Poolmaster 22260 Water Test Kit Review
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Keeping a good eye on the water is the key to maintaining your swimming pool.
this is why testing the quality of your pool water should never be taken for granted.
Fortunately, there are a many kinds of pool test kits and digital pool monitoring systems available today, and all you need to do is pick the right one that suits your needs.
A pool test kit is specially designed to accurately check the water’s chemical balance in the pool, ensuring it’s safe to swim in.
Excessive use, heavy rainfall, and contamination can upset the balance, leading to the growth of bacteria and algae.
This is where Poolmaster 22260 Water Test Kit comes to play. It can help you determine what’s going on in your pool and keep the water clean all the time.
Considering its accuracy for five chemical aspects, there is no doubt why this water kit is the go-to choice for many pool owners people.
The Poolmaster 22260 test kit mainly stands out for providing accurate and easy-to-read results.
The package includes a test block with UV-protected color chips. The kit has enough reagent to last for one to two seasons, depending on how often you use them.
Additionally, everything is nicely organized in a sturdy polyethylene case.
BONUS: if you are looking for a budget-friendly option to keep tabs on your pool’s chemical balance, this is a great choice.
Product Specifications
- Brand: Poolmaster
- Model: 22260
- Weight: 15.4 ounces
- Number of tests: 5
- Testing style: Liquid Drops
Unique Features
5-way Test Kit
This kit is ideal for testing Chlorine, Bromine, pH, Acid Demand, and Total Alkalinity levels in your swimming pool. It gives you accurate readings at affordable rates.
Polyethylene Case
All the reagents come in a solid polyethylene case that is capable of taking abuse. Moreover, it allows easy storage.
Clear-View Round Test Block
You will find a clear-view round test block integrated with the color chips. These chips are UV-protected as well, so the colors won’t fade over time.
Long-Lasting Test Chemicals
All the test solutions are packed in either a 0.5-ounce bottle or a 1.0-ounce bottle. They are enough to carry out multiple tests for one or two seasons.
Limitations
Just like any other product, the Poolmaster 22260 kit has its limitations. These include:
Complex Instructions
The instruction manual that comes in the package is a bit confusing.
You might find it difficult to comprehend the instructions and end up messing the whole test.
On top of that, the results can be inaccurate if the procedure is not properly followed.
Hard to Interpret
Some people find it difficult to distinguish between colors, making the whole experience cumbersome.
There are also complaints of not getting clear results in the chlorine test.
How to Use The Poolmaster 22260 Test Kit
Checking the water quality of your in-ground or above-ground swimming pool is not difficult.
It might seem like a daunting task, but it just involves the following simple steps:
Step 1: Take a Water Sample
Start by filling the vial with the pool water. Make sure the vial is filled to the line on the column.
Step 2: Test for Chlorine and Residual Chlorine
Now add five drops of Solution 1 in the vial and place the cap. Next, invert the vial upside down several times, so the solution is properly mixed with the pool water.
Step 3: Compare the Colors
Wait for two to three seconds, and then compare the color in the vial with the chlorine standards. This will help you determine free chlorine levels.
In order to determine combined chlorine levels, wait for two to three minutes and then compare the colors again. The ideal chlorine value is 2.0.
Step 4: Test Bromine
Rinse the vial and fill it with pool water up to the line. Add five drops of solution 1 and invert it upside down several times after putting the cap.
Compare the color in the vial with the standards within 30 seconds. The desirable bromine value is 4.4 ppm.
Step 5: Test Pool’s pH level
Take the large vial and fill it to the top line marked ‘pH and Acid Demand.’ Add one drop of Solution 4 and mix it gently.
Now, add five drops of Solution 2 and place the cap. Mix all the contents by swirling.
Determine the pH level by comparing the color in the vial with the pH standards on the right. The ideal pH value ranges from 7.2 to 7.6.
Step 6: Test for Acid Demand
Use the water sample from the pH test and add Solution 3. Make sure to count each drop and swirl between these drops.
Keep on adding the drops until the color matches that of the 7.4 color standard.
Refer to the Acid Demand Table in the user manual to determine the exact amount of acid you should add to the pool.
Step 7: Test for Total Alkalinity
Carefully rinse the large vial and fill it with pool water to the lower dash line marked “Alkalinity.”
Add one drop of Solution 4 and mix.
Then add two drops of Solution 5 and mix it gently.
Now add Solution 3 drop by drop, counting each drop and mixing between each drop.
Keep adding until the color becomes light yellow or green.
Determine the total alkalinity of water by multiplying the number of drops of Solution 3 used by 10.
Step 8: Rinse and Dry the Vial
Once you have performed all the tests, make sure to rinse and dry the tester completely.
Pack the kit and store it in a safe place.
How it Compares With Taylor Service 2006C Pool Test Kit
Since the market is saturated with water test kits, you might get confused about getting the right one.
Test kits from Taylor Service and Poolmaster are the most well-known. However, there are some differences between the two, including:
Price
When it comes to price, Taylor Service 2006C lies on the higher end of the spectrum.
The Poolmaster 22260 allows you to keep track of the water quality at affordable rates.
Accuracy
The accuracy level of Poolmaster 22260 is not considered reliable for combined chlorine.
On the other hand, the Taylor Service 2006C test kit remarkably handles combined chlorine readings.
Where to Buy
You can find the Poolmaster 22260 pool test kit at Amazon and at finer pool supply stores nationwide.
About the Author
Roger Corbinetti I’ve owned a pool for over 20 years. During that time, I have owned and reviewed dozens of pool cleaners, especially robotic pool cleaners. I created RoboticPoolCleanersCompared to help other home owners leverage my experience to select the right pool cleaner, pool heater, pool cover and modern pool appliance for their needs & budget.
