Test Kit Selection Guide |
Test Kit Brand |
AquaChek Gold 5way |
Taylor Professional |
AquaChek (bromine) |
AquaChek (chlorine) |
Leisure Time |
Nature² | Taylor Copper |
Lamotte Ozone |
Lamotte Copper |
ProCheck Copper |
Test Parameter (range) |
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Total Chlorine (ppm) |
x (0 - 10) | x (0.5 - 5) | ||||||||
Free Chlorine (ppm) |
x (0 - 10) | x (0.5 - 5) | x (0 - 10) | x (0 - 10) | ||||||
Combined Chlorine (ppm) |
||||||||||
Bromine (ppm) |
x (0 - 10) | x (0 - 10) | x (0 - 10) | |||||||
MPS (non-chlorine shock - ppm) |
x | |||||||||
pH |
x (6.2 - 8.4) | x (6.8 - 8.2) | x (6.2 - 8.4) | x (6.2 - 8.4) | x (6.8 - 8.4) | x (6.8 - 8.4) | x (6.0 - 9.0) | |||
Acid Demand |
x | |||||||||
Base Demand |
x | |||||||||
Total Alkalinity (ppm) |
x (0 - 240) | x | x (0 - 240) | x (0 - 240) | x (0 - 180) | x (0 - 180) | x (0 - 360) | |||
Calcium Hardness |
x (0 - 1000) | x | x (5 0 - 800) | |||||||
Copper ppm) |
x (0 - 2.0) | x (0.05 - 1.0) | x (0 - 2.0) | |||||||
Ozone (ppm) |
x(0.01 - 0.1) |
Total Chlorine
Total Chlorine is the combination of both Free Chlorine AND Combined Chlorine. With test kits that test only Free & Combined chlorine, Total Chlorine is the sum of these two tests. For example, 2.0ppm Free Chlorine, and 0.2ppm Combined Chlorine, equals 2.2ppm Total Chlorine.Free Chlorine
Free Chlorine is the measurement of the amount of chlorine available to actually sanitize the water.Combined Chlorine
Combined Chlorine is a measurement of the amount of chlorine in the water that has already done its work. Combined Chlorine, called chloramines, causes "chlorine" smell, irritation of skin and eyes, AND has NO sanitizing ability. With test kits that measure only Free & Total Chlorine, Combined Chlorine is determined by subtracting the two. For example, 2.0ppm Free Chlorine and 2.5ppm Total Chlorine yields 0.5ppm Combined Chlorine.Bromine
Bromine is a measurement similar to Total Chlorine, and is only used when Bromine compounds are the primary sanitizer.pH
pH (short for Potential of Hydrogen) is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline your water is. Dry acid (sodium bisulfate or pH down) is used to lower this number. Soda ash (sodium carbonate) is used to raise it. The human eye prefers a slightly alkaline environment of approximately 7.4-7.8. Water that is too acidic (low pH) can cause skin and eye irritation and will corrode metal parts. Water that is too alkaline (high pH) reduces chlorine and bromine effectiveness.Acid Demand
Acid demand is a measurement that approximates the amount of acid your water needs to lower its pH to a specific value. This test should only be done if the pH test is higher than the recommended range. Then, it should only be used as a guideline of how much acid to add.Base Demand
The opposite of Acid Demand, Base Demand is a measurement that approximates the amount of basic material your water needs to raise its pH to a specific value. This test should only be done if the pH test is lower than the recommended range. Then, it should only be used as a guideline of how much base or alkali to add.Total Alkalinity
Although related, this should not be confused with pH. This test measures the amount of material in your water that helps control and stabilize pH (low TA will cause pH fluctuation, high pH will make adjusting the pH difficult). This test should be performed any time pH is adjusted, or if pH tests begin to vary significantly between tests.Calcium Hardness
Calcium is a mineral found naturally in water. The Hardness test is a measure of the quantity of calcium in the water. Too much calcium in the water will cause scale to build up inside heaters. Too little calcium will cause corrosion of metal parts.