Sulfate Testing Strips

[Zeppelin_Heaven]

I've been using dry acid for many years. Now I'm back to using muriatic acid (14%). My concrete kool deck needs to be redone and I want to make sure the sulfate levels in the water isn't high enough to damage the new deck from all the splashes.

I looked here for strips: Macherey-Nagel, 91329, Quantofix Sulfate, Box Of 100 Strips: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Is this good enough to test the sulfate levels in the water or do I need something else? Thanks.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

300ppm or greater is a problem. You’ll probably need to dechlorinate the water sample first. Pull a sample and let it sit for a day or two before you measure it. Without some kind of standard, it’s hard to know if it works. Maybe try mixing up a solution of Epsom Salt.

 

[Zeppelin_Heaven]

300ppm or greater is a problem. You’ll probably need to dechlorinate the water sample first. Pull a sample and let it sit for a day or two before you measure it. Without some kind of standard, it’s hard to know if it works. Maybe try mixing up a solution of Epsom Salt.

Thanks. I'm surprised there isn't more on this considering how much dry acid I see go flying off the shelves. Sulfate testing is puzzling mystery for the average pool owner. Water around here is a commodity so I'm not a big fan of draining the pool. I need a gauge to tell me whether it is indeed the sulfates that are causing my kool deck to unravel or its high mileage (splashes, walking, sun, etc.).

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Sulfates are generally hard to measure without a testing lab being involved. There are no simple analytical chemistry methods to determine concentrations without access to specialized equipment. The test strips are not super accurate. I would consider them just a ballpark value.