Smart pool monitors?

[restoman]

Not sure this is the right area, but my 20 year old Aqua Rite Generator doesn't really give me a lot of information on what's actually going on in the pool. It really only tells me the salt level, voltage and current, so I'm always heading off to Leslie's pool to get a test. It's not a big deal, but I was thinking about buying something that I can place in my pool and get readings like Chlorine, PH, Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, CYA, Phosphates, etc... on my smart phone.

I see several brands but most of them don't have all the settings I'm looking for, so does anyone have any opinions on which one to buy?

Thanks
Ed

 

[mknauss]

You need a proper test kit. I suggest the TF-100/Pro or Taylor K2006C. A proper test kit is needed to get the accurate water chemistry results needed to follow the TFP protocols.

 

[restoman]

Those are great for most people, but I'm REALLY colorblind so I have a difficult time with these kits. I was hoping for something that I could toss in the pool and receive the results on my cell phone.

Ed

 

[mknauss]

Only color match is pH. And they make decent pH test pens, just have to keep calibrated.

 

[cwswifty]

Those are great for most people, but I'm REALLY colorblind so I have a difficult time with these kits. I was hoping for something that I could toss in the pool and receive the results on my cell phone.

Ed

TFP's recommendation will always be one of the kits that @mknauss mentioned. Unfortunately, 1 in 12 men & 1 in 200 women have some type of color blindness. The most common variant of color blindness is "red/green". Depending on the level of color blindness it can definitely be a struggle to see the shift from red to blue or green to red with the drop tests. The comparator block for pH is challenging as well.

Seems to me that the 2 most talked about water chemistry monitors are Water Guru & Sutro. I wish either of those were proven to be long term accurate and reliable because that would REALLY be convenient. Unfortunately, from my research, I don't believe they are. I can offer my personal experience with an Apera pH 60 Meter. I purchased mine last May (8th) and it has not needed a single calibration to maintain accurate pH readings to within +/- 0.01. Much more accuracy than required for pool chemistry.

 

[mknauss]

The two color changing tests are TA and CH. Murrieta CA, will have rising TA and CH. So sadly, those are critical tests.

 

[restoman]

I've been doing more research (on Google and here) and I realize that apparently none of the systems out there are perfect, heck, even the systems at Leslie's vary between each other, but for someone like me that's color blind (and lazy), I think maybe the Waterguru SENSE S2 would be a good fit. It's not that expensive and it seems to have "fair to good" reviews. Unless someone can recommend something else?

Ed

 

[cwswifty]

I've been doing more research (on Google and here) and I realize that apparently none of the systems out there are perfect, heck, even the systems at Leslie's vary between each other, but for someone like me that's color blind (and lazy), I think maybe the Waterguru SENSE S2 would be a good fit. It's not that expensive and it seems to have "fair to good" reviews. Unless someone can recommend something else?

Ed

I wouldn’t use Leslie’s testing as a benchmark. Under ideal conditions they aren’t great. Add in the uncertainty of improper calibration and an employee who leaves much to be desired and it can be horrible.

Some here have experimented with Water Guru. Maybe they’ll chime in and offer some insight.

 

[restoman]

I wouldn’t use Leslie’s testing as a benchmark. Under ideal conditions they aren’t great. Add in the uncertainty of improper calibration and an employee who leaves much to be desired and it can be horrible.

Good point. And yes, if you happen to have the WaterGuru Sense S2, PLEASE chime in!

Ed