Does Taylor R-0014 contain a chlorine neutralizer?

[Amir]

Steve,
your variation in ph reading between the two tests are the same variation I am getting using a digital ph meter. (see the post for Henna PH meter) I have ordered new calibration solution to finally put this question to rest. The only problem is that the buffer will not have any chlorine.
Amir

[sharknj]

Waterbear, I figured the MSDS might not list everything but I wasn't really sure. I haven't had the pleasure of reading too many of them! I see what you mean about how they can make something sound a lot worse than it really is. So the lack of a neutralizer could give a potentially false HIGH reading? The reading I'm getting with the Taylor pH is actually lower than the numbers I'm getting with my other test kits. Thanks for the tip on the first Alk reagent. I'll take some readings with and without a drop of the sodium thiosulfate to see how it affects it.

Amir, I'm interested to see what you find out with the new calibration solution. I'm really hoping that you find that your meter ends up matching the Taylor pH after all.

[sharknj]

Well I tried adding a drop of the Alk #1 before the 5 drops of phenol red and now the Taylor kit reads the same as my other 2 el cheapo test kits. Without the Alk# 1 it still reads about .3 lower. Sooo... either the Taylor kit reads low and the cheap kits are right, or the Taylor kit already has sodium thiosulfate and adding a drop of the Alk #1 is doubling it up and causing a false high pH reading. If this is the case, the cheap kits are also giving high readings.

I think for now I'm going to trust the Taylor kit, but err on the side of caution and add muriatic acid whenever the pH reaches 7.5. I'll just be adding smaller amounts a little more frequently. This is probably better anyway since it will keep the pH from swinging much, and keeping it low (7.2 - 7.3) should help the SWG anyway. Even if it turns out the Taylor pH really does read low, the worst I'll be doing is keeping it around 7.5 - 7.6 which still isn't too bad, right?

[waterbear]

Try adding the chlorine neutralizer to the cheap kits! the taylor reagent already has it in and extra will change the pH of the sample. You are right about doubling up on the neutralizer causing the pH to rise but if you add it to the cheap phenol red I think you wlll find that your results then match the taylor kit.