Testing with the Taylor Test Kit

Summary

This video guide demonstrates the steps to properly test pool and spa water. It covers the essential procedures for measuring free chlorine, total chlorine, bromine, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid levels. The process includes specific instructions on using various reagents and comparators, with tips on handling high readings and dilution when necessary. The guide emphasizes the importance of accurate testing to maintain optimal water chemistry for both pools and spas, ensuring effective sanitation and water balance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Choose the right location for water testing, avoiding dead zones such as corners, steps, or areas near pool return lines.
• 😀 When testing a spa, ensure that jets and blowers are turned off to get accurate readings.
• 😀 Always take water samples 12 to 18 inches below the surface for both pools and spas to get the most representative results.
• 😀 For free chlorine testing, add five drops each of reagent #1 and reagent #2 to a 9ml sample, then mix and compare the color with the standard.
• 😀 Record free chlorine as the available chlorine that sanitizes and oxidizes the water. Afterward, test total chlorine by adding reagent #3, mixing, and comparing the result.
• 😀 To calculate combined chlorine, subtract the free chlorine from the total chlorine.
• 😀 For bromine testing, follow the same procedure as chlorine testing, but compare the sample to the bromine scale on the comparator block.
• 😀 If the color exceeds the comparator scale, dilute the sample by adding tap water and adjusting the concentration accordingly.
• 😀 For pH testing, fill the large comparator tube with 44ml of sample water, add five drops of reagent #4, mix, and compare the result.
• 😀 To test total alkalinity, use reagent #7, #8, and #9, and record the result by counting the number of drops required to turn the sample from green to red.
• 😀 Test calcium hardness by adding reagent #10, #11, and #12, counting the drops until the color turns blue, and record the result.
• 😀 For cyanuric acid testing, mix pool water with reagent #13 and check the black dot's disappearance through the comparator tube, recording the stabilizer level.

Q & A

Why is it important to choose the right location for testing pool or spa water?

It is important to pick a location away from dead zones, such as corners or steps, and away from pool return lines to ensure an accurate water sample, as these areas can have stagnant or non-representative water.

What should you do when testing a spa's water?

When testing a spa, make sure to turn off the jets and blowers to avoid interference with the sample and ensure a more accurate reading.

How deep should the water sample be taken when testing pools and spas?

The water sample should be taken 12 to 18 inches below the surface for both pools and spas to ensure the sample is representative of the overall water chemistry.

How do you test for free chlorine in pool or spa water?

To test for free chlorine, fill a small comparator tube to the 9ml mark, add 5 drops each of reagent number 1 and reagent number 2, cap and invert to mix, then compare the color to the standard and record the result.

What is the difference between free chlorine and total chlorine?

Free chlorine is the chlorine available to sanitize and oxidize the water, while total chlorine includes both free chlorine and combined chlorine (chlorine that has reacted with contaminants). To find combined chlorine, subtract free chlorine from total chlorine.

How do you test bromine levels in the water?

To test bromine, repeat the free chlorine test but match the sample to the bromine scale on the comparator block. If the color is off the scale, dilute the sample with tap water and adjust accordingly by multiplying the result by a factor of 2 or 5.

What should you do if the color of the chlorine or bromine sample is off the scale?

If the color is off the scale, dilute the sample with tap water and adjust by filling the comparator tube with pool water to the 4.5ml line and topping up with tap water to the 9ml line. After mixing, compare the sample and multiply by 2 or 5 as needed.

How do you test the pH level of pool or spa water?

To test pH, rinse the comparator tube, fill it to the 44ml mark with pool water, add 5 drops of reagent number 4, cap and invert to mix, then record the pH value based on the color comparison.

What additional tests can you perform with the Taylor K 2005c test kit?

In addition to pH testing, the Taylor K 2005c test kit allows you to perform acid demand and base demand tests, which help determine how much product is needed to adjust the pH level to the desired range.

How do you test total alkalinity in pool or spa water?

To test total alkalinity, fill a large comparator tube to the 25ml mark, add 2 drops of reagent number 7 and 5 drops of reagent number 8, then swirl to mix. After that, add reagent number 9 drop by drop, stopping when the color changes from green to red. Multiply the result by 10 to record the total alkalinity.

How do you test calcium hardness in pool or spa water?

To test calcium hardness, fill the comparator tube to the 25ml mark, add 20 drops of reagent number 10, then swirl and add 5 drops of reagent number 11. The sample should turn reddish-purple. Add reagent number 12 drop by drop, swirling the tube until the color changes to blue. Multiply by 10 to record the result.

How do you test cyanuric acid (stabilizer) levels in the water?

To test cyanuric acid, fill the cyanuric acid testing bottle to the 7ml mark with pool water, then add reagent number 13 to the 14ml mark and mix for 30 seconds. Slowly add the solution to the small comparator tube until the black dot just disappears. Record the cyanuric acid level based on this observation.