How To Fix High Iron Levels In Your Pool
We’re dealing with metals, so the same remedies that work for copper will also work for your high iron levels. Metal sequestrants are a life saver when you have high iron levels. Remember that sequestrants don’t remove metals. A sequestrant holds the metal in solution until the water can get filtered and backwashed. Maintaining the right pH level is also important.
Types Of Pool Water Test Kits
Purchasing a pool water test kit may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually fairly easy once you know what to look for in a quality kit. For instance, there are only three types of test kits you need to consider. The best one for you will be determined by your preference. There are pros and cons to each type, but no right or wrong choices.
Test strips
These thin white strips have a number of treated squares on them. Some have just three, while others may have as many as six. Each square performs a different test, and you can see the results in seconds. You simply match the color on the chart which is usually located on the container and you’ve got a good idea of what is going on with your pool water.
The downside to these strips is they can be easily contaminated. Just reaching in the container with wet hands can ruin most of the pack, so you must be careful. Also, not following the directions precisely may produce erroneous readings.
Test kits
The major drawback to this method is it is time consuming, especially if you need to perform more than one test. Additionally, the colors are fairly close in hue and it can sometimes be difficult to interpret your actual reading.
Digital testers
Typical Mistakes While Testing Pool Water
The following mistakes can make even the best test kit completely useless. Certainly, you should know them to avoid any disappointments.
Wrong sampling location. The sample you take should represent the whole pool water, it must be taken from midway between the shallow and deep ends for the most accurate results.
Allowing the water sample to sit around exposed to the air. You should test the water as soon as possible, especially if you test a sanitizer level. It can change significantly over the period you wait. For example, chlorine is likely to evaporate due to the impact of the environment.
The wrong volume of sample water. Always follow the instructions on the test kit and add the amount of water required. If you take more or less water then needed, you will get the wrong results.
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Gathering A Proper Water Sample
Take samples far from your skimmer and return jets, and well below the surface . Use a clean container test container. If you are bringing the sample to a store, make sure it has a lid.
When To Call A Professional
If you arent comfortable testing your pools water quality yourself, you can always hire a professional. Many businesses will allow mail-in or walk-in with a pool water sample, which they will then test.
Alternatively, consider using a professional service for just a few key teststhe beginning, middle and end of the summer, or after an unexpected storm, for exampleand doing the rest of the tests yourself. This helps minimize any chance of an error with your home test kits and also gives you a second opinion, all while staying hassle-free and affordable.
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Test For Total Alkalinity
After rinsing the tester clean, fill the large tube to the lower dash line. Add one drop of No. 4 solution and swirl. Next, add one drop of solution No. 5B, a total alkalinity indicator, and swirl. Add No. 3 solution, drop by drop until the color changes to clear, light yellow, or light green.
Finally, multiply the number of drops of solution No. 3 you used by 10 to determine the total alkalinity.
Note: Don’t perform this test if the residual chlorine is above 3.0. Chlorine must be in normal ranges before testing for TA .
How To Test Your Pool Water For Calcium
The total hardness level in your pool should be somewhere between 200 and 500 parts per million . A professional-grade water testing kit is going to be your best friend. The best pro pool water testing kits will test for calcium levels along with chlorine, pH, copper, iron, and other substances.
Youll simply add a chemical indicator to a small sample of pool water and compare the water color to the included color-coded chart to determine whether your pool waters calcium is too high or too low.
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How To Use Test Strips
These strips allow you to simply dip the strip into the pool water, or container filled with pool water, then compare the various squares on the strip to the corresponding chart. To use your test strips:
- Collect a sample of water using the above technique.
- Fully submerge the strip into the sample water for 2 – 3 seconds, then remove it.
- Hold the strip until the squares start to change color. This normally takes about 15 – 20 seconds. Do not shake the excess water off the test strip. This might give a wrong reading.
- Compare the strips color to those on the test strip bottle.
You have choices when it comes to test strips. Some test for chlorine, pH and alkalinity, while others are called 5-way test strips. These test for the aforementioned plus calcium hardness and cyanuric acid. You can also get test strips that test for salt and metals such as copper and iron.
What Do Pool Strips Test For
Different products test different things and different combinations. Most strips test 3-6 things on the one test strip. Which saves time and money.
Heres some of the things strips can test for:
- Free Chlorine
- Phosphate
- Total Hardness
The most common strips normally test for the essentials which are: Free Chlorine, Total Alkalinity, PH and Cyanuric Acid . If you only tested for these things, youll pool would be in pretty good shape.
I can find Water Testing Strips here.
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Add Reagent To The Vials
To test the chlorine, you have to put five drops of reagent bottle no. 1 in the small or chlorine vial.
For the bigger or pH vial, you will need to put one drop of reagent no. 4, which is a chlorine neutralizer. It is important to neutralize chlorine because if it is too high, it will affect your pH test and provide the wrong readings. After, add five drops of reagent no. 2.
Features To Look For When Buying A Pool Water Test Kit
When it comes to buying a pool water test kit, we all know that it is not an easy task to do. Every manufacturer will swear by their product that it is the best on the market but even a good product might not be enough if it does not have the features and qualities that you are looking for.
In order for its purpose to be fulfilled, here are the things that you might want to look out for. Most of them can be determined by reading reviews but the product description might also be very useful in this regard.
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How Often Should I Test For Salt
To maintain the right salt level and keep your chlorine at 2 – 4 ppm, you will want to maintain your salt level between 2500 – 4500 ppm. This is the industry average, but always follow the manufacturer’s suggested salt level. Salt test strips can be found online and at your local pool store. Your pool store can also test for salt levels when you take your water sample in. It’s quick and easy for them to do.
Test strips are the go-to for most pool owners, and salt water test strips are just like regular test strips. Get a sample of pool water, dip the salt test strip into the water, remove it, then wait for about 15 – 20 seconds for the results to show.
Pros Of Pool Test Strips
- Fairly accurate when used properly
- Fast and easy to use
- Require very little technique to use simply dip in water for 10 seconds then compare colours with chart on instructions.
- Tests for multiple readings at once most test between 3 and 6 things at once including , Bromine, Total Chlorine, Phosphate, Total Hardness)
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How To Test Your Swimming Pool Water
Pool Calculator makes pool chemistry easy. Also Available for iOS& Android
Regardless of where you live or what kind of pool you own, youre going to have to test your swimming pool water chemistry. Testing your pool helps keep the water safe from viruses, bacteria, and algae and ensures chemical levels are safe and comfortable for swimmers.
What Happens If I Dont Test For Anything Other Than Chlorine
Even if your chlorine is perfect at all times, you can still get algae growing. Many algae related issues are caused by pH. Pool experts will tell you that pH is just as important to test as chlorine, and it should be tested often. We know that pool testing gets time-consuming and annoying, but do not skip this part of being a pool owner.
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What Is The Best Home Water Test Kit For Salt Water Pools
If you own a salt water pool, you know you still need to use chlorine to keep the water clean and balanced. While virtually all test kits can be used in salt water pools, they dont all test the salinity . So whats the best saltwater pool test kit? We suggest the K-1766 Saltwater Kit from Taylor Technologies or the Saltwater Swimming Pool Test Strips from AquaChek.
When To Test Pool Water
There is no set guideline for when to conduct various tests on pool water chemistry. Some people test all components daily, and this is a perfectly acceptable, if slightly obsessive, schedule. However, many pool experts suggest the following schedule for testing:
- Chlorine levels: Two or three times each week
- pH: Two or three times each week
- Acid demand test: Whenever pH levels need adjustment
- Total alkalinity: Weekly, unless pH has changed, in which case you should always test the total alkalinity
- Calcium hardness: Monthly
- Four-way pool water test kit
- Sink to wash test kit
- Towel to dry test kit
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Testing For Copper In Your Pool
Clear emerald green water is one of the first indicators of high copper levels in a pool. The picture below was of a customer’s pool. He added 5 bottles of copper algaecide, then shocked his pool. Within an hour, his pool went from crystal clear to an emerald green. This can happen with an overdose of pool algaecide and from well water which is notorious for having high levels of copper and iron.
Testing For Phosphates: Do You Really Need To
Harmless and so ubiquitous they can be found in everything from pharmaceuticals to cleaning products to fire extinguishers, phosphates are essential to our everyday life.
The truth is, phosphates are not a problem for your pool water.
You may hear that phosphates are a problem because they serve as a food source for algae, which can have a tremendously negative effect on your pool. But killing its food source is not an effective method of controlling algae.
Once its established itself, algae can be very tough to get rid of.
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Best Pool Test Kit Quick Answers:
Finding the best pool algaecide or the best pool shock to treat your water, or the best pool vacuum to get out the debris is essential to maintaining your swimming pool. But its only a start. To ensure that your pool water is chemically balanced and safe for swimming, you need to use a pool testing kit regularly! Even if your pool looks clean and clear, the water chemistry might be off. It could damage your pool equipment, and may also be unsafe for swimmers.
Thats why a reliable pool water test kit is every pool owners best friend. It can reveal your pools levels of free chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid, and more. If you have a salt water pool, youll need to test your salt level, too.
Trying to choose the best pool test kit brand for pool maintenance? This guide will help you determine the best pool test kit based on your unique needs and budget.
How Do I Test Pool Water
There are several types of testing supplies available on the market varying in price and accuracy. Since I work for a company that sells pool supplies, it was fairly easy for me to get customer input via our amazing review program, and I was able to narrow down the bestselling water testing supplies to make it easier for you to make the selection to your liking.
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Advantages Of Using A Swimming Pool Test Kit
The pool test kits are crucial today. Below are some of the advantages you can expect when it comes to using these kits.
- First of all, the kit would help you determine your water chemistry. This means understanding the number of dissolved solids in the pool. This is crucial so that you can know when to add more water to the pool and make it better.
- Another thing you will get from a pool test kit is the amount of chemicals in the water. You always want to end up with a pool with the right amount of chemical composition for you to enjoy swimming. No one wants to swim in a pool with too many chemicals.
- The test kit also helps you know more about the dirt, bacteria, or algae in the pool. As a result, you can schedule for cleaning to take place so that you have a pool that remains looking clean always.
- The test kit also helps you know when to protect the water from the effect of sunlight. This is often called the breakdown effect.
How Often To Test For Copper
While its ideal to conduct pool water testing for chlorine and pH levels weekly, its sufficient to test for copper once a month. Testing your water on a regular basis will keep copper levels at bay before you even see its effects. This will mean less work for you as you wont have to remove liner stains on top of addressing the copper in your water.
In addition, because low pH levels can contribute to high copper levels, its essential to test them weekly. Keep them under control, and you may be able to avoid copper buildup altogether.
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Why Do You Need A Test Kit
Test kits are a highly efficient and easy method to maintain pool water. Regular testing of the pool water will ensure that your pool is a safe and bacteria-free place for you and your loved ones. You will be aware of the chemicals that you need to prevent water and health problems.
Test kits, unlike test strips, are more accurate. Yes, they can be a little bit more time-consuming than test strips but getting the right testing result is worth it. Another benefit of test kits is that they generally come with a handy little case that makes their storage easier.
How To Add Chemicals Safely
- Always read and follow the chemicals instructions to ensure safe use of chemicals.
- Wear appropriate protective equipment and clothing including gloves, footwear and eyewear.
- Handle chemicals in a well-ventilated area.
- Use separate, clean metal or plastic measuring cups for each chemical to transfer or measure chemicals. Never use wood scoops.
- Protect chemicals from moisture and watersuch as a cup of water or coffee. Even putting the wet scoop back in the pail may cause a reaction.
- When applicable, always dilute chemicals by adding to water, never the other way around unless the containers label instructs you to do so.
- Do not mix different chemicals together.
- Do not put spilled chemicals back into their containers.
- Do not smoke when handling chemicals.
- Do not expose to heat or flames.
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Take Pool Water Testing To The Next Level
Swimming pool aren’t just about testing for chlorine and pH. There are other important parts to your pool water chemistry. You have your choice of great test kits, easy to use strips, the convenience of your local pool store, and if you feel lucky, digital pool water testing kits. Having the right pool water testing kit can offer you a season of great swimming fun.
How To Store Your Pool Test Kit Correctly
If the reagents are exposed to the environment, they will degrade over time leading to wrong results. To prolong the test kits lifespan, you should follow some rules:
- Store chemicals at a consistent temperature. It should be in the range of 36-85°F .
- Pay attention to the reagents bottles. They should be tightly sealed and replaced if damaged.
- Keep the bottles with reagents away from direct sunlight.
- Store test kits separate from pool chemicals.
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