Swimming pool Photometers 101

Here is how a photometer works:

"Most photometers detect the light with photoresistors, photodiodes or photomultipliers. To analyze the light, the photometer may measure the light after it has passed through a filter or a monochromator for determination at defined wavelengths or for analysis of the spectral distribution of the light." -Wikipedia.

The water sample is blanked or zeroed out so that the photometer tester gets an accurate reading of the state of the water sample before the reagent is introduced. Once the reagent is put in the water sample, the photometer tester will read the color change of the water sample. For example, in the pH testing, the lighter the color, the lower the pH, just like in a reagent test kit or the tabs on a test strip. The darker the color, the higher the pH. The thing about the digital photometer is that it will read the color exactly and give you a digital readout of the pH based on the color spectrum. This eliminates user error and the need to guess what color the reagent is.

Spin Touch:

The SKU for the Mobile unit is Lamotte #3581 MOBILE WaterLink SPIN TOUCH Lab, and the price is around $1,000. The Spin Touch test kit is great for so many applications. If you service Commercial Accounts, this is a great way to keep your logs for the Health Department and Pool Manager. For Resorts, Hotels, and Clubs, this would be a perfect way to get spot-on readings to ensure that the public pool is safe. And if you are a Health Inspector, there is no better water tester than this. Plus it comes with a 2-year warranty.

The 202 Disks seen in this video are sold in a 50-pack for around $120. The 202 Disk does 10 test factors in 60 seconds:

Free Chlorine (DPD)     0-15 ppm

Total Chlorine (DPD)    0-15 ppm

Bromine (DPD)              0-33 ppm

pH                                    6.3-8.6

Calcium Hardness         0-800 ppm

Total Alkalinity               0-250 ppm

Cyanuric Acid                5-150 ppm

Copper                            0-3.0 ppm

Iron                                 0-3.0 ppm

Salt                                0-5000 ppm

Phosphate                      0-200 ppb

They also have a disk that tests just 3 test parameters, which can be reused thrice. This disk does Total Chlorine or Bromine, Free Chlorine, and pH Disk #4334-H. This would be an excellent disk for spot-checking a pool between the 10 test factors, which you could do monthly. It is a very versatile tester that can be used in many applications. 

You can also download the WaterLink Connect app from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. This free app will allow you to connect the Spin Touch to your smartphone or device. You can transfer the Test Logs from the app and control the Spin Touch unit from your smartphone or device. You can take it further and subscribe to the WaterLink DATAMATE Web to store and send customer data logs. After you log the test results, the Data Mate software will give detailed recommendations on balancing the water.  

ColorQ 2X

The ColorQ 2x Pro 9 is much like the ColorQ 2x Pro 7, with some notable exceptions. It uses the same photometer unit, but the one with the Pro 9 can also test for Copper, Iron, and Biguanide (Reagents sold separately). The handheld meter is easy to use and features economical liquid reagents measuring 144 tests per 30 mL bottle for Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine, Bromine, and pH. The Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, Cyanuric Acid, Copper, and Iron test is measured using one TesTabs tablet per test with 100 tablets included with the kit.

The kit features economical liquid reagents, easy-to-use TesTabs® tablets, and a Pool Manager Handbook. The ColorQ 2x eliminates the need to visually determine slight color variations or use look-up tables, thus removing the guesswork from poolside water analysis. The ColorQ 2x PRO 9 and reagents are packaged in a rugged carrying case for on-site testing.

The Lamotte ColorQ 2x Pro 7 Test Kit has some great new features, making this a premiere digital water tester for your pool or spa. If you are looking for an accurate way to test your pool water and don't like guessing by trying to read the reagent colors, this kit would be perfect for you. It will give you a spot-on digital readout of seven test factors within minutes."

Features:

On-Site Multi-Test Photometer Kit

It takes the guesswork out of poolside water analysis

Dual optic design with wider path length than previous models

Eliminates the need to determine slight color variations visually

Waterproof housing

5 Minute auto-off function protects the batter'sie life

Transfer results via Bluetooth

Digital display

Accurate results

Easy to use

It can be used on both pools and spas

Test Capabilities:

Pro 9 2x:

Free Chlorine | 0-10 ppm

Total Chlorine | 0-10 ppm

Bromine | 0-22 ppm

pH | 6.5-8.5

Alkalinity | 0-250 ppm

Calcium Hardness | 0-600 ppm

Cyanuric Acid | 0-150

Iron | 0-3.0 ppm

Copper | 0-4.0 ppm

Biguanide (sold Separately) | 0-70 ppm

Biguanide Shock (Sold separately) | 0-160 ppm

Kit Includes:

ColorQ 2x Photometer

Photo-diagrammatic instructions (English, Spanish, and French)

Reagents & Tablet packets

Convenient carrying case

Pool Management Handbook

LSI Quick calculator slide tool

Note:

Each reagent contains enough solution for 144 tests

Contains 100 TesTabs tablets for each test

Lamotte part #2088

Pool eXact EZ

The NSF/ANSI 50 L1 Certified Pool eXact® EZ photometer delivers ten pool water parameters with lab-quality results! Most tests with the Pool eXact® EZ photometer use our patented eXact® Strips, a quick and easy reagent system for analysis. Dip an eXact® Strip Micro into the water sample for 20 seconds using a simple back-and-forth motion, discard the strip, and read the results instantaneously!

Detects:

 

Total Alkalinity 10 - 200ppmCopper 0.00 - 9.0ppmCalcium Hardness 20 - 700ppmCyanuric Acid 1 - 110ppmChloride (as salt) 80 - 6700ppmpH 6.4 - 8.4Free Chlorine 0.00 - 12ppmPhosphate 0.2 - 3.0ppmTotal Chlorine 0.00 - 12.0ppmCombined Chlorine 0.00 - 12.0ppm

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