50-Count HTH 6-Way Swimming Pool & Spa Chemical Test Strips $2.20 + Free Store Pick-Up (expired)

Are these the size of giant sugar cubes or are they like the urine cake size?

Wow great Deal on the chlorine if you can find them in your area. Eligible for Shoprunner but none available for shipping.

Quote from JAXXBOSS : Are these the size of giant sugar cubes or are they like the urine cake size?

1" so prob sugar cube but still a great deal.

can't find chlorine in phoenix area

How long can the strips be stored? Tempted to buy 3 or 4. Presume clearance because it is near end of shelf life?

Thanks OP! In for 5 of the test strips

EDIT: I didn't think about the shelf life for these things. I don't see an expiration date listed on the TRU website, but I do see it listed for some other sellers on Ebay. May have to return a couple bottles if the expiration date is too close.

Quote from armedmetallica : How long can the strips be stored? Tempted to buy 3 or 4. Presume clearance because it is near end of shelf life?

I bought 4. If you don't tell the strips they might expire, I won't, either.

Shoprunner free shipping - thanks !

TRU is also selling them on ebay for $2.20 and $1.70, to the delight of resellers.

do you need a test kit to use these strips?

Bought some test strips. Added the chlorine tablets and when I checked out said they were removed. Checked back on the website and it showed 0 inventory. Guess someone beat me to the punch on them. TU for the post OP.

Pretty sure these are not avail in most stores so ....there goes the slick part

Thanks Op in for 3....Wish they had the chlorine to ship...

It's important that the test strip have both total chlorine and free chlorine, but at least the free chlorine is on the strip. This way you can tell if your chlorine levels are properly balanced, if not a high dose (shock/oxidizer) of chlorine is needed in order to get both levels balanced.

These test strips have a shelf life of about 12-18 months before they start becoming increasingly inaccurate. As with any other strip, dip for 2 seconds, remove from water, wait 10 seconds and you have a solid 10 seconds of good reading. After that the pads will become increasingly darker, thus improper reading. Make sure you do not store in humid / hot areas such as your laundry room or the toolshed outside. No test kit needed - just dip, read, write down your numbers so you can balance your pool or spa!

Some more helpful tips:

• Total chlorine of 1.0-3.0 ppm is ideal, up to 5.0 is fine during the summer. If higher, just remove your chlorine source (chlorinator, tabs etc.) for a short while to accommodate needs.
  
• Neutral pH is always ideal. 7.2 - 7.6 on the scale is great. If it's higher, add acid. If lower, add sodium carbonate (soda ash)
  
• Alkalinity keeps your pH from fluctuating, 80-120ppm is ideal. This number must be balanced according to your pH. You cannot have a 7.2ph and 200 alkalinity as high alk. will cause the water to become increasingly cloudy even if everything else is properly balanced.
  
• Total hardness (calcium) is a necessary mineral to have in the water. If too low this will cause aggressive water that will eat up plaster in attempt to pull the calcium from it. Wont affect vinyl pools. 200-400ppm is ideal.
  
• Cyanuric acid is your chlorine shield. Without CyA your chlorine will dissipate in a matter of hours due to UV rays. This chemical will save you a great deal of money on chlorine! 30-100ppm is ideal.

Hops this helps!