Testing beside the pool

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T

tfpnumerouno

Member
Sep 4, 2024
8
Dayton/OH
Pool Size
14500
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Aqua Rite (T-9)
I am a new pool owner, as well as a new TF-Pro-Salt test kit owner. I've run through tests a couple of time, and don't have any questions yet on the topic of specific tests. I am trying to get a process down, using the items supplied in the kit, and one I can repeatedly use from beside the pool sitting at a table under an umbrella.

Right now I collect a water sample using a plastic bottle (one given away by Leslie's pool to take in for them to sample) and go to my table. I have a pad I sit down on the table in case I spill something, a couple paper towels, and the test kit. I start the tests, but then after a test I need to empty the test cylinder and rinse it. That means getting up and going about 30 feet to an outdoor spigot/hose, where I can rinse the cylinder in the yard, and presumably contaminate the cylinder slightly with spigot water for the next test. I shake it while returning to my spot, and if big drops dry with the paper towel. Then move on to the next test. It looks like some of you may get extra cylinders and magnetic stir bars to do all your tests in one sitting, and rinse them after all tests are complete. For those without the extra cylinders, what is your process? Is a couple more cylinders the only optimization?

I appreciate your ideas.
 
I, as many do, test my water in my kitchen. I also have to go to the sink to rinse my cylinders so there is no difference there. Just no wind to deal with on windy days. The only test done outside is CYA. I too use a Leslies bottle. At least it's good for something.
 
You have a good system. But that is way too much walking for me.

I get a large clean drinking glass and take my sample ensuring I have way too much pool water for my testing needs.

I then crack open a drink and set it on the side table. Then begin my first test using a syringe to pull the water from the glass and fill the test cylinder to the appropriate amount, while seated comfortably in the shade provided by our deck umbrellas. Drop the cylinder on the speedstir and commence testing. When the first test is complete, I dump the test cylinder in the landscape rocks behind me. Fill the container again using more pool water, shake, dump, dry with paper towel. Take a drink of my beverage and then repeat said process until all tests (except CYA) are complete. CYA is the same process, but I have to stand up and turn my back to the sun. I hate that one because there's so much work involved with standing up.
 
TinFoilHat said:
I, as many do, test my water in my kitchen. I also have to go to the sink to rinse my cylinders so there is no difference there. Just no wind to deal with on windy days. The only test done outside is CYA. I too use a Leslies bottle. At least it's good for something.
Click to expand...
I did my first tests indoor, and rinsed in the kitchen sink. Then I read about staining, and since our sink is white solid surface, I didn't know if it would stain if I accidentally missed the drain.
 
I think it's WAY easier to test in the kitchen near the sink. I bring in my full water sample bottle and test on the countertop. I empty the finished test in the sink, rinse the cylinder and magnet with sink water, and then rinse both with my pool water sample bottle. I've tried testing out by the pool, but the rinsing out there is not easy.
 
Any contaminates ultimately reach groundwater somewhere. Be good stewards...Better to have it go through the municipal sewage system and be handled properly. Please use the sanitary system. (septic aside).
 
thetekgeek said:
You have a good system. But that is way too much walking for me.

I get a large clean drinking glass and take my sample ensuring I have way too much pool water for my testing needs.

I then crack open a drink and set it on the side table. Then begin my first test using a syringe to pull the water from the glass and fill the test cylinder to the appropriate amount, while seated comfortably in the shade provided by our deck umbrellas. Drop the cylinder on the speedstir and commence testing. When the first test is complete, I dump the test cylinder in the landscape rocks behind me. Fill the container again using more pool water, shake, dump, dry with paper towel. Take a drink of my beverage and then repeat said process until all tests (except CYA) are complete. CYA is the same process, but I have to stand up and turn my back to the sun. I hate that one because there's so much work involved with standing up.
Click to expand...
Ok, so you use more sample water to rinse, rather than a spigot. That would save a few steps. My table is about 5 feet from yard... if the grass finally comes in. It was seeded this spring and is starting to look more green than straw, so getting there. I can see how a beverage could be an important thing to adopt in the process.
 
Using a plastic rinse/wash bottle works well -


You can simply toss a completed test sample onto the grass or rock and then use pool water to rinse out your vial. Rinse and discard three times and the test vial is good to go for the next test. No need to walk over to the spigot.
 
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Sampling tube (length of PVC pipe with a cap on each end with a hole drilled in it - think really big straw - cover the hole, dip, uncover the hole, straw fills, cover the hold, hold over a cup, uncover, water fills the cup).
Take the cup to the couch where I have 4 nice clean test tubes and 4 stir pellets for my SmartStir. Tubes are like $3, stir pellets maybe $6 ?
Using an old CYA testing bottle (maybe $3 more), suck up some water, use that to fill the tubes as required.
Run the tests I need. Optional : drink coffee
Flush the completed tests down the laundry sink where it goes into the septic - best option I have given we're not on municipal sewage.
 
SJPoe said:
Sampling tube (length of PVC pipe with a cap on each end with a hole drilled in it - think really big straw - cover the hole, dip, uncover the hole, straw fills, cover the hold, hold over a cup, uncover, water fills the cup).
Take the cup to the couch where I have 4 nice clean test tubes and 4 stir pellets for my SmartStir. Tubes are like $3, stir pellets maybe $6 ?
Using an old CYA testing bottle (maybe $3 more), suck up some water, use that to fill the tubes as required.
Run the tests I need. Optional : drink coffee
Flush the completed tests down the laundry sink where it goes into the septic - best option I have given we're not on municipal sewage.
Click to expand...
Interesting idea on the sampling tube.
 
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