Finaly got my Salt system working

[BigTallGuy]

I'm Sorry Evan, Please forgive me, I misunderstood your post. Is there any difference in Salt strips, or are they all about the same? I thought I read somewhere on this forum that test strips were largely inaccurate, but that may not have been Salt tests.

I guess I'm looking for a "best bang for your buck" break-down on salt testing. Best to worst, and cheapest to most expensive. I need something that is more reliable than the pool store.

Thanks for your help.

[waterbear]

Test strips are usless for pH, TA, CH, and CYA. They are about as useful as an OTO test for Chlorine, IMHO. However, there are a few specialty tests where the strips are either precise enough or better. These are salt titrators (less chance of operator error than the 'fussy' salt titration!), borate test strips (here the LaMotte win hands down over the AquaChek! The only drop based borate test still available is from Apollo Pools in Canada and it is an add on for the Taylor K-2006) and Nitrate, Nitrite, and Ammonia (not needed very often but useful in a pool that has a HUGE chlorine demand or persistent algae that just won't go away.) Bad news is that if the problem is nitrate/nitrite all you can really do is replace the water. Ammonia can be dealt with by LARGE amounts of chlorine

[BigTallGuy]

So then, As a general statement, Salt Strips are reasonably accurate and "Good Enough" for residential use. Without going into brand names, are there any different types of Salt Strips that are better than others?

[waterbear]

So then, As a general statement, Salt Strips are reasonably accurate and "Good Enough" for residential use. Without going into brand names, are there any different types of Salt Strips that are better than others?

The only salt strips I have ever seen are made by Hach and retailed under the AquaChek brand for pool/spa use.

[Poolsean]

There are quick read and slow read strips. The quick read strips give you results within about 30 seconds. These strips give you a short window of opportunity to compare the test pad to the label... maybe 3 seconds? Even shorter in full sunlight. You dip the strip into the pool, hold it horizontally, and compare the test pad after about 25 seconds. After 30 seconds, the test pad will change rapidly so it's useless after that.
The slow read strip takes a bit longer (3 t0 10 minutes). You place the strip in a sample container with about an inch of water and the strip standing upright, with only the bottom of the strip in the water. There is a yellow strip along the top. When at least half of the strip turns black, your test is done. The strip will turn white along a numbered scale. This number must be compared to the scale on the test bottle that the strip comes in. I make special note of this because the strip is marked specifically to the scale on the bottle. If they are the same batch number, then you can, but they can be very different from bottle to bottle.
Above all, you must keep your hands dry when removing a test strip. Keep the bottle closed tightly. And keep the bottle out of the sun, or heat. Any of these conditions can compromise the rest of the strips and you might as well throw it away.

Electronic meters are, as Evan said, accurate as long as they are regulary calibrated.

Salt water aquarium Hygrometers are not within the range for pools, so are not applicable.

[waterbear]

There are quick read and slow read strips. The quick read strips give you results within about 30 seconds. These strips give you a short window of opportunity to compare the test pad to the label... maybe 3 seconds? Even shorter in full sunlight. You dip the strip into the pool, hold it horizontally, and compare the test pad after about 25 seconds. After 30 seconds, the test pad will change rapidly so it's useless after that.

Thanks Sean. I was not aware that LaMotte had come out with a salt test strip. As I said before the Hach strips (the slow ones) are actually a titrator. As the liquid rises up the strip the chloride ions react with the silver nitrate and change color. When the chloride is used up there is no further color change as the liquid rises up the strip.

[BigTallGuy]

There are quick read and slow read strips. The quick read strips give you results within about 30 seconds. These strips give you a short window of opportunity to compare the test pad to the label... maybe 3 seconds?

The slow read strip takes a bit longer (3 t0 10 minutes). You place the strip in a sample container with about an inch of water and the strip standing upright, with only the bottom of the strip in the water.

Sean, This is GREAT INFORMATION. Another weapon in the arsenal of not being "Pool Stored", and knowing exactly what to look for while in the pool store.

Thanks a Million, BTG