Best swimming pool test strips according to redditors
We found 8 Reddit comments discussing the best swimming pool test strips. We ranked the 5 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 8 Reddit comments discussing the best swimming pool test strips. We ranked the 5 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
If you really want to find out, you can get a simple water test kit that will show you the amounts of chlorine and copper in your water (along with other stuff like lead, mercury, etc).
Tbh at my pool at the Y we run our chlorine mostly between 3-5. As said previously, higher bather load (more swimmers) usually means 5-10ppm. They meant chlorine at 1.5, a 1.5 pH would be absolutely incredible and dangerous. I consider 1.5 to be low, but we would not close our pool over it, just add more. 1 is closing.
You can get one of these testers at any pool store or Walmart for pretty cheap peace of mind. They have instructions inside that are very easy to follow. I'd be slightly offended if you tested my pool, but I also check the chemicals hourly and I'd know what they are if you asked me, so I doubt your lifeguards will say anything. Clearly they don't keep good records. You should complain about that. Not trying to make you paranoid, but the ones who don't check chemicals are not necessarily the best lifeguards either.
If it's cloudy, good call not to swim. If it smells strongly or makes your eyes water from deck, don't swim. I'll add that if you do get a tester and the pH is not between 7.2-7.8, then don't swim.
Can I ask what the hours of your pool are? IMO 3 times a day is not enough if it's open relatively 24/7.
Edit: You can totally buy strips. Never used them before, but they are also probably at any pool store or walmart. I would probably be amused if you did this at my pool. It's probably a lot subtler than the dropper-testers.
Edit 2: I feel like I should add that I would let you test my pool if you wanted to, even if it would hurt my feelings. I feel like up top there I insinuated that it wouldn't be okay, but it would be fine. I have nothing to hide.
Not as good as soaking in water with just a tiny bit of bleach. You'd be amazed how little bleach it takes. For a home sink, probably somewhere between and eighth and a quarter cap of bleach, then filled with water. Let the plate soak for 30-60 seconds, and you're done.
Most cities require a 3-compartment sink for wash, rinse, sanitize for their restaurants. I've seen people ignore the sanitize part of the job, which makes no sense. When you're in a commercial setting, it takes such a small amount of extra time to set it up. Many kitchens use alternative sanitizers (including ammonia-based quaternary products), but if you want to try bleach on your own, you can get paper test strips. Again, you'd be quite surprised just how little bleach it takes to be effective.
I would be more concerned about making sure its cleaned out. There is this cleaner you can get that will clear out the jets and remove grime from the piping. https://www.amazon.com/Ahh-Some-Cleaner-Clearer-Efficiently-Clarifier/dp/B0030MYGXW/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1E6AKXTRWDK91&keywords=hot+tub+cleaner+for+the+jets+and+the+tubes&qid=1568212796&s=gateway&sprefix=hot+tub+cleaner%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFMUlA2OVlOUjRVR1AmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2NjI0NzExTU1INjZBVjJFMUw0JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAzNjQ1MTIxWDJRQkxaVjI5QkM5JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== . I moved into my place 2 years ago and it came with a hot tub from the 90's. After using the cleaner, there was a ton of nasty buildup in the pipes. Once that's done, drain it and give it a good scrub down. Then change the filter.
Download the manual for your hot tub and read it to make sure you are performing proper weekly maintenance and using the correct chemicals. For example, some tubs take bromine tablets, some don't. There may also be some other cool features that you might not know about.
Get some hot tub test strips https://www.amazon.com/Poolmaster-22211-Swimming-Chemistry-Strips/dp/B001E6E9PG/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=hot+tub+test+strips&qid=1568212610&s=gateway&sr=8-3
Use them once or twice a week depending on hot tub usage. Then add any chemicals as needed. Make sure you fill up your hot tub once a week at least to make sure your jets are covered.
I'm all about confirming an issue before trying to resolve it - so you might use a testing kit to check the hardness of your water. Might be overkill - or might be enough to make you feel good about installing a water softener. I saw someone else mentioned the water heater might be full of sediment. I believe you're supposed to drain the water heater every year to help, but those things will build up over time no matter what. A test kit might also let you check your normal cold water - as well as your hard water to see if build-up really is a problem. Good Luck!
Maybe someone should buy MIL some of these as a late Mother's Day present.
It is way easier than you are making it out to be honestly. We bought one about 3 yrs ago and I was in your spot and I seriously got it dialed in really fast. This is what I use to test water every couple days:
https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Spring-Freshwater-Portable-Strips/dp/B00ASYBBWO
I would say here is great place to get questions answered honestly but there is also some forums too. Don't let chemicals scare you it is really easy to do you will see and will look back and say why did I even worry about it :)