Is this a good price

[SUNNYDAYS]

for a Taylor 2006 2ozs reagents
K-2006-C (as above, but with 2 oz reagents) $89.90

http://www.poolcenter.com/taylor_test_kits.htm

[falken]

That is about the best price I have seen for that particular kit.

Another option would be the regular K-2006 kit from:
https://asp5.secure-shopping.com/spspools/

It is $49.00 and you could add on additional bottles of the chemicals you think you may consume more of in a season, also at great prices. (Cyan Acid, for example). That would probably get you the most bang for your buck.

The link to spspools was posted by someone else here, I ordered a kit from them and it was delivered 2 days later so they ship out fast.

[CarlD]

You can also look at Leslies Chlorine FAS-DPD test kit that's about $62.-- but right now they have some sales and you can get the following:
FAS-DPD Test: $10.50 (a GREAT price)
T/A Drop Kit: $ 7.--
CH Drop Kit: $ 7.--
OTO Basic Kit: $ 7.49 (includes better pH kit --taylor 0014 reagent)
CYA Test Kit: $ 7.-- (get the Leslie's brand--Taylor, as opposed to the BlueDevil)

So for $39 you get the FULL equivalent of the K-2006 or Ben's kit--it's all Taylor re-agents just in Leslie's branded boxes. You don't get one box, you don't get Ben's log, but you get all the tests you need.

[iwannapool]

My pool should be ready to go in a couple of weeks, maybe even sooner and I'm wondering about test kits. What would be the minimum amount of things I should be testing and what would be good things to test for but maybe not absolutely required?

Thanks

[Poconos]

Sunnydays,
Falken is probably right about the best bang for buck. I may have been the one that mentioned SPS initially. Ordered a bunch of bulk reagents a couple years ago and they were shipped in a couple days directly from Taylor. Even with 2 oz bottles you will find the CYA reagent will go first, followed by the Calcium Hardness first reagent. Think R-0010? The 20 drop one. Not near the kit now. I keep the big bottles in the fridge and only open them when I refill the smaller bottles. Stuff will last for years under these conditions.

Iwannapool,
Free and combined chlorine
pH
Total alkalinity
Calcium Hardness
Cyanuric Acid

The base and acid demand tests are almost useless.
If you have a salt pool then a salt test too.

Al

[CarlD]

Iwannapool:
What Poconos (Al) said about the tests are ALL covered in the set of test kits I listed above.

Salt testing is another kit.

But these 5/6 tests are what you need at a minimum (5 if you consider the FAS-DPD test as one, 6 if you consider it 2 tests: Free Chlorine and Combined Chloramines).

What you also need to do is check out each topic here at PoolForum. Most topics have stickied threads at the top, written by PoolDoc, or one of us mods (Pocons, Watermom, Aylad and me), and some by other contributing members. These should give you a good start on understanding pool testing and maintenance.

Also go to the sister site: PoolSolutions.com and read EVERYTHING you can get to, even if you don't think you'll need it. Look for the Tips and 100 reasons your pool is cloudy.

But the root and heart of successfuly pool care is testing. If you are consistent and disciplined about doing what you NEED to do everyday, what you NEED to do every week, and what you NEED to do every season, you will find you spend surprisingly LITTLE time actually taking care of your pool.

During the week I spend 2 to 5 minutes a day on pool care, and 15-30 minutes once a week. Pretty good, huh?

[iwannapool]

Thanks, CarlD. Sounds like great advise and I'll be sure, as I have been, read all that I can get my hands on.

Thanks Again!

[doggie]

I'm new to the BBB and the accurate testing routine, and I can't tell from Leslie's site exactly which reagent refils I would need for this test kit http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=9414&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=15&iSubCat=128&iProductID=9414

Would someone please check and post back the Leslie link(s) to the refils? Thanks! :)

[falken]

I'm new to the BBB and the accurate testing routine, and I can't tell from Leslie's site exactly which reagent refils I would need for this test kit http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=9414&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=15&iSubCat=128&iProductID=9414

Would someone please check and post back the Leslie link(s) to the refils? Thanks! :)

http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=13143&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=15&iSubCat=131&iProductID=13143
http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=13151&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=15&iSubCat=131&iProductID=13151
http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=13147&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=15&iSubCat=131&iProductID=13147

Your total cost would be $17.22, considering the kit is on sale for $10.50 right now, I would do that. :)

[doggie]

http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=13143&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=15&iSubCat=131&iProductID=13143
http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=13151&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=15&iSubCat=131&iProductID=13151
http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=13147&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=15&iSubCat=131&iProductID=13147

Your total cost would be $17.22, considering the kit is on sale for $10.50 right now, I would do that. :)

Ok, thanks! Now, a couple more questions. For the DPD Reagents, it lists #1, #2 and #3. But in the description box, it says you must use #1 and #2. Plus the pic of the kit itself only shows 2 bottles plus the powder. So do I have to get any of the #3?

Also, this tests FC and CC? The site isn't clear exactly what it is testing. I've only used simple tests before.

And if this tests for both FC and CC, why would one also need the OTO test? For the PH part of it?

Thanks yet again :)

Oops, forgot to ask.... can the reagents all be stored in the fridge to extend their life? If so, for how long?

[SUNNYDAYS]

Thanks for all the info!!:)

[doggie]

Sorry! I didn't mean to hijack your thread, but this seemed like the best thread to post my questions also!

[doggie]

Ok, thanks! Now, a couple more questions. For the DPD Reagents, it lists #1, #2 and #3. But in the description box, it says you must use #1 and #2. Plus the pic of the kit itself only shows 2 bottles plus the powder. So do I have to get any of the #3?

Also, this tests FC and CC? The site isn't clear exactly what it is testing. I've only used simple tests before.

And if this tests for both FC and CC, why would one also need the OTO test? For the PH part of it?

Thanks yet again :)

Oops, forgot to ask.... can the reagents all be stored in the fridge to extend their life? If so, for how long?

Does anyone know the answers? Sorry to pester, but I want to get the stuff ordered while it's on sale, and I don't know which of the DPD reagents I have to have.

Thank you.

[CarlD]

1st: DPD testing and FAS-DPD testing are NOT the same thing. With FAS-DPD, you add a scoop of powder to the water then use the FAS-DPD reagent 8071 to measure FC. You then add reagent 0003 to measure CC to turn it pink again and titrate with 8071. ( :) )

For OTO testing you merely add the OTO (ORTHOTOLIDINE) fluid.

OTO is much faster and quite accurate--but it's hard to get above 5ppm of total chlorine.

FAS-DPD is slower but far more accurate measuring from .2ppm to 50 (or 100)ppm of Free Chlorine or CC. (Remember: TC = FC + CC.).

It's hard to get the pH kit without either a DPD or OTO chlorine test, so getting the OTO is my recommendation--and it's not expensive anyway.

Since I don't do DPD testing I can't tell you much about it, other than chlorine levels higher than 15 can bleach it clear!

[waste]

Doggie,
DPD #1 is the powder, #2 and 3 are the liquids. #2 is used for both FC and CC testing , #3 turns the smple red when CCs are present. All 3 are neccesary. In Bens kit, the OTO is used for daily testing (only tests up to 5ppm) one reagent 5 drops - all set, it's just quicker when you don't have a problem where you need >5 ppm or need to know CC. Also, the pH test in Bens tests from 6.8 to 8.2 - the R004 only tests between 7.0 and 8.0.

Poconos says that the reagents can be kept in the fridge indefinately without going bad.

Hope this is in time for you to catch the sale!! :)

[doggie]

Thanks so much guys! I appreciate it!

[doggie]

Ok, I'm still confused.

I want the Chlorine FAS-DPD Drop kit. http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=9414&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=15&iSubCat=128&iProductID=9414

That tests the free chlorine, total chlrorine and combined chloring, right?


Then to get extra refils, it looks like all 3 of these are all drops http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=13147&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=15&iSubCat=131&iProductID=13147

and that the powder not one of those 3, it's this http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=13143&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=15&iSubCat=131&iProductID=13143

So that is 4 choices I have for refils, but the kit appears to only have 3 items in it.... 2 liquids and 1 dry powder.

Also, the CYA test kit shows 3 different things, 2 liquids and 1 powder http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=9414&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=15&iSubCat=128&iProductID=9414

So since I'll use this one the most, I will need extra. What are the components there? Under reagents, for CYA I only see this one http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=13184&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=15&iSubCat=131&iProductID=13184 So what are the other 2 things in the kit picture?

Sorry for these questions, but that site sucks as far as telling you whats included in the kits, and exactly what refils you need?

Thanks so much you dear people :)

[waste]

Doggie, don't worry about asking the ?s - that's why were here. (BTW - congrats on your newfound seniority!)

You need the powder and the 2 liquids for the cl tests, I believe that #2 and #3 are the same reagents whether you use the powder or the liquid for #1 (the liquid only measures up to 5ppm TC, the powder can go to 50.

The cya I saw on their site was # 18563 which shows the mixing bottle, 2 bottles of the test reagent (they are both the same - you only get ~3 tests per .75 oz bottle, so they give you 2) and what looks to be the instructions (the square packet) and the test chamber.

If you want to know what other back-up reagents to get I'd say a large (2 oz) bottle of R-0010 Calcium buffer (CH test reagent #1) - the cal test takes 25 :eek: drops of this per test and R-0012 Hardness reagent (CH test #3) (1 drop = 10 ppm, so if you have high calcium, you can go through it quickly if you test cal weekly - which you probably don't need to do)
A back-up bottle of R-0009 Alkalinity reagent would probably be advised as well (again 1 drop = 10 ppm, so with an alk of 100, you'll use 10 drops/week)
If you want to get more of the cya reagent, it won't hurt- as I said you only get 3 tests per bottle and though you only need to test it a couple of times a summer (after you get the level where you want it) but as I said above - you kan keep the reagents in the fridge and might as well get it all at once as long as you're already paying shipping.

I hope that this is a little clearer than the website :D

[doggie]

Very helpful dear. Thanks much!!!

[jmcst25]

I just purchased the stuff from leslies that Carl recommended for $38 (Thanks! for the idea)- also added 1 Gallon of Poly 60 for $46 - using a coupon code 751SPR it gives you free shipping and $20 off the algaecide (normally $66).

This information was posted under the Algae forum - but combined that with the test kits - together - out the door for $85.

[bryjen]

As far as refill prices go these guys cant be beat.
http://www.spspools-spas.com/pools.html