Original > Hot Tub Forum
TDS test strips.... good enough ?
bachman:
I don't have any and just now thought to look them up to see if they are readily available. Seen others mention they have water tested for various things at a spa store. I'm thus far, all DIY on the water testing and monitioring but wouldn't hesitate a moment if I had some challenges or issue to solve or track down - I'd be taking in some test samples.
We are a few days away from our 90-day mark on filling the tub. I'd consider our use light and bather load light as well so I'm interested in seeing how healthy the water is as per TDS.
Seen a few mentions of those that use TDS as a guide for when to change in cases of extending beyond 90 days if TDS numbers are within range. I'm sure that's handy for those buying and hauling in water when it's an added expense or even extending to avoid a mid-winter change over.
Any advice or experiences related is helpful if you care to share, Still a lot of firsts for us with hot tub management. ;D
bud16415:
All I have used is test strips and I find the Clorox brand to be the cheapest and cover the widest range of tests.
For me right now is the worst time in the north to have to change water or even be thinking about it. I try and do a water change and give the tub a good cleaning sometime before thanksgiving so I’m pretty sure I wont need one mid winter. What I have done mid winter in a pinch is do a half drain and fill if I wanted to lower the TDS or such.
Even doing filter cleaning I try and time it around a break in the weather as I like to do them outside with my hot water hose.
I do try and stay on top of it closer in the winter just because its more hassle if I did need to do a fill.
We use city water so I don’t know about trucked in water and the problems around doing that in the winter.
When I do a partial fill in the winter using the water from my homes water heater first plus with what is in the tub I can get in within a hour or so of doing it.
Tman122:
TDS test strips are a good quick reference. But a re-agent style TDS test is more accurate.
bachman:
Thank you for the responses.
I've read of others doing a partial fresh fill also, makes sense when you can get away with it.
I'll go with the test strips to see about where we land. I'm on round two of topping off water level so there 's that too. Within this 90 day cycle I've added about 4 to 5 pails of warm water from the house to top off some evap loss and just the other day, about 15 to 18 gallons more. No doubt I'm diluting things some but I think our city water is good so maybe it helps just a bit more on the change out cycle. I need to pay attention to the obvious water loss/add to expect some wandering chemistry I suppose.
At work, I have a meter and could 'borrow' it as a general rule of thumb for TDS.
Yet most of I read on meters is they are always needing to be set, calibrated or checked for accuracy. The tap water for work shows 68.50 ppm TDS so I guess I'll just verify that with what my house reads then test the tub and see if it makes sense. If not in a ball aprk range of test strips, then I'll know how much or little to trust it.
Meter I can use;
https://goo.gl/images/W4GZUc
bachman:
** Update --
I did just happen to do some searching and found a Hach brand test strip that tests 3 things, two of those being T D S and Cyanuric acid. I'll purchase and see how that works.
It felt like a lucky hit, Really the only two things I was missing. :)
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