Pool Test Kits - Further Reading

Revision as of 20:08, 12 August 2019 by Leebo (talk | contribs) (→‎K-2005)

Complete Test Kits

K-2005

The Taylor K-2005 is a VERY basic kit that gets pushed by many larger “pool stores” who feel it will kill a user if their Chlorine level EVER goes above 5ppm. It tests pH, TA, CH, CYA VERY will but it’s shortfall is how it tests Chlorine levels. The K-2005 uses a “OTO” kit to test chlorine which has two very large pitfalls. First, the chlorine test will NOT show accurate results above 5parts per million chlorine. This is an issue if you wish to follow TFP methods, as we teach that it’s best to maintain a ratio of chlorine to CYA, not just a firm 1-4ppm.

The second MAJOR pitfall of the OTO test is that it uses “color matching.” You add a few drops of reagent to the water and then match the colors. It’s easy to mismatch the true levels. In short, the K-2005 is a good kit.........it’s just not very accurate in chlorine testing.

TFP Methods requiring FC of more than 5, such as the SLAM Process and higher CYA levels, cannot be tested with the OTO test in the K-2005. You need the FAS/DPD chlorine test in the K-2006C or TF-100.

If you have the K-2005 you can separately buy the FAS/DPD Chlorine Test to make your kit equivalent to the K-2006.

Taylor K-2006

The K-2006 is a step up from the K-2005 test kit. It does great at testing chlorine as it contains the “FAS/DPD” test. This allows a user to test chlorine well above 5ppm plus the drops make it very accurate to get your true level. Additionally, the K-2006 tests for pH, TA, CH, and CYA just like the K-2005 does. It’s a good basic kit and is the “minimum” a user should consider. The pitfall here is the small amount of reagent. Users who buy this kit often end up ordering refills rather quickly.

Taylor K-2006C

The K-2006C kit is the next step up. This kit is a very complete set as it is the K-2006 “supersized.” It does a good job giving you accurate results PLUS contains more reagents. You’re not going to run out of test supplies for a while with this kit.

TF-100

The TF-100 uses Taylor reagents and has the same tests as the K-2006C. The TF-100 is packaged by TfTestKits.net. The quantity of each reagent is a bit different then the K-2006C and is sized for the frequency of tests you do following the TFPC Methods.

This kit does a great job testing all levels and is less expensive than the K-2006C. It uses the same chemicals and will provide the same results.........it’s just packaged by TfTestKits, not Taylor.

If you are planning to do a lot of chlorine testing due to algae, planning the SLAM Process, or doing a Baquacil conversion, then you may want to order the XL Option and have additional reagents for the test.

Test Kits Compared

You can see a breakdown of how many “tests” you can expect from each kit at Test Kits Compared.

Test Kit Accessories

Speedstir Magnetic Stirrer

The Speedstir Magnetic Stirrer makes testing easier and more accurate by automatic mixing instead of hand swirling tests.