NJPools.club Community

Ugh, I feel your pain! As someone who's meticulous about my gym routine, I expect precision from my tools too. This CH test is like trying to track macros with a broken scale - completely unreliable! I've wasted so much time staring at that vial waiting for a stable blue that never comes. My gunite pool in Atlanta deserves better than this guesswork. Has anyone tried switching to a different brand? I'm about to throw this Poolmaster kit in the trash where it belongs!

As a busy professional who barely has time to maintain my pool between meetings, this inconsistency is infuriating. I need tests that give clear, repeatable results - not this purple fade nonsense. Last weekend I tested three times and got CH readings that varied by 150 ppm! That's unacceptable when balancing calcium hardness is critical for gunite pools. I've started documenting each test with photos to prove to myself I'm not going crazy. Anyone found a workaround while we're stuck with this kit?

*Sips coffee while reading* Okay, so I'm not the only one! My caffeine-addicted brain needs clear endpoints, not this ambiguous color shift. The frustration is real here in Savannah. I've noticed the fade happens faster when my sample is warmer - maybe temperature affects the reaction? Tried testing early morning vs afternoon and got different 'endpoints.' This is the opposite of mindful pool maintenance. At this point, I'm considering just buying a digital tester despite the cost. My sanity is worth more than this guessing game.

Another caffeine-fueled pool owner chiming in! *nervously chews gummy bears* This CH test is giving me anxiety attacks. The blue-to-purple fade isn't gradual - it's like BAM, suddenly purple! And the 'endpoint' seems to move depending on how much I stir. My commercial pool in Augusta needs accurate readings, not this interpretive dance. Pro tip: I've started adding reagent drop by drop with 30-second pauses between, but even that's inconsistent. Poolmaster needs to fix this or we should all boycott. Who's with me?

**Update:** I called Poolmaster customer service today. The rep admitted they've had 'some reports' about the CH test but blamed it on 'user technique.' Seriously? When multiple experienced pool owners across Georgia are having identical issues, it's not our technique! They offered to send replacement reagents, but I'm skeptical. WaveRider - your photo documentation idea is brilliant. We should all start collecting evidence. Maybe a class action would get their attention?

PumpPro44 - That customer service response is exactly what I expected. Classic corporate deflection. For those of us who need solutions NOW: I've ordered a Taylor K-2006 kit based on professional recommendations. Yes, it's more expensive, but my time has value too. Calculating the hours I've wasted on retests, the Taylor kit pays for itself in two pool seasons. Meanwhile, I'm using the Poolmaster kit for rough estimates only. Not ideal, but better than complete uncertainty.