AquaChek Strips
FAQ
Test Strips:
Frequently
Asked Questions
Do
test strips really work?
Yes.
Test strips were developed in the medical diagnostic industry in the 1960's.
Since that time, they have replaced liquid reagent tests for urine and blood
testing. AquaChek Test Strips use that same technology.
How
accurate are they?
Test
strips are at minimum comparable in accuracy to liquid color comparator
tests. Because AquaChek test strips are
more convenient, we believe they actually deliver greater accuracy. They reduce the
chances of human error associated with liquid kits, which require measuring samples and
counting drops of reagent.
What
information supports the accuracy of test strips?
AquaChek test strips are
manufactured and released against standard reference procedures from the 17th Edition
of Standard Methods For the Examination of Water and Waste Water.
Is DPD more accurate?
The DPD test for chlorine can be
affected by interferences, such as an overabundance of mono-chloramines or potassium
mono-persulfate (used for shock-treating pools). These can give a false positive reading
for free chlorine with the DPD chemistry. Recognized technical studies are available to
support these claims. In addition, the DPD test requires careful technique and several
steps to get the best test.
What
is the shelf life?
We
will ship product from our factory with no less than 24 months shelf life
(18 months for AquaChek Silver and
AquaChek Green). Test strips have at least 24 months dating from the time of
manufacture. Poolcenter.com guarantees the freshest
test strips to it's customers.
Can
more values for each test be added to color charts?
There
would not be enough color differentiation between the values. This would
make it difficult for the user to make a decision when comparing the test
strip to the color patches on the label.
What
is the difference between AquaChek and the other pool and spa test strips available on the
market?
AquaChek is the top-selling brand
of pool and spa test strips in the world. AquaChek test strips undergo stringent release
qualification. Constant monitoring of the manufacturing process ensures that the finest
test strips are available for your use.
Do
I need to test as frequently with test strips?
Yes.
We suggest testing both ends of the pool a minimum of 2 times a week, and
spas before each use.
Can
test strips be used after the expiration date?
No.
Test strips should be discarded when the expiration date on the bottle label
is reached. This ensures the user they are getting reliable results.
Are
test strips less accurate after the expiration date?
If
the test strips are handled and stored properly, they should give reliable
results through the expiration date on the bottle label. It is impossible to
determine how reliable the results will be after the expiration date has
passed.
Test Strips vs. Liquid
Test Kits
What testing method should
you use?
You don’t have to be a chemist to keep your pool
sparkling clean. To keep things simple, use a testing method
that you find fast, easy and convenient. That way you’ll be more likely to
stick to your testing regimen. There are two basic
types of testing method used by most consumers: test strips and liquid
kits.
Liquid kits
Liquid kits require that you put a sample of water
into a plastic comparator and then carefully add drops of chemical reagent, watching for a
change in the color of the sample. Liquid kits with the reagent OTO were once widely used
to measure chlorine, but they have fallen out of favor in recent years. OTO measures only
total chlorine, not free chlorine, which is the form of chlorine most effective in
sanitizing your pool. In addition, we now know that the chemical reagent in the OTO-type
kit can cause cancer.
Kits using the liquid reagent known as DPD do measure free chlorine. However, if you test
for free chlorine using a DPD #1 liquid test kit, be aware that high levels of combined
chlorine, or chloramines, can cause false-positive results when testing free chlorine.
Substances such as monopersulfate (used for shock-treating pools) can also affect the
results of the DPD test by causing a false positive reading. Moreover, the DPD test
requires careful technique and several steps to get the best results.
Test strips
Test strips, the
easiest method for pool and spa water testing, are fast and simple to use
because they eliminate the need to measure samples and count drops.
Typically, you simply dip a strip in the water for one second and then
remove it. You then compare the color on the strip to the color chart on the
label.
Industry and water quality experts report that test strips are
comparable in accuracy to liquid kits. In fact, many believe they actually
deliver greater accuracy than liquid kits because they require less
technique. Many local and state health departments now recognize AquaChek
test strips as an approved testing method. This means that professional pool
and spa service technicians as well as other industry experts trust the
accuracy of AquaChek pool and spa test strips. Today, there are reliable test
strips available to test a wide variety of pool conditions, including cyanuric acid and total dissolved solids as well as free chlorine, pH and
total alkalinity.
No matter what type of test kit you decide to use, be sure to follow the
manufacturer’s recommendations to get the best results. |
