Reading Taylor Chlorine pH test

[Veggiepatch70]

Now that I've taken the plunge and gone full TFP, I've acquired my first Taylor test kit. Went with the most basic (k-1004) since our pool is fully drained in fall and refilled in spring.

Any helpful hints on accurately reading the FC TC pH on the little test cube? I thought maybe putting something white behind it? I *think* my pH is on the higher side but I want to be sure I'm reading correctly before making an adjustment.

Thanks!

 

[duraleigh]

Some like a white card behind it, others it doesn't seem to matter. here's what you are looking for....

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

 

[Richard320]

I like a white background. Luckily, there's usually a white resin chair nearby to serve as the background.

I hold the tester at arm's length and squint until it gets fuzzy and the numbers are unreadable. Then the colors seem easier to differentiate.

 

[Veggiepatch70]

Thanks! I tried the white background and it was much easier to read ?

pH is definitely on the high side, matches the 8.2 box on the tester (I think it ticked up yesterday when I adjusted alkalinity with baking soda) but I have the stabilizer sock hanging now, so I'm hoping that it'll tick back down a touch once that is finished dissolving and circulates??