Hi. We are brand new pool owners. PB gave us one of the little liquid test kits for PH and chlorine. Neither my husband or I ever felt the slightest bit confident we were matching up the colors correctly, so we were simultaneously taking samples to pool store on a regular basis. To each of us, both tests always indicated the maximum top level. Pool store tests indicated that while Ph was in fact just a little high at 7.9, chlorine was actually low. So we reverted to strips, which I find much easier to color match but know they are not as reliable. From this forum and others, I KNOW we need a quality test kit like Taylors. But if we couldn’t even figure out just those two basic readings, does anyone think we’ll eventually learn to read the Taylor’s kit results and have confidence in them? So far, our water is crystal clear and beautiful, and we have maintained levels correctly after finding out we were wrong on chlorine, but I don’t want to be driving way across town to the pool store twice a week before I feel comfortable letting my grandkids swim. Would love to hear about the learning curve on interpreting the Taylor results. Thank you!
New pool owner with questions about Taylor test kit
- Thread starter J Pesaro
- Start date
You BETCHA !!!! Every last one of us was all 'I can't do chemistry sets .... I'm a XYZ for a reason !!!!'
I made a thread about my experience, In the end I was smacking myself for being so stupid....... that I thought I'd be too stupid to figure it out.
Have a read here
your concern is for color matching and only the PH test is like that. The rest are a difference of a massive change. Like watermelon hot pink to clear.
Welcome to TFP !!!!
- Jun 22, 2014
- 51,990
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome to TFP! 
Don't be fooled by what appears to be clear water. It can be very misleading. Yes, testing with a TF-1000 (link in my signature) or Taylor K-2006C is accurate, reliable, and easier than you think because they are drop-based test kits that change color while you mix. With one of those two test kits you can be assured to have accurate water chemistry.
www.troublefreepool.com
Don't be fooled by what appears to be clear water. It can be very misleading. Yes, testing with a TF-1000 (link in my signature) or Taylor K-2006C is accurate, reliable, and easier than you think because they are drop-based test kits that change color while you mix. With one of those two test kits you can be assured to have accurate water chemistry.
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
- Apr 10, 2018
- 6,311
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome too TFP J,
The advantage of being a TFP member is that help is a few click away. 15 minutes after you posted and you've already had three responses. Read a few threads and you'll come to realize that there is a large learning curve for new testers. For those that need help, we provide step-by-step directions on testing and adding chemicals. My advice is to spend some time in Pool School reviewing the key articles.
Take a look at some the test kit options at tftestkits.net. They provide the best value for the residential homeowner. The Smart Stir or Speed Stir will add consistency and accuracy to testing.
The advantage of being a TFP member is that help is a few click away. 15 minutes after you posted and you've already had three responses. Read a few threads and you'll come to realize that there is a large learning curve for new testers. For those that need help, we provide step-by-step directions on testing and adding chemicals. My advice is to spend some time in Pool School reviewing the key articles.
Take a look at some the test kit options at tftestkits.net. They provide the best value for the residential homeowner. The Smart Stir or Speed Stir will add consistency and accuracy to testing.
Welcome to TFP!
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!
Thanks, Texas Splash! And I am definitely NOT trusting just the appearance of the water! I am way to OCD and paranoid for that, lol. Nor do I trust the strips. I am taking samples to pool store with embarrassing frequency, lol. I just needed someone to tell me that yes, I will be able to figure out the quality test kits. I definitely know I need to get one, and I want to, but just am looking for some measure of assurance that I’ll be able to figure it out. I am already feeling a little better about that just from the few replies I have already received.Welcome to TFP!
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!
.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 51,990
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
You might checkout the TF-100 YouTube channel to see some testing in action. 
www.youtube.com
TF100TestKit
The TF-100 sets the standard for excellence in Pool Testing Kits. It contains 7 separate tests to give you accurate readings on each important pool water par...
www.youtube.com
Newdude, thank you! That thread was exactly what I needed to read to understand that many people have felt the same way as we do now. I have been reading many of the forum topics on here and also am in a FB group for pool owners, and I’ve seen many things discussed, but not being too dumb to read the pool tests, so I was afraid that was only me, lol. Gonna order a good one today, I think.
Rancho Cost-a-Lotta, thanks! I have been reading articles on the forums for newbies and on water chemistry and testing, and just from the few replies I’ve received, feel confidant enough to order one of the quality test kits recommended on here. Gonna do that today, I think.
- Apr 10, 2018
- 6,311
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Be careful with other pool groups. Many folks just repeat things they hear from the pool store, which is usually bad advice. Steer clear of magic potions and devices that add things to the pool you don't need. Trying to combine advice from TFP and other sources won't work. You're in good hands here.
Make sure when selecting a kit that includes the Taylor K-1766 salt test kit.
When the time comes, there are some pretty good testing tips here:
Extended Test Kit Directions Archives
www.troublefreepool.com
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,787
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Don't try to mix proven TFP methods with what you may see in that FB group or elsewhere.