Salt test strips

[Pool_Mike]

I was at my local Pool Warehouse. Talking with an employee, he suggested that I should test my salt level with salt strips. He stated that the Aqua-Rite SWG guage is not ver accurate.

Anyways, I got some salt test strips.

Here are the results:

Aqua-Rite said I was at 2800, the salt test strip (put h20 from the pool into a cup and dip the strip/results in about 2-3 minutes), said I was at 2400.

When looking in my manual for 20,000 gallon pool and to run @ 3200, it said I needed *if I remember correct* 140lbs of salt. So I got 3 bag @ 40lbs each. Now my aqua-rite is reading just @ 3400.

-My question is, which should I go by AquaRite or Salt test strips? Thanks

[Poolsean]

Test with the strips again.
IF the Aquarite unit is correct, adding 120 lbs of salt and going from 2800 ppm to 3400 ppm means your pool is approximately 23-24,000 gallons.
IF your test strips shows that you went from 2400 ppm to 3100 ppm, this would be more consistent with the 20,500 gallons you indicate your pool is.
However, ultimately it will depend on what the Aquarite is reading, as the internal protection (high salt cutoff) is based upon this value of salt.

Make sure you're following the directions on the salt strip bottle. If it is the type that has a scale in the middle of the strip and a yellow "thread" on the top, this typically takes 4 to 10 minutes and is considered a complete test when the yellow thread turns brown (dark). Make sure you compare the results to the same bottle you took the test strip from as bottles vary from lot # to lot #. Never take a strip out when your hands are wet as it can contaminate the rest of the strips and ruin them.

[Pool_Mike]

Test with the strips again.
IF the Aquarite unit is correct, adding 120 lbs of salt and going from 2800 ppm to 3400 ppm means your pool is approximately 23-24,000 gallons.
IF your test strips shows that you went from 2400 ppm to 3100 ppm, this would be more consistent with the 20,500 gallons you indicate your pool is.
However, ultimately it will depend on what the Aquarite is reading, as the internal protection (high salt cutoff) is based upon this value of salt.

Make sure you're following the directions on the salt strip bottle. If it is the type that has a scale in the middle of the strip and a yellow "thread" on the top, this typically takes 4 to 10 minutes and is considered a complete test when the yellow thread turns brown (dark). Make sure you compare the results to the same bottle you took the test strip from as bottles vary from lot # to lot #. Never take a strip out when your hands are wet as it can contaminate the rest of the strips and ruin them.


Sounds good. I'll try the test strip.

I'm really not for sure how many exact gallons my pool is, but by the size, is what I got. Not a pool expert, but on the Aquar-Rite spec sheet that tells how many pounds of salt needed is what I went by, but I will post my results from the test strip when I get home 2day. Thanks!1

[waterbear]

I have checked the AquaChek White salt test strips on numerous occasions against both a Taylor salt test kit and properly calibated salt meters (both Goldline and LaMotte) and am more than satisfied that this is one test strip that is actually worth it's salt!:D They have been right on the money each time! It IS important to allow enough time for the test to complete (As Poolsean said, 4-10 minutes or until the bar at the top is dark all the way across, my expreience has been around 10 minutes) and be sure to put them in no more than about an inch of water. Also, as Poolsean said, each bottle is individually calibrated so only use the scale on the bottle the strip came out of when checking your results or they won't be correct!

[Pool_Mike]

Half inch, darn, I think I had them in about 3/4 of an inch. :(

It was dark brown @ the top and then read the test :D

[Pool_Mike]

Ok,


1st of, I just want to say I am only running the pump 4hrs a day now. I turned it down about a week ago. It used to run 8 hrs then.

So here are the new salt strip results:

5.6 = 3240 ppm

On my AquaRite guage is shows a reading of 3500.

If aquarite is correct, it seems I am a little over.

I turned down the aquarite to 30. It was @ 40. Not sure it if will make a difference or not.

Since water and swimming is still a little cold, I think by spring, it will be @ its correct reading. What do you guys say right now? Thanks

[Pool_Mike]

Here is the test I used:

http://www.aquachek.com/images/AC_cons_white.jpg

I mean if that helps.

[Pool_Mike]

Ok, wife just called. It seems that the guage now shows 3700.... wtf?!?!?!

[waterbear]

The Aquarite uses conductivity to approximate the salt level and it will vary with tmerpature. The test strips use a chemical test for the chloride ion they are measureing a different thing. Also, the Aquarite displays an average salt reading unless you take an 'instant' salt reading which is your salt level (conductivity) at the moment you take it. (Read the manual for you unit for further info.)
I would not lose any sleep over these differences between a chemcal test and a conductivity test that is not temperature compensated. I would take an instant reading and if it is within a couple of hundred ppm of the strip I wouldn't lose any sleep over it and just enjoy the pool!

[Pool_Mike]

The Aquarite uses conductivity to approximate the salt level and it will vary with tmerpature. The test strips use a chemical test for the chloride ion they are measureing a different thing. Also, the Aquarite displays an average salt reading unless you take an 'instant' salt reading which is your salt level (conductivity) at the moment you take it. (Read the manual for you unit for further info.)
I would not lose any sleep over these differences between a chemcal test and a conductivity test that is not temperature compensated. I would take an instant reading and if it is within a couple of hundred ppm of the strip I wouldn't lose any sleep over it and just enjoy the pool!

Thank you waterbear. It was just beating me to death man! I was never over like that. Then the strip saying right now I am at and the aquarrite guage was little over as you said couple 100 ppm. I mean I am not swimming in it, so I should not sweat it now. ~But thank you for your input, makes me fell more comfortable.

[Sweet]

Quote from Goldline Controls AquaRite FAQ http://www.goldlinecontrols.com/Support/faq_aquarite.aspx#ar_faq12




Why doesn’t the salt reading match a tester?
The chlorinator, as well as any tester has a tolerance and when tested, commonly the unit will not read exactly the same as a tester. Most test units as well as the chlorinator have a tolerance of roughly 100-300PPM so seeing readings 400-600PPM off is common.


You may want to go through the Diagnostic Display and see what Amperage is being used. I think I read here that 8 Amps is the cutoff where you get High Salts/High Amps.

Further down in that FAQ there's a procedure for "recalibrating" the displayed reading, that may be of interest, especially if you need to "eliminate the error lights."

[Saltman]

We always allow 10% margin of error either way with strips. They are getting better. Problem is the meters on the chlorinators have the same margin of error. Best to rely on the chlorinator since it knows what it is looking for. If the salt is slightly higher or lower than the recommended it should not create a problem.

Ted