Salt drop test

[doriec]

Could someone direct me to a website that sells a testing kit for salt levels in a pool? The info would be greatly appreciated. We are going to buy an SWG. We have been filling with softened water for 2 years and adding lots of bleach because of our heavy swim load. We would just like to see where our salt levels are already. Thanks, Dorie

[PatL34]

You can order the Taylor salt test kit (#K1766) from your local pool store. Do not be sidetracked into buying a meter, which will cost 5 - 6 times as much, and not give the accuracy.

Or you can order Ben's PS234 test kit which has the salt test kit included.

Pat

[waterbear]

You can order the Taylor salt test kit (#K1766) from your local pool store. Do not be sidetracked into buying a meter, which will cost 5 - 6 times as much, and not give the accuracy.

Or you can order Ben's PS234 test kit which has the salt test kit included.

Pat

A properly calibarated meter will give you the accuracy. If you have your own meter and standard solutions for calibration and keep it calibarated it is probably more accurate than a drop based test. It will cost a LOT more money however! Goldline makes a good portable, waterproof one and the MyronL meters are an industry standard.

[waterbear]

Also, I have double checked the aquachek salt test strips several times against a meter and they are pretty much in the ballpark and fairly easy to read (but the test does take a while to complete...not exactly dip and read!) they use the same chromate/siver nitrate chemistry as the drop kit but the drop kit does give better resolution (accuracy) at higher salt levels (above about 2500ppm or so)

[cwstnsko]

I have strips that I got from the builder when starting up my pool. Drop kit I found at the local Leslies for about $20, and a waterproof meter with 3000 ppm calibration solution I got from E-bay for about $50. The are all within about 100 ppm of each other. The Meter is by far the easiest, but I haven't had it long enough to know if the calibration holds well. The drops are a bit freaky to use (solids preciptate out etc.), but the color change is VERY clear. Resolution on my kit is 200 PPM. Strips are still accurate after 2 years, but are annoyingly slow to use. They all work well enough to figure out how much salt to add

[Lenny]

cwstnsko, could you tell me what model meter you bought? I have a SWG on the way and if a meter can be had for $50 that's a no brainer, IMO. How does the quality stack up against other meters?

Thanks.