Which test

[Kathyteacher]

Which is the best pool water test kit to buy?
Thanks

[DBServices]

I like and use the Taylor 2006 it not only lets you do all your tests needed it will also shows what to add to get the water in the range needed.

[chem geek]

The Taylor K-2006 is indeed an excellent kit and you can buy it online at a good price here. You can also get the TF100 kit from tftestkits(dot)com here that uses Taylor reagents in more logical quantities and provides 36% more tests so is comparably priced to the other online link. A comparison of the two kits is described here.

Both kits will test for Free Chlorine (FC), Combined Chlorine (CC), pH, Total Alkalinity (TA), Cyanuric Acid (CYA) and Calcium Hardness (CH). They both use a FAS-DPD test for chlorine which is very accurate with resolution down to 0.2 ppm and just has you count the drops till the sample turns from pink/red to clear -- no ambiguous comparisons against a standard. Also, unlike the more common DPD "compare the intensity of pink/red" test, the FAS-DPD test will not bleach out at higher chlorine levels (it can test up to 50 ppm). It also accurately distinguishes Free Chlorine from Combined Chlorine, unlike the OTO "compare the intensity of yellow" test found in inexpensive kits.

For determining what quantity of chemicals to add, you can use The Pool Calculator.

Richard