Pool Test Kit Comparison

Contributor

4 years ago

Ok, so I was trained testing water with reagents. Especially on a Taylor water test station. I am admittedly a little biased. I have done thousands, I mean THOUSANDS. Over 300 a week in the Summer months. I ran the busiest water testing store in the entire district. At times, the whole company. Pool Test Kit Comparison.

When I converted to Mom & Pop, I was blind-sided by a strange animal called a Lamont Spin Lab. I was like, “Huh? You mean to tell me I squirt a bit of water into a disc…stand there for 2 min 14 seconds and voila? A water test is born? Cray cray. At first, I was on board, but then I began to suspect something may be off.

Close Enough for Horse Shoes?

Perhaps it was TOO easy. Lo and behold, the machine needed to be calibrated. The rep showed me how, and I was spinning away again. Then a trend of low alkalinity sprung up. I called the rep back, and he ran the calibration disc only to tell me the findings were “in range” of accuracy? Wth? I don’t want it to be almost right.

Domo Arigato Spin Lab vs. Taylor Drop Test ?

So I never know how far off this contraption is going to be. Then I started remembering that I am NOT actually a machine, much to my chagrin. I am sure I am probably only “in range” myself with my reagents. So, just for fun (because I am a huge pool nerd), I did an experiment. Spin Lab versus Watertest Station. Annndddd….fight!

The contestants:

Taylor Water Test Station

Lamont Spin Lab

The spin lab test comes first. I poured out my sample that I had one of the techs bring in from a commercial property.

Filling the disc, just past the guideline line. Too full or not full enough yields inaccurate results every time.

I threw it in the lab

I secured the lid. Yup…I have TOTALLY run it without by mistake.

I set the proper parameters and ran the test.

While I was waiting, I started my Taylor test. I didn’t want the results of the spin test to sway me.

I checked the TDS on a TDS meter for both tests.

Me wondering why its 2,800, and the pool tech hasn’t suggested draining.

I performed all the necessary tests using reagents.

FAC, PH, TA, Calcium, CYA

For Phosphates, I prefer test strips

Natural Chemistry Phosphate Strips

I noted my water test station results. Then, I fetched my results from the Spin lab.

Much to my suprise (kinda), there were some significant variances. Some, not so much.

What bothered me was the fact that the difference put it in range versus out of range in a couple fields.

I re-checked the large variances, such as calcium hardness.

Similar story Why Test my Pool for Calcium Hardness ❔

Nope. They were different. So, what did my experiment tell me? Just what I already knew. The spin lab is too low reading alkalinity and too high in calcium . Because of failing in these 2 areas, I have no choice but to dub the Taylor Water Test lab the winner in this match anyway.

Did my drops drip?

Could I have misfilled the disc? Sure. Could my droplets have been varying in size? Absolutely. I encourage you to do your own tests and see what ya find.

All I know is that to me, You look like lots of fun. Open up your bottles now, water test here I come.