Test kits comparison

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gorocket1981

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Jun 8, 2018
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Montreal, Canada
I am comparing TF-100 tests kit and Taylor K-2006C using the TFP comparison chart.

For the CYA tests, the chart says 15 tests for TF-100 and TF-100 XL and 25 tests for K-2006C. Is there an error in the chart?
Unless I am misunderstanding something, based on TF-100 site, the TF-100 kit comes with 8 oz of R-0013 reagent. The K-2006C comes with 2 oz of R-0013.
How is it possible to have less tests with more solution? If with 2 oz in K-2006C we do 25 tests, why it is not 100 tests in TF-100 for CYA?

Also, in TF-100, reagent R-0004, R-0005 and R-0006 are not present. What possibility are missing by not having these reagent. R-0004 is pH indicator solution so why it is not present in the kit to test for pH?
R-0005 and R-0006 are Acid and Base demand reagent. What is the impact of not having these?

Thanks!
 
The acid and base demand reagents that come with the K2006 are used to determine how much of either an acid or a base you need to add to the pool to get your pH where you want it. You don't need them because you are putting all your numbers (pH and total alkalinity and borates) into Pool Math and it calculates it for you. The only reagent you need is phenol red for determining the pH. I have the K2006 and have never even touched the re-agents that you don't get if you order the TF-100. You don't need them. Just ignore it. It's for a time before there were apps and websites and you had to look up things in books.

The TF-100 does include the pH indicator testing solution. Just not the base demand and acid demand because you never use them and don't need them. It has a different number than the Taylor kit but it's in there.
 
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The view tubes are different sizes. TF100 is about 1/2" diameter and 4"tall. K2006 use the side of the test block.

K2006 instructions say 7 ml and 7 ml
TF100 looks to be about 15 ml and 15 ml so you have enough to fill the tube.

R-004 is replaced by R-0014 because again the view tubes are different. They are not interchangeable.
Justin's got the acid and base demand tests covered.
 
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The C version comes with way more than 2 oz of cya reagent. That is the amount that comes in the non C version I think

The tf100 is the better value monetarily as it better aligns with the frequency of the various tests. Especially considering that Taylor states that the reagent should be replaced every year. So with the k2006c you will have a lot of some of the reagents left over after a year.
 
OK. So the downside of the TF-100 is that you requires more solution to do the same tests (for CYA at least) so you waste more solution to get the same result?
I don't know but 15 CYA tests is not that much? I am under the impression that it is a short number?

OK I understand for pH that it is a different solution to be used. It does the same thing as the other but just the tubes are different?
And thanks for the Acid and Base demand information.
 
gorocket1981 said:
OK. So the downside of the TF-100 is that you requires more solution to do the same tests (for CYA at least) so you waste more solution to get the same result?
I don't know but 15 CYA tests is not that much? I am under the impression that it is a short number?
Click to expand...
The bigger tube is much easier to read.

CYA gets tested 3 or 4 times as you're getting things dialed in, and then maybe monthly after that. 15 is more than enough for a year.
 
The tf100 uses enough Cya to be able to read down to 20 while the 2006c only reads down to 30. The extended range is a good thing about the tf100.

Yes the downside is wasting Cya if you know your results will be at least 30 or more. But you don't have to use the full amount. You can mark the tf100 mixing bottle with 10ml/20ml lines to save on reagent if you're going to be above 35 or so.
 
You can buy Taylor 9058 comparator block for about $12 online and then use R-0004 phenol red for testing instead of what's provided in the kit if you prefer to use the Taylor comparator over the TF-100.
 

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New member to the forum, but a long time TFP reader! This is my first post.
I'm so glad for the OP questions, as I have the same. Thank you to the OP for doing the research.
I'm struggling to decide which kit to purchase, and find over the years I like using a Taylor-type comparator which is not in the TF-100 kit. What is the comparator in the TF-100, or is there one? The comparator mentioned above is the Taylor 9058 for pH and a need to use R-0004 phenol red. So, to use the Taylor comparator with the TF-100, I would also need to purchase R-0004 separately? What about chlorine/bromine levels, along with pH in a comparator? Is that pointless?
Also, the TF-100 is the only kit with the OTO testing. I'm having trouble learning exactly what OTO is? Is it valuable?
Thanks so much for any help. I was hoping to find someone that has used both kits and could tell me pros and cons of each. I'm looking mostly for ease of use vs cost.
 
The TF100 uses taylor reagents. The only difference is that the pH test in the TF100 uses a smaller comparator block and thus different reagent. The CYA tube will also read down to 20ppm instead of 30ppm. The OTO chlorine test is a good rough test for chlorine that some people use for a few days between using the FAS-DPD test.

The TF-100 is a better value because you get more of the reagents that you actually need for the test that are done more often.
 
I have the K-2006C. I have an alternate view on the comparisons between the two kits. Both kits use Taylor reagents. Both are recommended quality kits. I have no personal experience with the TF-100. I have one year of experience with the K-2006C. My observations follow:

Since I'm on the west coast, it was appropriate for me to add shipping cost and delivery time to the equation. Then I had to confirm if I could purchase TF-100 on Amazon to make a true apples to apples comparison. However, I couldn't tell if I could add the XL Option on Amazon, which means ordering directly from TFtestkits. When adding shipping, delivery time and including the XL Option, the "prices" between the two are pretty much the same. To avoid shipping cost from TFtestkits add the speed stir which you'll want anyway. So the prices are still the same however the impatient shopper in me, wanting it now rather than waiting for a week, I bought the K-2006C.

For pH testing, I do use the R-005 and R-006 reagents. They are in the kit so I use them. I use the R-004 phenol red, 5 drops. I read the value, let's say 7.8. Then I add one drop of R-005 acid demand, it consistently reads .4 below the first value, so 7.4. If the pH test result is a little more difficult to determine if it's 7.7 or 7.8 or 7.9 using R-004. By using the acid demand R-005 it's easier to determine because I've consistently gotten .4 less with the R-005. So the difference between 7.8 and 8.0 is determined because I can see 7.5 using the R-005 means the first value using R-004 phenol read was 7.9

Now another caveat, is this level of precision necessary? Absolutely not. However, I am a little OCD with my pool now. I also use the 25 mil FAS-DPD testing for .2 determinations. If I need more reagents I'll just buy more.

Your mileage may vary. This is just what I do.
 
Very helpful. Thank you!

Somehow I was thinking the K-2006C might be easier to use, as I'm used to that type of comparator, and it looks like they have a nice color 'cheat sheet' that stores in the lid. I'm a fan of cheat sheets (in color). The Taylor case appears to allow the reagents to remain upright, which makes sense to me. And the blue case? Yes!

Well, I just ended up ordering the TF-100 with the speed stir as recommended. No added tax and free shipping, which I consider a good deal! (Thank you!) I'm sure I'll be completely happy with it, clear case and all! The inpatient shopper in me was going to go for the K-2006C, then discovered the speed stir is back-ordered until June 25. *sigh

Hopefully my new kit will be here in a week, so I'll try to be patient until then. As both of these kits are highly recommended on this forum, I know I can't go wrong.
Looking forward to seeing the numbers I get compared to my current method. Thanks again.
 
A couple of comments to the above good posts......

1. We always thought that the "view tube" for CYA in the TF-100 was a noticeably better tube (and test) than in the K-2006. While I still think that, it has turned out not to be a value that is easily understood and therefore not really a value if the end user doesn't perceive it. At some point the TF-100 may go to the 30-100 view tube but not for now. There was a comment about 15 tests......CYA should only need to be tested maybe 4-6 times in a swim season so that is easily two years worth, then it is probably time to order fresh reagent.

2. The TF-100 is available from TFtestkits in North Carolina or Pool Supply World in California for the same price. If I lived in California, I would speed up the delivery considerably just by ordering from Pool Supply World.

3.
I like using a Taylor-type comparator which is not in the TF-100 kit.
Click to expand...
Which comparator do you mean?

4. TFTestkits has never been a fan of the acid demand test, We think it is just too much trouble when the pH comparator block is so quick and Poolmath calcs the dosage.

5. The OTO test found in the TF-100 is a very reliable test if you need a quick check for chlorine. It is reliable but not precise so the TF-100 gives you both Chlorine tests.

6. The TF-100 was designed from the beginning to provide more of the reagents that you use most often and, over the course of your use, will be a better value per season. There is a complete refill set that makes the TF-100 a brand new kit when you get ready for it.

7. The K2006C and the TF-100 are the only two kits that are genuinely compatible with the methods taught on this forum. They both use Taylor reagents and Taylor is the Gold Standard for pool testing. Either of these kits will provide the tests you need to manage your pool using TFPC.
 
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duraleigh said:
3. Which comparator do you mean?
Click to expand...

justinc said:
You can buy Taylor 9058 comparator block for about $12 online and then use R-0004 phenol red for testing instead of what's provided in the kit if you prefer to use the Taylor comparator over the TF-100.
Click to expand...

I'm used to using a comparator (just learned from this forum what they're called!) and figured that would be a deciding factor on which kit to purchase.
 
The only thing you use a color matching comparator for is the pH test ... in both kits.
The TF-100 adds the yellow OTO chlorine color matching test too.
All the other tests (besides CYA) you count drops to see a color change ... not a color comparison guessing game ;)
 
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