Which swimming pool test kit should I use?
- If your swimming pool or spa does not use a saltwater chlorine generator, choose the TF-Pro.
- If your swimming pool or spa uses a saltwater chlorine generator, choose the TF-Pro Salt.
The TF-Pro and TF-Pro Salt are TFP’s recommended pool test kits for these reasons:
- They use Taylor Technologies reagents, which have proven to be the gold standard in pool water testing.
- All TFtestkits.net reagents are guaranteed fresh for at least one year, and all TFtestkits.net purchases have a one-year warranty.
- They are cost-efficient. They provide more of the reagents you use more frequently (FC, CYA), and less of those you use less frequently (CH, TA).
- TFtestkits.net refill sets provide a replacement for every reagent in the kit at a 50% savings. There is also a refill set sale yearly in March for an additional 20% off.
- They are packaged in a water-resistant polyvinyl carrying case with a custom foam insert to secure all of your reagents and hardware.
- They include the Smart Stir magnetic stirring device, which makes performing your testing much quicker, easier, and more accurate.
- The owner of TFtestkits.net is a TFP member and will quickly fix any issues with your purchase.
Are there other test kit options?
The size, location, and construction type of your pool or spa does not matter with regards to choosing the best test kit. Instead, the most important factor when choosing a test kit is how your pool or spa is chlorinated.
- If your swimming pool or spa does not use a saltwater chlorine generator:
- TF-Pro
- TF-100
- Taylor K-2006
- Taylor K-2006C (preferable to the K-2006 for the larger “C” commercial size bottles)
- If your swimming pool or spa uses a saltwater chlorine generator:
- TF-Pro Salt
- TF-100 Salt
- Taylor K-2006 AND K-1766
- Taylor K-2006C AND K-1766 (preferable to the K-2006 for the larger “C” commercial size bottles)
- You must add the K-1766 to get the salt testing reagents for a Taylor kit!
Using one of these test kits allows you to take a hands-on approach to caring for your pool, avoiding unwieldy test strips and unnecessary purchases at pool stores. All of these kits contain the reagents and hardware necessary to test for the most important pool and spa water parameters: pH, chlorine, total alkalinity (TA), calcium hardness (CH), and cyanuric acid (CYA). They also all feature the FAS/DPD chlorine test which has proven to be the most accurate and reliable way to measure your free and total chlorine. The biggest advantages of the TFtestkits.net kits over the Taylor kits are the larger amount of reagent for the FAS/DPD chlorine test and the Smart Stir.
Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared
Should I use pool store water testing?
No, you should save yourself the time and effort of taking water samples to the pool store by performing your own testing. Many pool store employees are seasonal and insufficiently trained in the use of their test kits or analyzers. They may rush through tests with customers waiting in line, miscount their drops, or fail to rinse their equipment thoroughly between customers. Pool stores need to promote and sell their products, and their in-store testing is how they make those sales. Their products are often overpriced and can have undesirable side effects or additives. By testing your pool water yourself, you can ensure consistent and accurate results every time.
Should I use test strips to test my pool water?
No, because test strips use color scales that are simply too imprecise. Instead of agonizing over whether your test strip reads “reddish” or “orange-ish”, the drop-based tests featured in our recommended test kits provide a clear and simple reading and eliminate guesswork. For certain water parameters (salt and borates) where maximum accuracy isn’t necessary, test strips can be a quick and inexpensive option.
Where can I get a good pool test kit?
The TF-100 (Salt) and TF-Pro (Salt) can be found on TFtestkits.net.
The Taylor K-2006 and K-2006C can be found on Amazon and various online pool stores. The K-2006C features larger commercial-size bottles compared to the K-2006 and thus is a more cost-effective option. You may find the Taylor K-2005 at your local pool store, but that kit lacks the critical FAS/DPD chlorine test. If you already have a K-2005, you can order a FAS/DPD test kit to “upgrade” your kit to a K-2006. Some international users may struggle to find a Taylor test kit, in which case we recommend TFtestkits or a LaMotte ColorQ.
I’ve got my test kit, now what?
Congratulations! Acquiring one of our recommended test kits is the first step towards achieving total control over your swimming pool. If you are having trouble performing or understanding any of your testing, ask for help on our TFP forums and our guides will assist you quickly. If you aren’t sure what to do next with your test results, posting those results on our TFP forum will allow our guides to provide personalized recommendations to get your pool water looking trouble-free.
