    ph.jpg
    54.5 KB · Views: 187
If test strips weren't so unreliable we wouldn't vehemently rally against their use. Despite the thoughts a few industry members (and the occasional conspiracy inclined former member) TFP is not a ploy by Taylor or TFTeskits to sell K-2006 tests. Consumer test strips are designed to be sold as cheaply as possible and that quantity over quality shows through. Since we need accurate results to offer advice, test strips are no good. Some of my favorite strip results include CYA of 50 on a fresh fill (there is no CYA in fill water) and FC of 5 and TC of 1 (TC cannot be lower than FC).

The best thing test kits can measure is gravity. Hold them exactly 9.8 meters above a trash can and watch them hit the can exactly 1 second later.
 
Donldson said:
Hold them exactly 9.8 meters above a trash can and watch them hit the can exactly 1 second later.
Click to expand...
In 1 second, the strips would only fall half way (about 4.9 meters).

The time would be 1.414 seconds to fall 9.81 meters.

The closest you can get to 1 second is on Jupiter, where the fall would take about 0.87 seconds.
 
Donldson said:
If test strips weren't so unreliable we wouldn't vehemently rally against their use. Despite the thoughts a few industry members (and the occasional conspiracy inclined former member) TFP is not a ploy by Taylor or TFTeskits to sell K-2006 tests. Consumer test strips are designed to be sold as cheaply as possible and that quantity over quality shows through. Since we need accurate results to offer advice, test strips are no good. Some of my favorite strip results include CYA of 50 on a fresh fill (there is no CYA in fill water) and FC of 5 and TC of 1 (TC cannot be lower than FC).

The best thing test kits can measure is gravity. Hold them exactly 9.8 meters above a trash can and watch them hit the can exactly 1 second later.
Click to expand...

Don't forget about air resistance in a real world case. Those things are super light pieces of paper and definitely don't fall at the full acceleration of gravity.

There's no conspiracy by TFP to sell Taylor or TFTestKits, its a conspiracy by the Pool Stores to push people to Taylor. They're secretly getting paid by Taylor to increase Taylor's customer base.
 
One of the main bullet points in Pool School should be that no advice should be given if test strips or pool store results are provided (Bottom line). I know they are bad, but that is crazy going from a 6.2 to 7.5 (Big difference). I actually spoke to Taylor and they stated to view the vial in natural outdoor lighting. If I move the PH test away from the clouds, the color changes and it is easier for me to gauge the correct PH level.

After 4 years on the forum, anyone I know or meet with pool problems who asks for help receives the same answer.

1) You must order one of the test kits, which of course is always the TF-100 with the speed stir.
2) Join the forum

At least the first one is a must. Otherwise, I offer no advice. Just wasted time as they will go back to the pool store, get bad advice from other friends, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply