New to Pool Maintenance..

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Ricasso
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New to Pool Maintenance..

Postby Ricasso » Tue Dec 19, 2017 7:14 pm

New house with pool...!
As a complete pool care novice, can anyone advise me on the best pH/Chlorine tester kit to get? I haven't a clue where to start.

Any advice so gratefully received!

many thanks,
Ricasso,
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casita-bonita
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Re: New to Pool Maintenance..

Postby casita-bonita » Tue Dec 19, 2017 9:59 pm

I can never tell whether the pH is correct with either the strips or drop testers. So I use a pH meter, which are pretty cheap from eBay or Chinese shops. I use Aquacheck strips for everything else. Shows a little purple then I have sufficient chlorine.

Other people prefer the drops, or tablets. None of the testing kits are particularly expensive so try out each and stick with what you prefer.
Regards

Bob

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peteroldracer
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Re: New to Pool Maintenance..

Postby peteroldracer » Tue Dec 19, 2017 10:55 pm

Whatever you use, get the ph right and settled before you do anything else.
I used to cough to disguise a [email protected] I f@rt to disguise a cough.

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Flexo
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Re: New to Pool Maintenance..

Postby Flexo » Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:06 am

When you buy a pH meter you should not buy the cheapest type with a built in sensor into the display, you should spend another 100 EUR and get a separate display with an attached sensor so you can replace the sensor part somewhat easily. They last significantly longer and you don't need to store it permanently soaked in water. If you buy the cheapest type you will need to get at least two different units and make two separate measurements.

Milwaukee is my personal favourite but there are plenty of others. Get calibration fluids at the same time even though regular calibration is less important with pools than plants.

casita-bonita
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Re: New to Pool Maintenance..

Postby casita-bonita » Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:41 am

Err, possibly a dumb question, but why would you need two units?
Regards

Bob

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Re: New to Pool Maintenance..

Postby Gasman » Wed Dec 20, 2017 1:06 pm

Hi Ricasso
We manage perfectly well with the kit using the drops - you can get the kit from the same place as supplies your chlorine and pH correctors. It does not cost a lot and will last all year - a lot of people prefer to get a new kit each year .... It is simple to use and self-explanatory BUT the important thing as Peter OR says, is to check and correct the pH first. The Chlorine is a complete waste of time until you get your pH correct, Of course you need the kit first to tell you if you need the pH corrector as plus, or minus - clearly marked on the tubs at your specialist shop.
At the start of the season, we check the pH, then SHOCK the pool water with chlorine powder as instructed on the tub to get a reasonable reading on the testing kit for the chlorine level, then continue during the season with tablets - we have found that the 3-in-1 tablets (in floater basket/s) do the best job of keeping algae at bay as well as keeping the chlorine level within limits. As the season goes on and the really hot weather kicks in, you may find you need to shock with a dose of chlorine again, but you will be expert by then! And the kit ensures that you keep checking your pH which can alter particularly as you top up the pool with fresh water. Your should test at least once a week during the season to keep your levels right.
Do a search in previous postings for lots more info on how to maintain your pool - good luck and let us know how you get on.

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Re: New to Pool Maintenance..

Postby TorreDelAguila » Wed Dec 20, 2017 7:01 pm

Tester kits with two sets of drops are more reliable for occasional use than cheap pH meters. All pH meters, even very expensive ones, need regular re-calibrating using standard test solutions, and so are not best suited to intermittent use.

When you get more used to things, for a good price on multi-function pool tablets (and other pool chemicals and accessories), avoid the "pool shops" (and be careful with some of the supermarkets), and try plumber's merchants instead. The latter is where folk who look after pools for a living tend to obtain their supplies.
Chris

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Flexo
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Re: New to Pool Maintenance..

Postby Flexo » Wed Dec 20, 2017 7:32 pm

casita-bonita wrote:Err, possibly a dumb question, but why would you need two units?
Because the cheap ones are notoriously unreliable so you will likely not get a good reading from only one. By using two every time you can calculate an average.

Ricasso
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Re: New to Pool Maintenance..

Postby Ricasso » Fri Dec 22, 2017 11:29 am

Thanks so much everyone for the info. I will check previous posts on the subject of Pool Maintenance. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it pretty quickly but your advice is a great help. Thanks again..
Ricasso,
Axarquía

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peteroldracer
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Re: New to Pool Maintenance..

Postby peteroldracer » Fri Dec 22, 2017 11:32 am

A book that I used as my pool bible “how blue is your pool”.
I used to cough to disguise a [email protected] I f@rt to disguise a cough.


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