? re: API Master Test Kit use

[Herefishie]

I have a question on how to read the results. When I take the test tube and hold it up near a window so I can get the best lighting, if I place the test tube against the chart it is a different color than if I hold it out, for instance, a half an inch. Are you supposed to place it against the chart or hold it a little ways away? Totally different results based on where you place the tube. Thank you in advance.

[Guppysnail]

I have the easiest time reading these if I Stand the test tube upright on the white next to the color chart. 
I have some digital kits I checked this method against and holding it lengthwise both against and away from the card. For me the upright looking down through the top of the tube was most accurate. 

[Maximus]

I find similar difficulty interpreting test strips and the liquid test kits apart from the GH/KH kits which are instead based on number of added drops when the color change occurs instead of color alone.

Ultimately, I found having multiple sources for the readings was helpful to compare and get an idea of, well this blue is this pH and this pink is this nitrate level, and when it changes either direction you will notice and have a general idea of how the parameters have changed.

I also test my tap water periodically so I know what that looks like compared to the tanks.

[Galabar]

If you are doing something like the ammonia test, I've found that using two test tubes, one filled with tank water, and one filled with tap/distilled water works really well.

Run the test with both.  Any ammonia present will be much more obvious.  This also works well with the nitrite and nitrate tests.

 

[Herefishie]

On 8/29/2023 at 3:46 PM, Galabar said:

If you are doing something like the ammonia test, I've found that using two test tubes, one filled with tank water, and one filled with tap/distilled water works really well.

Run the test with both.  Any ammonia present will be much more obvious.  This also works well with the nitrite and nitrate tests.

 

I never thought of doing that. That does make sense. Thank you!

[andieb]

On 8/29/2023 at 6:46 PM, Galabar said:

If you are doing something like the ammonia test, I've found that using two test tubes, one filled with tank water, and one filled with tap/distilled water works really well.

Run the test with both.  Any ammonia present will be much more obvious.  This also works well with the nitrite and nitrate tests.

 

This is such a smart idea, I’m definitely going to try this next time. 
 

Here’s my own tip: The API test kit label is printed on a piece of card paper which is blank white on the back. I put this card behind the tubes while holding the tubes up to the colour chart to block the colours from the chart and the rest of the room from tinting the water in the tubes. Here’s a picture of what I mean

Edited August 30 by andieb

[Galabar]

Nice. 🙂