Testing swimming pool water chemistry at minimum once a week is vital when you want to keep your water clear and algae free. During the long and hot summer months it’s recommended to test your swimming pool water even twice a week because algae loves to grow in warm water. When testing swimming pool water you have a couple of different options …. test strips or the drop method. To be honest the test strips are extremely simple and it’s possible to get all the readings you need in less than 10 seconds. However, when matching up the colors on the strips and numbers on the side of the bottle it’s extremely easy to get skewed numbers. For example, the increments for calcium hardness are 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 parts per million (ppm). If you’re looking to get an exact number this method will not allow you to achieve it.
On the other hand, we prefer the Taylor Test Kit method which allows you to accurately test for calcium hardness, chlorine, acid and base, total alkalinity and cyanuric acid. By using the reagents and the drop method it’s very easy to match up color and get accurate numbers for calcium hardness as well as other vital readings to keep your swimming pool water clear. Taylor Test Kits can also be counted on to give real-world results that a pool owner can use. Also, due to the accuracy of the test, they create a factual review of the water conditions with the results you need to keep your swimming pool filled with the appropriate amount of chemicals. Even though it will take you longer to get the results compared to test strips we feel the accurate readings make up for it.
Pool Services Technologies prides itself on providing the general public with vital information to help swimming pool owners with their everyday needs. The Taylor Swimming Pool Test Kits are available in on our eCommerce site at a discounted rate.
I’d like to add that the Taylor SpeedStir and Sample Sizer are great additions to the Taylor test kits. Makes the whole process so much more accurate, not to mention easier. These three items are the perfect trifecta for keeping your pool safe and healthy!