Opinion on Poolmaster Test Kit

[JPMorgan]

I know Taylor test kits are recommended on TFP. Is the 5-way Poolmaster test kit just garbage or does it have a place? I have been using one for years and have had pretty good success with my pool. Purchased the Taylor FAS-DPD test kits last year and it really has helped with getting accurate chlorine levels, so will definitely be using that. The Poolmaster kit gives me quick readings when I don't have a lot of time and is simple to use. Is it suitable for basic Chlorine, pH and TA testing or should I throw the kit out and start with a new TF-100?

 

[mknauss]

The Poolmaster kit is fine for TA and pH. You have a FAS-DPD for FC.

What about CH and CYA? Especially CYA.

The ease of having one box with all tests with room for my Speedstir and only having to get refills once per year is great to me.

Take care.

 

[Bama Rambler]

Since it's about time to replenish the FAS-DPD kit and if your poolmaster kit is a year or so old, you should consider just getting a complete TF100.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

It’s fine for a quick total chlorine reading (OTO) but I never trust chlorine numbers from an OTO kit. It’s merely a “presence of chlorine” test. The pH test is phenol red like the Taylor kit but I doubt they add the same dechlorinating chemicals to it so it's more susceptible to inaccuracy when FC is higher than 5ppm. The TA side of the test is not the same as the Taylor kit and I always found that it read 10-20 ppm higher than the Taylor kit.

It’s fine for quick testing but I wouldn’t put too much faith in the numbers you get out of it.

 

[JPMorgan]

Thanks for all the comments. I plan to use up what I have left in the Poolmaster kit a switch to a Taylor test kit.

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks for the comments. In the Poolmaster Kit, when you test pH you add reagent #4 which is the dechlorinating agent before the phenol red. Wouldn't that take care of any high chlorine readings that might impact test results?

 

[mknauss]

Only up to the limit of the test. As Matt stated, most of the typical test kits are only set up for a max FC of 5 ppm (some even 3 ppm). So your pH is only good if your FC is under 5 ppm.

The K1000 is set up to handle a max FC of 10 ppm for the pH test.

Take care.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

The de-chlorinating reagent used is sodium thiosulfate, same as the reagent used in the Taylor TA test. Problem is, thiosulfate reduction of chlorine is not a pH neutral reaction as it can raise the pH of the resulting mixture. The Taylor reagent has two different chemicals in it for reducing chlorine and they act in a pH neutral way up to 10ppm FC. So the Taylor drop formulation is simply better at reducing chlorine in a way that doesn’t mess up the test.

 

[JPMorgan]

Thanks again. Will be testing my water with a Taylor test kit tomorrow and from now on. Just received an 8 oz. refill bottle of Poolmaster Phenol Red today from Amazon because I go to through the stuff quickly. Back to Amazon tomorrow!

 

[JPMorgan]

Any suggestions on where to get the TF-100 quickly? Don't really want to order online and wait days for it? I am in west Chicago suburbs.

 

[zea3]

The TF 100 is only available online at tftestkits.net, but they have very quick shipping.