Taylor K-2005 vs. K-2006

[myLABSpool]

So I bought my Taylor (Leslies branded) test kit last year and I'm pleased with it. I thought it was the k-2006 that is recommended here in pool forum, but I recently realize that I bought the wrong one! I actually have the k-2005, not k-2006. I don't really find reading the color comparator to be problematic with the k-2005, but I know some folks find this inconvenient and less accurate. Are there other disadvantages to the k-2005? Is there anything that would warrant me scrapping my investment in the k-2005 and buying the k-2006? Or am I just acting like an over analytical engineer??

Yeah, I feel silly, it was an impulse buy without much research on how the k-2006 worked vs the k-2005.

Thanks

[aylad]

If you're pleased with it, and don't have any trouble reading the color comparator, I'd stick with what's working for you!

Janet

[sturev]

Janet, Don't you have to use the shot glass method to test at shock levels? I think that's why the 2006 is better...?

[CarlD]

But you don't have to buy the whole kit. Taylor sells just the FAS-DPD test alone, the K-1515-A for about $25. With that, you should have the equivalent of the K-2006, plus you'll have the 2005's DPD test.

[waterbear]

DPD vs FAS-DPD:

The DPD test in the K-2005 is only able to test up to 10 ppm chlorine without dilution. (The dilution marks for 1:1 and 4:1 are marked on the side of the comparator tube across from the CYA markings and the instructions are on the lid. This means that chlorine levels up to 25 ppm can be tested but, because of the dilutions you will lose precision and it is very time consuming. Also, you need distilled water to perform the dilutions.) That being said the disadvantages compared to the FAS-DPD test are:
1) It can bleach out at high (above 10 ppm) FC levels leading you to believe there is no chlorine when, in fact, chlorine levels are high. Unless you want to take the time to do a dilution whenever you test at 0 ppm chlorine to double check you might make this mistake.
2) The resolution of the test is much lower than the FAS-DPD test since the comparator is marked at 0 ppm, .5 ppm, 1ppm, 1.5ppm, 2ppm, 3ppm, and 5ppm
Therefore. the smallest measurement that can be interpolated is .25 ppm from 1 to 2 ppm, .5 ppm from 2 to 3 ppm, and 1 ppm from 3 to 5 ppm. If you use the dilutions the precision goes down even more.
3) Many people (actually men) have difficulty determining the different shades of red (In fact, I believe it is about 4 out of 5 that have trouble). The good news is that you can learn to differentiate the colors over time. Women do not seem to have this problem.
4) The test is impossible to read for those who are colorblind.

On the other hand the FAS-DPD test:
1) can test chlorine levels up to 25 ppm (according to Taylor) or higher (up to about 50 ppm in actual practice) without dilutions or other special procedure other than possibly adding a bit extra DPD powder if the sample bleaches out. Bleachout is also much easier to spot since the flash of pink is more apparent.
2) The resolution of the test is .5 ppm with a 10 ml water sample or .2 ppm with a 25 ml water sample across the board. doesn't matter if you chlorine is 3 ppm or 30 ppm!
3 & 4) The test is a titration test with a color change from pink to colorless.
There is no matching colors involved. Even colorblind people are able to do this test and it is not subjective. This is particularly good for newbies who are often confused when trying to read a comparator.
5) It is the only test that will be easy to use and give consistent info for those who need to keep their FC higher than 5 ppm (for example, because of high CYA). It also gives you valid info without dilutions when you are shocking the pool.
6) It directly reads FC and CC. No need to get a TC reading and subtract the FC from it to get your CC. Less chance of stupid math errors.

To be fair there are a few disadvantages to FAS-DPD testing:
1) it takes longer to do
2) it is slightly more expensive per test

If you already have K-2005 then you do not need to replace it with a K-2006. Just add the FAS-DPD stand alone kit K-1515 (available in two sizes)

[myLABSpool]

Thanks to all for providing such quick and informative feedback. Based on what I've read, I'll stick with the k-2005, however I'd like to pickup a FAS-DPD only test for when I'm shocking so I don't have to dilute. Where can I get the FAS-DPD (k-1515 or something similar) test kit? I don't see anything online at Leslies other than a full test kit for $70. Looking for the CL test only.

Thanks again.

[sturev]

This place has been a good source for me:
http://www.amatoind.com/taylor-testing-reagents-c-30_35.html

They have it for $40 or so...

[waterbear]

Thanks to all for providing such quick and informative feedback. Based on what I've read, I'll stick with the k-2005, however I'd like to pickup a FAS-DPD only test for when I'm shocking so I don't have to dilute. Where can I get the FAS-DPD (k-1515 or something similar) test kit? I don't see anything online at Leslies other than a full test kit for $70. Looking for the CL test only.

Thanks again.
Directly from Taylor Technologies
http://www.taylortechnologies.com
K-1515-A $25.45 (1/2 oz size titrant)
K-1515-C $64.50 (2 oz size titrant)

[polyvue]

Directly from Taylor Technologies
http://www.taylortechnologies.com
K-1515-A $25.45 (1/2 oz size titrant)
K-1515-C $64.50 (2 oz size titrant)
FAS-DPD Chlorine Test Kit (measures FC, CC)

Poolweb.com

K-1515-A $21.00
Includes .75 oz R-0871 and R-0003, 10g R-0870 DPD powder & sample tube.

K-1515-C $53.21
Includes 4 oz R-0871 and 2 oz R-0003, 10 g R-0870 DPD powder plus sample tube.

Taylor waives shipping for orders over $50.00, so verify check-out totals for a true price comparison.


Prices for these items are even lower at nationalpoolcare.com but I've not ordered from them.

[polyvue]

This place has been a good source for me:
http://www.amatoind.com/taylor-testing-reagents-c-30_35.html

They have it for $40 or so...
Amato's price would seem to be one of the lowest for the K-1515C FAS-DPD Chlorine test (and probably is)... but I wish they'd correct the description for it because most of the components they list are for the smaller K-1515A! Also, the K-1515C, per Taylor, has (2) 2 oz bottles of R-0871-C. The stock numbers and descriptions listed obscure this.

$40.44

http://www.amatoind.com/k1515-droptestfas-dpdchlorine1drop-02or05ppm75oz-p-496.html

[CarlD]

You can always order the refills. The 0870 powder is about $5. The 0871 reagent is about $8. Not sure what the 0003 costs.

A few years back I actually stumbled across the Leslies clone of the FAS-DPD/Monopersulfate kit (K-1518) on a close-out for $20! I grabbed it and see that Taylor sells it for $68! It seems to add only one chem over the K-1515.