Test with accuracy

Are test strips accurate?

This is a very common question we are asked in the store. The answer is yes they are very accurate in fact I think the only reason we question it is because we are all so use to seeing liquid test kits used. Take a moment and consider that test strips are used all the time for medical test results, diabetic's use them constantly with out any question to there accuracy.

Here is the catch though we have found some import brands test strips to be a little off and don't offer a very good scale to compare the results with. We strongly suggest you stick with known trusted brands we prefer Aquachek. Additionally how you test and where you store your test strips is super important. To start store your test strip bottle inside the house not out side with the chemicals. Test strips, as with liquid reagents, are very sensitive to temperature and storing them outside can often cause them to go bad. Along with temperature the UV from the sun can negatively affect the strips. Additionally double check the expiration of the strips printed typically on the bottom of the bottle or near the UPC code.

Proper testing is equally important which is as simple as following the directions. Often this is where customers go wrong either they just grab a strip dip in swish it around and then compare the colors or they do what the instructions of another brand told them to do. Different strips have different instructions and take the minute to read them before testing and you will a quick accurate result.

You can take your testing to the next level by using a TruTest Meter from aquachek. This meter will quickly and super accurately read your test strip giving you results that are simply unmatched. We use a very similar meter in the store for all our testing, frankly the only difference is ours reads more types of test and is directly tied into our computer but the concept is the exact same.

A final note there are a few apps on the market right now for reading test strips and then giving you the results and a to do list. We have test everyone of them from the free to the paid one and at this point we have not found one the is consist ant and accurate. We strongly recommend against these apps for the time being but are sure that sometime hopefully soon this is something that will work.

We do have a $10.00 off coupon for the trutest reader on our website if you would like to try it.

Have a question about swimming pool testing or the results in general drop us a note or post your question, others may have a similar question.

Your swimming pool prescription

There is no doubt summer is here and just in time for a fun filled fourth of July weekend.  Swimming pools are warming up and getting used more and more each day.  We mentioned on our previous post that we use two special ingredients in the swimming pools on our service route the fist was the pool perfect we discussed previously.  The second in a Pool Rx. 

Let me first take a moment and eat a little crow for throwing the sales rep out of the store so many times several years ago and thank him for being so persistent.  At least once a week the latest and greatest item is pitched to us and so often it is just snake oil made to take your hard earn money.  Since we feel, and rightly so, that if we are asking you to spend your money on a product it need to do what it says it will do and provide a value doing it.   The sales rep finally left us 3 units to try in "our worst pools" so we said sure we give them a try.  With in a few weeks we had to call and say he was right the pool rx really does work and work well.

So what does the Pool Rx do for you, well there are a few things.  First it kills all algae types in fact it is so good it is part of our no algae guarantee in the store. Equally nice it allows you to lower your chlorine level from the standard 1.5 - 3.0ppm to a very low .5 - 1.0ppm level.  This is a level often lower then your shower water.  Imagine swimming in that and how it will feel on the eyes and skin.

The Pool Rx is good for one year with a booster pack required after 6 months.  It requires no special installation or hardware simply place in your pool pump basket.  Since the Pool Rx is compatible with all form of chlorine including salt water pools we can not recommend it strongly enough.