The PS230 Swimming Pool Test Kit

The PS230 is the best (I think!) comprehensive swimming pool field test kit on the market today. It’s not perfect, but it’s as good as it gets. And, in this case, that’s pretty good. For most pools, and most pool owners, the PS230 can provide all the testing they’ll need.

Dealer testing OUGHT to be more accurate then the results achievable with the PS230. Unfortunately, it is often worse – frequently, much worse.

Fortunately, most poolowners can easily learn to get sufficiently accurate results with the PS230 to handle almost all their testing needs.

The PS230 is NOT for every day testing of home swimming pools. You simply don’t need that much information about your pool every day. Instead, the PS230 should be used once every week to two weeks . . . and whenever you are having a problem.

Also, the PS230 is a bit complex. But almost everyone can learn to use it . . . IF you'll take it step-by-step.

You should use a simpler, less complex, kit for daily testing, such as the PS200. Keep the PS200 near the pool: keep the PS230 in the house!

• If you find the PS230 overwhelming, or confusing, just back up and take it one step at a time. Each step is actually pretty easy. See below for a step-by-step guide.

   

• Initially, you should test BOTH your pool water AND the water you use to FILL your pool. It’s important to know what will happen to your pool when you add water. (Will the pH go up or down? Will the alkalinity increase or decrease?)
  
  
• The PS230 includes BOTH a DPD drop-count (titration) chlorine test AND a DPD color match test. The drop-count test allows accurate measurements of chlorine levels up to 50 ppm. The DPD color match test is somewhat faster and easier, and is more accurate than OTO chlorine measurement but is less accurate, and can only be used up to 5 ppm.
  
  
• The PS230 should be stored inside. Ideally, collect your water sample in a plastic container, carry it to the kitchen, and do your testing at the kitchen sink.
  
  
• Most of the reagents in the kit are pretty stable and will last several years if stored properly. However, the drop-count chlorine test reagents will need to be replaced annually. Also, the kit comes with only nine tests for stabilizer (this is an upgrade from the OEM's six!). This is enough for a season, but only if you don't overtest.
  

PS230 Step-by-Step Instructions

Basic instructions for the kit appear on the INSIDE and OUTSIDE of the kit lid.

Step-by-step illustrated instructions are available here, both to those who purchase the kits from me, and to PoolSolutions' subscribers. If you purchase a DPD-FAS kit elsewhere, please understand that I expect you to seek product support from the seller, and not from me. That's fair, isn't it?