Test Equipment & Accessories

Collection: Test Equipment & Accessories

40 products

Test Equipment & Accessories

Maintain accurate pool and spa water chemistry with water testing equipment and reagents from Pentair, LaMotte, Hayward, American Granby, and Jed Pool Tools. PST Pool Supplies stocks replacement test kit reagents, digital salt meter calibration solutions, pressure gauges, and automated test cartridges for professional and residential water testing — starting from $9.90.

Accurate water testing is the foundation of every effective pool and spa maintenance program — without reliable test results, chemical adjustments are guesswork that lead to cloudy water, equipment damage, and bather irritation. The key products in this collection: Pentair Rainbow test kit reagents cover every standard water chemistry parameter — pH test solution (Phenol Red, #2 reagent, 1/2 oz and 1 oz), chlorine neutralizer (#4 reagent), total alkalinity test solution (#5 reagent), acid demand and total alkalinity solution (#3 reagent), water hardness test solutions (#6 and #7 reagents), and cyanuric acid reagent (32 oz). These reagents are direct replacements for Pentair Rainbow test kit bottles — the same reagent chemistry used by pool professionals. The Pentair #752 Test Kit (2-in-1 pH and chlorine) is a complete entry-level test kit for basic residential use. The LaMotte WaterLink reagent cartridge disks (pack of 100) serve the LaMotte WaterLink photometer system — a professional-grade digital colorimetric tester that measures chlorine, bromine, and salt with lab-accurate results; each disk provides one complete multi-parameter test. The Hayward Digital Salt Meter calibration solution (7,450 ppm) calibrates the Hayward digital salt tester to ensure accurate salt level readings for salt chlorine generator management. Pressure gauges — the American Granby IPG602-4L (0–60 psi, 1/4\" MPT bottom, 2\" face) and Pentair PG3024B back-mount gauge — replace worn or failed filter system pressure gauges that are essential for monitoring filter condition and pump performance.

Reagents degrade over time — replace test kit reagents annually regardless of remaining volume, as aged reagents produce inaccurate readings that can lead to over- or under-dosing chemicals. Store reagents at room temperature away from direct sunlight and freezing temperatures. Pressure gauges should be checked for accuracy annually against a known-good reference; a stuck or drifting gauge prevents accurate filter backwash/cleaning timing.

Shop pool and spa testing equipment at PST Pool Supplies and maintain the water chemistry accuracy that keeps your pool safe, clear, and equipment-protective.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I replace my pool test kit reagents?
Replace pool test kit reagents annually — regardless of how much is remaining in the bottles. Reagent chemicals degrade over time through oxidation, light exposure, and temperature cycling, even when stored properly. An aged Phenol Red solution (pH indicator) shifts color range, causing you to read pH as lower than it actually is — you then add acid unnecessarily, dropping the pH further and damaging equipment. Aged OTO or DPD chlorine reagents underread, making the pool appear under-sanitized when it may be adequately treated. Signs of degraded reagents: (1) pH reagent is pale yellow or colorless rather than bright yellow-orange. (2) Chlorine reagent turns pink at zero concentration (false positive). (3) Test results are inconsistent between tests taken seconds apart. Proper storage extends reagent life: store at room temperature (60–80°F), away from direct sunlight, and never allow to freeze. Keep caps tightly closed — air exposure accelerates oxidation. Date your reagent bottles when purchased so the replacement timing is clear. The cost of fresh reagents ($10–$15 each) is trivial compared to the chemical waste and equipment damage from decisions made on inaccurate test results.
What is the Pentair #752 test kit and what does it test?
The Pentair #752 Test Kit is a 2-in-1 liquid reagent test kit that measures the two most critical pool water parameters: pH (using Phenol Red indicator) and free chlorine (using OTO or DPD indicator — check the included instruction card for the specific reagent). It is a basic residential test kit suitable for routine monitoring of pools and spas on a standard chlorine maintenance program. What it does not test: total alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid, salt, or combined chlorine — parameters that require either additional reagents or a more comprehensive test kit. For complete water balance testing (following the Langelier Saturation Index), a more comprehensive kit that includes alkalinity (#5 reagent), hardness (#6/#7 reagents), and cyanuric acid reagent is needed. The #752 kit is appropriate for daily or every-other-day spot-checking of pH and free chlorine; do a full water balance test monthly or when water clarity or feel changes unexpectedly. Professional testing services (pool stores with photometers) provide the most accurate comprehensive results for quarterly water balance adjustments.
How do I calibrate the Hayward digital salt meter?
The Hayward Digital Salt Meter calibration solution (7,450 ppm) is used to verify and calibrate the Hayward digital salt tester to ensure accurate readings for managing a salt chlorine generator. Calibration procedure: (1) Rinse the meter's sensor probe with distilled water and dry with a clean cloth — contamination on the probe causes inaccurate readings. (2) Pour a small amount of the calibration solution (7,450 ppm) into a clean container. (3) Immerse the meter probe in the calibration solution and take a reading. (4) Compare the reading to 7,450 ppm — most digital meters have an adjustment screw or calibration button; adjust until the reading matches. (5) Rinse the probe again before testing actual pool water. Calibrate the meter at least monthly during the swimming season, or whenever readings seem inconsistent with the salt chlorinator's performance. A well-calibrated salt meter eliminates the guesswork of adding salt — the target range for most Hayward AquaRite generators is 2,700–3,400 ppm, and accurate measurement prevents over-salting (corrosive to equipment) or under-salting (insufficient chlorine production).
When do I need to replace my pool filter pressure gauge?
Replace a pool filter pressure gauge when: (1) The needle is stuck — a gauge that always reads the same pressure regardless of pump state (pump off vs. on) has a stuck bourdon tube. A stuck gauge provides no useful information and masks filter condition changes. (2) The needle doesn't return to zero when the pump is off — a gauge that reads above zero with no pump running is not calibrated to zero, making all readings unreliable. (3) The gauge reads visibly different from the same pool's historical baseline for a given filter/pump state — this indicates gauge drift from aging or damage. (4) The gauge lens is fogged or cracked — moisture inside the gauge and a cracked face are signs of internal damage. A functional pressure gauge is critical for filter maintenance: it's the only reliable indicator of when to backwash a sand filter (8–10 psi above clean baseline) or clean a cartridge filter (8–10 psi above clean baseline). Without an accurate gauge, you're either over-cleaning (wasting water/time) or under-cleaning (poor filtration). The American Granby IPG602-4L (0–60 psi, 1/4" MPT, 2" face, bottom-mount) fits most residential pool filter gauge ports; the Pentair PG3024B (back-mount) fits Pentair filter systems with a rear-facing gauge port.