Truth lies in the middle?

[Vukota12]

My Taylor kit says I have zero using 10 mil test but 2 different pool stores 20 mins apart showing wildly different CC results. Help!

 

[reggiehammond]

Neither result is trustworthy, but both point to a serious lack of chlorine in your water.
Trust your test kit; you’re the only one who cares about your pool.

Pool Care Basics
Test Kits Compared
SLAM Process

 

[Vukota12]

drop test on my taylor showed about 4PPM full and zero CC. Perplexed I am .

 

[JamesW]

Ignore the pool store and trust your reading.

Shred the papers and put the shreds in the compost where they will do some good.

 

[reggiehammond]

drop test on my taylor showed about 4PPM full and zero CC. Perplexed I am .

I would trust the FAS-DPD. It’s a simple test and allows you to see FC and CC separately.
With that said, are you familiar with SLAM Process?

 

[Vukota12]

Yes I am!

 

[Vukota12]

I do find it odd that both tests are identical basically except for the CC.

 

[Bperry]

I do find it odd that both tests are identical basically except for the CC.

That’s why TFP recommends not trusting pool store testing. Today the only difference is CC, tomorrow it’s some other item. It’s a super common experience and why testing your own water is important.

 

[Vukota12]

That’s why TFP recommends not trusting pool store testing. Today the only difference is CC, tomorrow it’s some other item. It’s a super common experience and why testing your own water is important.

Just texted again myself and I have zero combined. 5 drops of R-0003 and not even a faint tinge of pink.

 

[gingrbredman]

Out of curiosity, why would you go out of your way to two different pool stores to get the testing done when you have a proper test kit?

I am not sure I would put too much correlation into the fact both pool stores got it wrong at the same time. Like cheating off the dumbest two kids in the class, if they both got it wrong at the same time there must be something to it.? There isn't, they are just both wrong at the same time so why question your correct answer?

 

[Vukota12]

Out of curiosity, why would you go out of your way to two different pool stores to get the testing done when you have a proper test kit?

I am not sure I would put too much correlation into the fact both pool stores got it wrong at the same time. Like cheating off the dumbest two kids in the class, if they both got it wrong at the same time there must be something to it.? There isn't, they are just both wrong at the same time so why question your correct answer?

Just out of curiosity and it’s honestly in the same shopping center I had to go to to pick up a cake. The other store was half a mile from my home.

 

[dBsooner]

I do find it odd that both tests are identical basically except for the CC.

Today the only difference is CC, tomorrow it’s some other item

Well, technically speaking, more tests were different. I mean for FC/CC, the whole number matters the most, but still off. .26 vice .56 isn't a huge difference in FC. pH is definitely different, though doesn't matter because it's in the 7s. Salt was read differently as well, by almost 7%. TA matches well enough. Phopshpates are really close too, but who cares about them as long as you maintain CYA/FC. Odd one shows 0.1 Iron and Copper and the other shows none. What I found the most intriguing is the ONE test they almost ALWAYS mess up is CYA. And they both nailed 43 ppm. That's kinda ... well.. wow. What do you read your CYA at with your kit? I don't see any test logs in your PoolMath logs, just additions of chemicals.

 

[reggiehammond]

Just texted again myself and I have zero combined. 5 drops of R-0003 and not even a faint tinge of pink.

One consideration is that UV has a massive impact on CC elimination. If you pull a sample at first light with algae in the pool, I would expect different CC results than I would at 5pm after a full day of UV (from the sun).

 

[Bperry]

What do you read your CYA at with your kit? I don't see any test logs in your PoolMath logs, just additions of chemicals.

This is good feedback. It’s really hard to diagnose anything without a history of test results. Just logging the chlorine additions is not very useful.

 

[Vukota12]

Well, technically speaking, more tests were different. I mean for FC/CC, the whole number matters the most, but still off. .26 vice .56 isn't a huge difference in FC. pH is definitely different, though doesn't matter because it's in the 7s. Salt was read differently as well, by almost 7%. TA matches well enough. Phopshpates are really close too, but who cares about them as long as you maintain CYA/FC. Odd one shows 0.1 Iron and Copper and the other shows none. What I found the most intriguing is the ONE test they almost ALWAYS mess up is CYA. And they both nailed 43 ppm. That's kinda ... well.. wow. What do you read your CYA at with your kit? I don't see any test logs in your PoolMath logs, just additions of chemicals.

Really the only reason I get tested every few weeks at the store is for the CYA. The whole black dot thing is a PITA to me and my 56 year old eyes.

 

[Vukota12]

One consideration is that UV has a massive impact on CC elimination. If you pull a sample at first light with algae in the pool, I would expect different CC results than I would at 5pm after a full day of UV (from the sun).

All samples pulled around 8 AM before sun hits the pool.

 

[Bperry]

Really the only reason I get tested every few weeks at the store is for the CYA. The whole black dot thing is a PITA to me and my 56 year old eyes.

Even if you were blind, you could probably do more reliable CYA testing than the pool store. It doesn’t matter all that much if you’re 10ppm above or below so just do it yourself.

Fill the vial to the first line and check if the dot is visible. If it is, fill to the next line. Don’t bother trying to add drops inbetween the lines.