Who to Believe?

[Cekkk]

So I ran Taylor chlorine, pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness and CYA tests today and was surprised to see that some tests came out the opposite of the test strips results.

For one, strip showed normal pH, Taylor below 7.

I'm treating based on Taylor numbers. As still a newbie, is this unusual and is my decision to go Taylor correct and safe?

 

[JohnT]

That is why we don’t recommend test strips. Go with the Taylor results.

 

[Wobblerlorri]

Always believe the test kit. Strips are almost no better than guessing, which is why we call them "guess strips."

 

[frogabog]

Do you happen to be SLAMming your pool? If so, the pH test isn't going to be accurate.

And yes, the test strips are junk. Throw them away, there's no reason to second guess the Taylor kit which you spent good money on so that you could have accurate test results.

 

[markayash]

Strips showed my cya at 40 so i added more still 40 so added more. Got taylor and it was over 100. I use the strips to see if my chlorine is good as in above 10 If its not the same color i get the test kit out.

 

[Wobblerlorri]

You need to throw away the test strips. They're junk and, as you've seen, not accurate.

You can't be half "fast" about your pool chemistry. Yes, the strips are quick and easy. Trouble is, they aren't right. You've got to start trusting your test kit. Best way to do that is by throwing out the guess strips. Using your kit as a backup to test your strips is an exercise in futility, and you should stop doing it.

Just throw out the strips and trust your kit. You'll be glad you did.