Taylor equivalent(s) to PS234S

[west1745]

Carl,

What is the purpose of the copper test?

I have the PS234S and might need to reorder some stuff so your post here is most useful. Of course I would prefer Ben's and will hold out to see if he gets caught up and does more orders - but it is encouraging to know there is something in case he does not.

But anyway, how often do you test for copper? Is that something we should all have?

[CrisL]

Copper kits are useful if you use or have used an ionizer or copper based algaecides, if your heater went south and the corroded core was copper and might have dumped copper in the water, if you use well water that might have high levels of copper, or if people's hair and/or the entire pool (not the water) is turning green.

If you only need one test (you stopped using the ionizer or you don't know what that stuff you put in the pool a couple of years ago was, etc...) and you trust a local pool company, it would be cheaper to have them perform the copper test. If it comes out OK, than there is no need to buy a kit.

[CarlD]

Sorry,
I didn't mean to imply you should get that copper kit. I got it, because as a monitor, I like to know what these kits are and how they work, if they aren't exhorbitantly expensive.

Another reason to test for copper is if you've been using HTH "double-acting" pucks--they are Tri-chlor and they have "an extra algaecide"---which is copper. It's why I don't like HTH. They are putting in a chemical as a selling point that you don't need, and can cause far more trouble than it's worth, just as a selling point.

Generally, most people don't need a copper or salt test kit, unless they have a heater with a copper core, or an SWG.

[CrisL]

Thanks for adding the HTH pucks Carl, I forgot about that recent "enhancement" to their product.

[Poconos]

Another heads up....I've seen pucks at Sams Club that said nothing about copper in the ingredients but a 40# pail was $10 higher than the 'regular' pucks and had some words that escape me but implied 'extra' action of some sort. Anything other than plain old pucks should be avoided. I do use them periodically when CYA needs to be increased.
Al