Do I need a "simple" or "advanced" testing kit for above ground pool?

[tettnanger]

I'm a new pool owner in Michigan of an above ground (but half buried) Doughboy pool. I'm still reading through all the educational materials in Pool School and all that, but when I went to buy a water testing kit at my local pool store I was told that for an above ground pool I do not need an "advanced" testing kit. She said I only need to worry about Chlorine and pH levels and that all of the other stuff (alkalinity, hardness, acid, calcium, etc) will "all take care of itself". She went on to say that if I had an inground pool then I would need to worry about all of these other readings. Since she was not trying to upsell me (in fact she was downselling me) I figured I'd take her advice, but now I'm not so sure. I haven't had any problems per se with the pool (only been a month), other than having a heck of interpreting/matching the colors whether with liquid test kit or strips. Would appreciate any and all advice.

thanks!

 

[Krulligo]

Water is water doesn't matter what it is held in.

Trust me get a good kit. I have a 15f above ground pool and a good kit has saved me this year. Completely hassle free sparking clean water. Past couple of years I was on pool store suggestions and just had nothing but trouble.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Welcome to TFP!

What is the pool volume?

For temporary/seasonal pools of less than 3,000 gallons, we have a different set of guidelines.

Guide for Seasonal/Temporary Pools

Smaller seasonal pools can see just as much enjoyment as their larger counterparts. In this guide we'll show you how to maintain your temporary pool.

www.troublefreepool.com

The most important component of a quality test kit for non-temporary pools is the FAS/DPD drop-based chlorine test. It provides the accuracy needed to maintain proper free chlorine levels. You also need components to test pH, TA, and CYA. By the time you try to piece-meal a kit together, costs far exceed a quality all-in-one kit. Take a look at some of the complete test kit options at tftestkits.net. They provide the best value for the residential pool owner.

There's some good info here on test kits:

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[duraleigh]

Pool store advice is so-o-o unreliable you really can't count on them. This forum is dedicated to teaching folks how to manage their pool in a common sense way. A major part of that method is a precision and reliable test kit. There is an article Test kits compared in our Pool School that will give you some guidance. There are several kits on the market that do not have the tests we need so try to stay with one of these.

 

[Donldson]

I'd love to hear her explanation for how an above ground vinyl lined pool is self-maintaining while an in ground vinyl lined pool requires careful monitoring

At best, it's massive ignorance (McDonald's employees get better training to run a register than most pool store employees) but at worst it's a willful attempt to keep you coming to them for the "advanced" testing and sales pitches. Selling you a cheaper kit over the better one doesn't matter much to their bottom line, but keeping a pool owner dependent on them can be worth tens of thousands over the years.

 

[tettnanger]

Thanks everyone, I'm definitely going to get an advanced test kit then! And I'll keep on reading the great info on this site.

Someone asked, my pool is a 16' x 24' oval and roughly 8500 gallons based on my water height calculations.