HTH test kit from Lowe's?

[InMaine]

I have read the Pool School and lots of great info on this site. I changed over to liquid chlorine 2 summers ago. In trying to work with a low monthly budget as a retired person, is there any reason this test kit from Lowe's would be no good?
Lowe's test kit
Thanks for the help.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! There are two big limitations with that kit:
1 - Small bottles of reagent.
2 - Does not contain the FAS-DPD portion for accurate/elevated FC testing.

Your season may be fairly short up there, but at the very least, consider the FAS-DPD if you can.

 

[Texas Splash]

Our Pool Care Basics and the links below may be of help as well.

Swimming Pool Test Kits Compared

What pool test kit should I buy? Why shouldn't I use test strips? Our recommended test kits will pay for themselves in no time!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[InMaine]

I did read Swimming Pool Rest Kits, it just compares 4 different kits, why I asked about the HTH kit from Lowe's. Thanks for letting me know what was missing. It can be confusing when yo first start to learn a new subject.

 

[InMaine]

Tell me please, how is this kit different from the Taylor 2006C besides a little less money? Taylor 2005C kit Thanks.

 

[ajw22]

Tell me please, how is this kit different from the Taylor 2006C besides a little less money? Taylor 2005C kit Thanks.

Pool Test Kits - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

The Taylor K-2005 is a test kit that gets pushed by many larger “pool stores”. It tests pH, TA, CH, CYA VERY well, but it’s shortfall is how it tests chlorine levels. The K-2005 uses a “DPD” chlorine test which has three very large pitfalls:

1. The DPD chlorine test will NOT show accurate results above 5 ppm. This is an issue if you wish to follow TFP methods, as we teach that it’s best to maintain a ratio of chlorine to CYA, see the Chlorine/CYA Chart, not just a firm 1-4 ppm.

2. The DPD chlorine test uses “color-matching.” You add a few drops of reagent to the water and then match the pink sample color to the comparator. It’s easy to mismatch the true levels.

3. Perhaps worst of all, the DPD chlorine test's pink sample color can "bleach out." If the chlorine is well above the 5 ppm limit, the pink sample color after the reagent is added can fade out or even remain clear. This can lead one to believe the chlorine level is MUCH lower than reality, potentially leading to adding even more chlorine to the pool.

In short, the K-2005 is a good kit.........it’s just not very accurate in chlorine testing.

TFP Methods requiring FC of more than 5 ppm, such as the SLAM Process and higher CYA levels, cannot be tested with the DPD chlorine test in the K-2005. You need the FAS/DPD chlorine test found in the TFT Test Kits, Taylor K-2006 or K-2006C.

If you have the K-2005 you can separately buy the FAS/DPD Chlorine Test to make your kit equivalent to the K-2006.

 

[InMaine]

Thanks for the response. But doesn't the K-2006 use pink color matching too? Is the difference that it measures above 5ppm?

 

[PoolStored]

Thanks for the response. But doesn't the K-2006 use pink color matching too? Is the difference that it measures above 5ppm?

It uses color matching for pH. The K-2006 uses FAS-DPD testing for FC. It is a powder and reagent drop test.

Here are the directions to give you an idea:

FAS-DPD Chlorine Test

The FAS-DPD chlorine test is used to find the level of Free Chlorine in the … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Texas Splash]

But doesn't the K-2006 use pink color matching too? Is the difference that it measures above 5ppm?

In the K-2006, pink is the final color matching is for the TA test. Free chlorine with the FAS-DPD goes from pink to clear for a final result. It can test extremely accurately and go well above the standard 5ppm view you might see in a local tester (i.e the OTO viewer comparator). It is that FAS-DPD part of the kit which is very important for testing and you won't find that in a local over-the-counter test kit.

 

[AUSpool]

The HTH 6way is better than strips but no where near as good as the Taylor K2006c. As mentioned the HTH is missing the FAS/DPD which is a titration test that gives the amount of free chlorine (FC) in ppm. In contrast the HTH uses the OTO test which gives total chlorine (TC). It cant distinguish between FC and combined chlorine (CC’s) or chloramines, the bad one we don’t want.

The K2006c uses a calcium hardness (CH) test while the HTH has a total hardness test (TH) that cant distinguish between calcium and magnesium.

The HTH uses the same CyA turbidity test but only provides 2 tests. The K2006c has about three times the amount of tests.

To really compare you would need 3 HTH kits plus add 2 FAS/DPD kits, two CH test kits and a large bottle of CyA reagent.

Consider the smart stir or magnetic stirrer as it makes testing much easier and more accurate.

 

[InMaine]

Thanks for sorting that out for me!

 

[InMaine]

So this is the right one for $76 from Amazon? Taylor K-2006

 

[Texas Splash]

So this is the right one for $76 from Amazon? Taylor K-2006

If you are going to order the K-2006, be sure to get the 2006"C". The K-2006C has larger bottles which are a better value and should last longer.

 

[Newdude]

Both TF kits are better values from tftestkits.net. The Taylor K2006C has too many TA/CH tests and not enough FC tests. You'll be throwing out expired reagents while replacing the FC part early.

The TF100 is almost half the cost of the K2006C for better supplies.

The TFPro is about the same price as the K2006C and comes with the same supplies and also a $48 stirrer and nicer case.

You really REALLY want the stirrer either way. I appreciate the organization of the TFpro over the TF100 each and every time I use it. The TF100 was entirely functional but you have to hunt and pick for every bottle and no matter how many times you've put the bottles back in the tacklebox, it'll take a try or three to find the right spots for them all.

 

[InMaine]

Oh my, I'm trying so hard to afford this on my budget. The K2006 is is $73 from The Taylor store on Amazon, the TF100 is $83 and the TFPro is $150, twice the cost of the K2006. We have about 2 more months of pool time here in Maine. Hoiw long will the chemicals lastr in the TFPro?

 

[ajw22]

. Hoiw long will the chemicals lastr in the TFPro?

Get the TF-100 if you are on a budget. TFT has fresh reagents and it will be usable for the 2024 and 2025 seasons if stored in a cool place which you have a lot of in Maine.

You never know about the freshness of reagents when purchased from Amazon.

 

[Newdude]

When stored cool/dry, many get 2 seasons from the kits. The reccomendation is to replace them yearly and the refills go on sale at TFtestkits.net every spring in the $40s.

On a strict budget, the TF100 has 2.7X the supplies of the K2006 and is a no brainer.

The TFpro and K2006*C* are similar prices and the pro has the stirrer, better supplies and a nicer case. Also a no brainer.

 

[dereksanders]

The TF kits use Taylor reagents. I purchased my Taylor kit last season and my reagents expire April and May 2025.

 

[InMaine]

But its $150!! what about this? Pool eXact® EZ Kit Special (Program Defect)

 

[PoolStored]

Get one of the recommended kits, even if you get the Tf-100 due to budget.