I am currently using Aquachek test strips on my Sundance spa to check calcium hardness, alkalinity, ph, and bromine. I don't like the strips. The colors sometimes never match up to the chart on the bottle so I don't have good accuracy of what the levels are and it seems like I am guessing when I add chemicals.
I've heard about a Taylor test kit that is supposed to be more accurate but doesn't that also come down to more work and in the end, still trying to match colors to a chart?
My spa dealer has a fancy tester that is hooked up to a computer. The pour a bit of water into black circular tester and enter the gallon capacity of my tub into their computer. Then a minute later their computer prints out a report detailing the exact levels of each (calcium hardness, alkalinity, ph, and bromine) and tells me exactly how many ounces of whatever chemicals are needed to get everything as it should be.
What kinds of testers are the spa dealers using? I would love to switch to a testing system that checks an actual water sample and then tells me the exact levels of everything. I guess I don't need something as fancy as the dealer's computer hook-up but it would be nice to remove the guesswork and get a digital reading.
I appreciate your responses.
Chum