Review: My Sutro Smart Pool Monitor
a review of the new My Sutro pool monitor
My Sutro Pool Water Monitor
We have had our stock tank pool for three summers now. And for the first two years, I used a pHin water monitor to keep the pool balanced and in good shape. However, pHin was aquired by another company which discontinued the service, so I had to recycle my pHin and look for an alternative. Of course, I could have turned to manual pool testing kits. But I love the convenience of an automatic monitor and an app that tells me what to do. Enter: My Sutro. My Sutro is a pool water monitor that uses a different technology, but it is a great alternative to the pHin — and has some advantages, too.
Disclosure: My Sutro sent me their product, but all ideas and opinions are my own.
This post contains affiliate links. AKN
My Sutro claims to be: “The world's leading water testing device. The easiest way to actually measure your pool chemistry and keep your pool and spa crystal clear.” And that is an interesting difference. Each Sutro monitor utilizes a cartridge to conduct testing. This cartridge of reagents is housed in the monitor and must be changed out about once per month. My Sutro is actually testing the water using the reagents inside the cartridge.
And I have seen the difference!
How does My Sutro work?
In the past, I used far more chlorine and other chemicals. With My Sutro, my stock tank pool is cleaner, clearer, and more comfortable with far less intervention. According to My Sutro, this is because their device is taking actual measurements rather than using a method of extrapolation called ORP (the tech used by pHin and other monitors). This testing means, however, that the device is somewhat larger and requires monthly maintenance. That’s not terrible, and frankly, the improved functionality makes such things feel trivial.
Each day I open the app and check the report on our water quality. The app also tells me what, when, and how much to add to adjust the water. It also tells me the water temperature and provides weekly and monthly reports so I can see trends as they develop. The app is easy to set up, it stores the exact products that I use, and you can adjust the notifications and their frequency. It makes maintaining my pool very simple and straightforward, frankly. And I don’t have to worry about it.
My Sutro at work in our stock tank pool
My Sutro works with chlorine, salt water, mineral sanitizers, and bromide pools. I may switch from chlorine next summer, and that’s not a problem with My Sutro either.
But here’s the best part: you only have to pay for the months that you’ll be using My Sutro. Once you purchase the device, there is a monthly fee. But if you live in a place where you can’t swim year-round like I do, you only pay when your pool is open. That means I won’t be paying for the 7-8 months of the year when we have our pool shut down. That saves a lot of money over time!
Having used My Sutro for several months now, I am truly pleased with how it works and with the resulting clean water and sparkling pool. It’s an investment for a stock tank pool, but I think it is a worthy one. And I look forward to years of clean water to come!
Want to know more?
Click the link to learn more!
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Looking for a pool monitor to keep your pool clean? I've been using the My Sutro pool chemistry monitor for a few months, and here is my review. A pool monitoring system will help you figure out why your pool is cloudy and fix it quicly. It's one of the best pool monitoring systems, and I'll tell you why and what it costs, too. Also: how to keep a pool clean, how to keep a stock tank pool clean
Update: Our Stock Tank Pool One Year Later
How do we feel about our stock tank pool after a year? Pretty awesome!
As the COVID-19 pandemic began, my husband and I looked ahead at a long, sad, dry summer and decided there was just one thing to do: build a stock tank pool. I’d been angling for one for several years, but he wasn’t convinced it would be enough to satisfy our swimming needs. So here we are more than a year and almost two summers later, and I’m happy to report: a stock tank pool is perfect for us here in Colorado!
Now, having lived in California and Texas and other states with long, hot summers, an in-ground pool is perfect for lots of people. But in the four years that we have lived here in Colorado, we have had snow as late as the last week of May and as early as Labor Day weekend. So… having a big, expensive pool simply doesn’t make much sense for us here.
Our stock tank pool was a very reasonably-priced option — before the price-gouging and supply problems began. I’ve been watching prices, and I see that supplies seem to be easier to find now and prices have come down considerably. Phew! I also have noticed that several people have begun installation businesses in various parts of the country, so if a DIY pool isn’t in your skill set, there are others who can help you. But the DIY option isn’t hard, so don’t be scared of attempting it yourself, either.
So, what did we do differently for year two with our stock tank pool?
Change to a Reusable Filter with Filter Socks
So, first let me say: this pump has exceeded all of my expectations. It has now worked beautifully for two summers, running 24/7 for months on end with no issues. I am really impressed! Last summer I used the disposible, paper-based filters which work very well. But even with washing them out and reusing them over and over again, I was concerned about the waste involved and the fact that they really aren’t recyclable. So when I saw an ad for Orca Filters — “the last filter you’ll ever buy,” I read the reviews and then bought one.
Does it work as well as a paper filter? No. Not without a filter sock. We have had days of cloudy water which we never had with a paper filter. The filter sock helps with this, but it’s not perfect either. However, the filter socks are essentially small stretches of pantyhose material, so they can be washed over and over again rather than being thrown away. I just hose off the Orca Filter every few days, put on a clean filter sock, and all is well. I collect the filter socks together and then throw them into the washing machine
So I would give the Orca a mixed review: it is better than throwing away filters, but it just doesn’t keep the pool as clean and clear.
Expand the Pad Around the Pool
We have an old, cracked concrete pad where a hot tub once stood. The hot tub is long gone, but the pad — located just off of the patio — was a natural spot for the stock tank pool. Last year we placed it on the pad and just enjoyed it. But this year, I wanted to plant around the pool, so once it was scrubbed out and in place, we framed out a bed of gravel around the pool. This serves two purposes: it gave me a place to place the green planters I made, and it also keeps the weeds at bay. With all the splashing that happens in the pool, weeds and grass grow partiucularly well around the pool!
A larger perimeter of gravel, gave me a little more control about what was growing. Less bindweed. More tropical plants. Someday I’ll cover that gravel with a few inches of pea gravel so it is more attractive, but this gravel was free — we have tons of it in the front of our house, so we are working to repurpose it around the house.
Add Barrel Planters
I wanted large planters filled with plants to surround the pool, but large planters are expensive. So I bought some 55 gallon barrels (food grade) on the Facebook Marketplace. They were $16 each, and we made two planters from each barrel. I painted them each a deep green, and filled them with tropical plants!
Tropical Plants: Lots of Them
We live in Colorado. It’s not the tropics — by any stretch! But the pool creates a little microclimate that’s just a bit more humid, and I wanted color and blooms around the pool. So I ordered canna lilies, caladiums, hibiscus, and gladiolus to plant in the new planters around the pool. I wanted to create a little tropical paradise — even if we can’t go to Hawaii. The canna lilies have some nice height to them, too, creating a screen around the pool which, when you are soaking in the pool, provides some privacy.
Build a Cabana for Changing
It might sound crazy, but we are building a cabana next to the pool as a changing room. This will actually fulfill a few functions. First, it will give us a place to change and to rinse off before and after swimming. There will be a small heated shower, too, as well as hooks and a bench for changing. It also gives us a bit more privacy in the pool — blocking off sightlines for our closest neighbors. It will also help to screen the air conditioner and other utilitarian parts of the backyard that no one wants to see when swimming.
The Best Pool Toys for a Stock Tank Pool
We have all the best toys! Here’s what we love to play with in our stock tank pool!
Stock tank pools are smaller than a standard pool. On our first day of stock tanking, we watched Bambino playing with his favorite pool float and realized it was just too big to be safe! So I’ve rounded up a few of our favorite toys for our smaller pool — think smaller kids toys and creative play.
This post is part of a whole series on building your own stock tank pool. Find it all here:
Smaller Inflatables
There are so many fun inflatables out there, now! And you just have to hunt a bit for the smaller sizes which are both fun and safe in a stock tank pool.
I love the rainbow drink holder. Don’t just think of it as a drink holder! It makes a great place for other toys to float and to play. Ours is often inhabited by dinosaurs! And the inflatable llama is filled with glitter which is super-fun!
Games
At just about 2 feet deep, a stock tank pool is still plenty big for games and play. These diving gems are great — especially for little ones learning to go under water. Bambino received a basketball hoop for his birthday, and epic games have ensued. And who doesn’t like a good squirter fight!
Bath Toys in the Pool
We moved a bunch of our bath toys outside to the pool. They are a great size, and they open up a lot of imaginative play possibilities. The pool is like a giant bath tub! Even older kids rediscover the fun of their smaller toys in a new and different context. The Munchkin Ocean Squirts are a favorite in our house!
Whether you are buying toys for your own pool or as a gift for someone else, remember that in a stock tank pool, smaller is safer. But there’s a ton of fun play to be done!
Maybe don’t put ALL of the toys in the pool at the same time!
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Review: pHin Water Monitor
Is the pHin Water Monitor right for your pool? Here’s what we think!
When we lived in Los Angeles, we had an in-ground pool. It was an older pool, very deep, and super fun! We also had a pool service who came and did all of the maintenance, balancing, and cleaning. They came once per week and took care of everything.
However, with our stock tank pool, we decided that maintenance would be our own responsibility. And to help in that, we purchased a pHin Water Monitor. The pHin is marketed as a simple way to keep spas and pools balanced and clean. And it is.
Update: pHin is no longer available
We have replaced ours with the Sutro water monitor. Check out my updated review below:
My Sutro
I replaced my pHin with My Sutro. Here’s my review:
Once you download the pHin app to your phone, the app guides you through setting up your pHin. It comes with a set of test strips to test for water hardness and a few other water quality issues. These are the only tests you need to do. The pHin does the rest while floating in the water. The pHin floats in the pool, taking measurements and monitoring the water 24/7. After a recent rain storm, for example, it notified me to add some fast-acting chlorine as the rainwater had diluted the pool a bit. I take great pleasure in seeing “Perfectly Balanced” on the app — like getting an A+ in Pool Maintenance, I guess.
I get an A+ in pool maintenance!
I particularly appreciate pHin’s notification feature. Every few days I get a notification with complete instructions for how to adjust the chemicals in the pool. I don’t have to remember to use test strips each day to check in on the water. We certainly do daily maintenance, but testing isn’t part of that equation.
Another great feature of the pHin: the shopping list. I scanned the UPC code for each of the products we use to keep our pool clean and balanced. pHin keeps track of them and when it is time to reorder, I can send my order to a local store which will have it ready for pick up. Very handy now that browsing at any store is a terrible idea. pHin also offers a subscription service for pool chemicals. For our tiny pool, it doesn’t pencil, but if you have a full-sized pool, getting all of your supplies by mail may make a lot of sense. I wish they had a lower-priced spa option.
These graphs help track the water temperature and sanitizer levels amongst other pool measurements to track trends over time.
This is part of a series about building our own stock tank pool. Click the link:
Finally, I love the graphs that pHin produces charting statistics like temperature changes over time. Our stock tank pool fluctuates a lot over 24 hour periods because our nights are so much cooler than our days. Seeing this we may decide to insulate our pool at some point to help keep a more consistent temperature. But that’s a future project!
All in all, I am delighted that we purchased the pHin! It has made learning to care for our stock tank pool easier, and I feel much more confident that we are keeping it safe for our family.
Note: pHin did not sponsor this post.
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Keeping Your Stock Tank Pool Clean
Keeping a stock tank pool clean doesn’t have to be hard. Here’s what we do!
How do you keep a stock tank pool clean?
A stock tank pool is a little bit of work, but in the end it is absolutely worth it! We just do a few things regularly to keep it all sparkly and clean.
Daily:
Check chemical levels on the My Sutro app. Make suggested adjustments.
Skim the water surface
Cover when not in use
Twice per week:
Scrub the pool sides with a pool brush
Clean pool filter with hose
Once per week:
Add chlorine tablets
Soak pool filter overnight in Filter Clean
This post is part of a series about building and maintaining our stock tank pool. Read more here:
Our stock tank pool sits just off the patio — a perfect spot for a dip any time of the day.
What Chemicals & Equipment Do I Need?
We have opted for chlorine for our pool, but you can use salt water or bromide — all will work. If you are going to keep your pool full for more than a day or two, however, you will want to treat the water. I consulted our local spa store, and they put together a great kit of pool chemicals to get us started.
A stock tank pool is somewhere between a spa and a kiddie pool. It is a strange size — containing more water than an average spa. Ours has about 550 gallons of water. So getting the water just right takes some time. You will need to calculate the number of gallons in your tank, and you’ll need to learn about the basics of your water chemistry. This varies depending on where you get your water.
Every city is slightly different, and if you are on a well your water will vary even more. My local spa store was really helpful here, too. The woman I spoke with knew just what to expect from our city water, and she was quite helpful! I encourage you to consult a local expert to help you get the water chemistry right from the start — and to keep it safe and clean.
Here’s what’s in our water care kit:
Rendezvous Spa Specialties: pH Down
Rendezvous Spa Specialties: pH Up
Rendezvous Spa Specialties: Alkalinity Up
Leisure Time Filter Clean for Spas and Hot Tubs
Regal Pool Care System 1” Chlorinated Tablets
SpaPure Hardness Increaser
SpaPure Chlorinating Granules
Our flamingo friend helps keep the pool water clean!
We also got a float for the chlorine tablets. They come in fun and fancy versions, or cheaper plain versions. Either way gets the job done! And all of those chemicals are measured by the tablespoon and teaspoon for our pool, so I have a set of measuring spoons just for the pool chemicals. DO NOT use a measuring spoon for food once it has been used for pool chemicals. I have a dedicated set which I keep with the pool equipment.
We purchased a few other items to help keep the pool sparkling clean and comfortable.
Pool brush: to keep the pool clean, it should be scrubbed once or twice per week. A good pool brush will do the trick. No need to get a long handle. Just do the brushing while you are in the pool.
Pool Skimmer: skim your pool each day to keep larger debris out of the filter and out of the water. Again, we didn’t even get a handle — just use the skimmer and skim the water before you get in.
Hot Tub Blanket: so this is basically a big sheet of heavy-duty bubble wrap, but it serves three purposes. First, once it is cut to fit, it will help to keep out debris making keeping your pool clean even easier. But it also helps keep the water warmer — important here in Colorado where we have cool spells and colder nights — and it keeps the water from evaporating as quickly which helps the water chemistry stay consistent.
This video is very helpful!
HOW TO MONITOR THE WATER IN A STOCK TANK POOL
When we had a swimming pool in Los Angeles, we also had a pool service. They came each week to check the water quality, added the necessary chemicals, and came out if we had a water quality issue. With our stock tank pool, however, that seems unnecessary. You might decide that’s the way to go for you, and if so: great! I know your local pool guy will be glad for the business.
We opted instead to try a high-tech solution to monitoring: pHin. This floating monitor stays in the pool and checks the water quality constantly. I get a notification on my phone if there is an issue as well as instructions for how to fix the issue. It’s great! If you are intimidated by the pool regulation process in any way, I highly recommend pHin. It makes everything super easy! Read my full product review of the pHin here.
Update: pHin is no longer available.
I replaced our pHin with My Sutro. Read more about it here!
My Sutro Water Monitor
I replaced pHin with MySutro. Read all about it below.
If you don’t want a pHin or a service, you will need some pool and spa test strips and will need to monitor your water regularly per the instructions on the test strips. Either way, you need to check the water regularly for your family’s safety.
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How Much Does a Stock Tank Pool Cost
How much does it cost to install a stock tank pool? I walk you through our total money spent.
Our pool at sunset… the perfect place to end the day!
So the big question: how much does it cost to build a stock tank pool?
My answer: it depends on several things.
How permanent do you want your pool to be? If you are just plunking the pool in a fairly level part of your yard and treating it like a seasonal feature of the yard, then it will not be very expensive. If you are going to build decking or add a heating element or anything which makes the pool more permanent, there will be more costs associated with it.
How flat is the area where you will put your pool? The more work you need to do to level the ground, the more cost there will be.
Do you already have a fence in your yard? Do you need to do anything else to make your pool area safe and secure for children and pets?
How much work are you willing to do to monitor your pool’s water? If you aren’t ready to do the work yourself, you may need a weekly pool service. As an intermediate step, you could also get a pHin Water Monitor.
We may make the pool a more permanent feature later by building a deck, but for now it is a temporary, seasonal element. Previous owners of our house had installed a hot tub at some point, so we had a flat, level concrete pad perfect for our stock tank pool — so no costs there. We already have a fence, too.
So here are our total costs:
Stock tank: $325 + $25 delivery fee
Pump: $80 — we will eventually replace it with a longer-lasting pump, but this was the one we could get at the time.
Pool Chemicals: $90 total — our local spa store put together a kit of everything we needed to get started.
Brush, skimmer, and chlorine float: $50
So, all in our investment is $570.
We have since purchased a few other items including the pHin Water Monitor, but these are all very much optional.
This post is part of a series about building our own stock tank pool. Check out the whole series here:
a review of the new My Sutro pool monitor