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Thread: pool test strips vs dropper test kit

  1. #1
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    Default pool test strips vs dropper test kit

    Does anyone know which one of these is best?

    ....and, of all the chemicals that are tested, are there some more important than others?

  2. #2
    waterbear's Avatar
    waterbear is offline Lifetime Member Sniggle Mechanic waterbear 4 stars waterbear 4 stars waterbear 4 stars waterbear 4 stars
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    Default Re: pool test strips vs dropper test kit

    Strips are useless and difficult to read so the test kit we (and other forums on the net) recommend is the Taylor K-2006 FAS-DPD test kit. The tests that are most important (and equally important!) are free chlorine, combined chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness and cyanuric acid (stabilizer). The K-2006 tests all of these and does it well and is easy to use. The chlorine, Total alkalinity, and calcium hardness tests are titrations (drop counting tests), the pH test is a color matching test (all chemical pH tests are) and the cyanuric acid test is a turbidity test (the disappearing black dot test). You can see this kit in action here. Click on the pool/spa link in the upper left and the scroll down to see the videos for the K-2006

    Supplemental tests that might be needed are salt if you have a salt water chlorine generator, borate if you use it as an additive, and copper and/or iron if you have metals in your water.
    Retired pool store and commercial pool maintenance guy.

  3. #3
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    PoolDoc is offline Administrator Quark Inspector PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars PoolDoc 5 stars
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    Default Re: pool test strips vs dropper test kit

    membership upgraded.

    + Here are links to the kits we recommend (you can check local availability on the HTH kit, using the Walmart link):
    HTH 6-Way Test Kit @ Walmart
    Taylor K2006A (3/4 oz bottles) @ Amazon
    Taylor K2006C (2 oz bottles) @ Amazon

  4. #4
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    Default Re: pool test strips vs dropper test kit

    I just started my first pool up about 2 months ago and believe me I know for a fact that it was a bunch easier using the k-2006 kit vs others.
    12x23 oval 6.2K* gal AG vinyl pool; Feeder; Pentair easy clean ECDE 90 DE filter; Pentair optiflo 1.5 hp 2 speed pump; 8 hrs; spa; K-2006C; utility water; summer: none; winter: none; iPhone; PF:19

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