How to interprete Taylor Kit results

[Sherra]

Waste:
I have a Taylor K-2006 that I am looking for replacement reagents for today. What's the difference between the K-2005 & K-2006? How ciritical is it regarding Ben's kit having a wider range for Chlorine & pH and is it something to consider replacing my current kit for?

Maybe this will help answer a few of your questions....straight from Ben himself...
http://www.poolsolutions.com/kit/ps234_intro.html

[KirstenHW]

Thanks Sherra. I have a vinyl pool, no heater or chlorinators, so I won't be refilling on the calcium supplies. Along this line, Ben's reagent lifespan chart at http://www.poolsolutions.com/kit/ps2...gent_life.html has a row for the PH #1/ R-0004 (pH indicator phenol red) reagent, but makes no reference whatever to either the acid (R-0005) or base (R-0006) demand reagents. Anyone know what the expected life span on these are?

[waste]

Kirsten, good to see you participating in the forum. While I'm not sure as to the specific differences in the 2005 &2006 kits (I've only used the 2005), they may have played around with the reagents (my 2005 has reagents R0001 - R0013 inclussive - if your 2006 has some other number for any of the tests, that's the difference)
As for lifespan on the 0004 & 0005, it should be the same as the other 'clear' reagents in your kit. Of course care for the chems is key to getting good, reliable results - I personally keep my kit in a soft sided 'six pack' cooler to alieviate the temp extreams, keep it behind my seat to avoid direct sun and take it home when there's a chance of freezing in the fall, durring the winter it stays on a shelf in the hallway on the second floor of my condo. This may sound a bit excessive but if the reagents are no good, neither are the tests I perform, nor the dosing I do for my customers.
While we're on the subject, there was a post last year where someone had said that they 'had just bought new reagents, therefore knew they were good' - I pointed out that even if the dealer they bought the reagents from is honest and reputable (and not all are), how about whoever supplied the reagents to him? Unless you are buying direct from the source, you stand a chance of recieving 'bad' reagents.
Which brings me to your other ? (about why I'm going to replace my 2005 with Ben's kit and if yo should), the broader pH allows for quicker 'airation' to reduce alkalinity (you have to stay above the minimum on your pH test and being able to know that the ph is 7.0 speeds up the process - the 2005 has a bottom reading of 7.0, which could mean the pH is actually closer to 6.6). The ~ infinate cl readings allow more precise 'shocking' without messing with dilution to test. It is this and the 'trusting who sells you the reagents' that makes me want to switch to Ben's kit - if anybody here thinks that Ben would sell expired or otherwise 'bad' chems, they probably shouldn't be here. - Just MHO _ _ Waste

[waterbear]

The difference between the Taylor K-2005 and K-2006 is the K-2005 uses the DPD test for FC and TC (comparator block and prone to bleach out at high chlorine levels unless you dilute) while the K-2006 uses FAS-DPD for FC and CC (titration test...will not bleach out at high chlorine levels and much more accurate, same as in Ben's kit). The other tests in the kit are the same. As far as the acid and base demand tests...pretty much usless except maybe when acid starting a new plaster pool. The k-2006 has the same functionality of the PS234 except for the acid and base demand tests and includes an OTO test for chlorine and the pH comparator has a wider scale, which can come in useful. Ben's is just a better value for your dollar because he gives enough reagents to do more tests before you need to buy refills (escpecially CYA and the titrants!)