Test Kit arriving today...what should I do first?

[Steve Norman]

Ditching my Frog system today, as my new test kit should be arriving any moment. Taylor Service Complete Pool Water Test Kit K-2006C.

What is the very first thing I should do? I have read many articles on this site and I am completely overwhelmed.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Richard320]

Find you a plastic cup or pitcher or whatever to use to gather your sample. Rinse it a few times in the pool just because, then turn it upside and plunge it in up to your elbow. Right it and a biog bubble will come out and you'll have a sample taken from about 18" down.

I like to do pH first, then FC & CC. Those are the two time-sensitive tests. You can do the TC test that comes with the pH test, just to see for yourself how inaccurate it can be, or just skip it for now to avoid confusion.

Then TA, CH, and CYA.

It's okay to read the CYA, then pour it back into the mixing bottle and try again and again until you're happy with it. I like to get 3 tests within 5 of each other before I stop. With practice, that willonly take 3 tests. Early on it could take 10.

Familiarize yourself with Extended Test Kit Directions Archives - Trouble Free Pool so you know where to look if something seems weird.

If you're a more visual learner, TF100TestKit