Am I The Only One..?

[miniman]

Does anyone else find it quite hard to tell what the readings from the tests actually are!? Im using Nutrafin Mini Master test kit which is all the testube .. one drops.. add a bats wing.. etc !

Half the time i think it depends what mood i'm in - I so want the amonia to drop and the nitrite to increase that I start seeing the colour I want to see! Shame there is no such thing as a digital test kit

perhaps im just colour blind but my girlfreind seems to find it just as hard...

 

[mlawson]

I know exactly what you mean. I wanted to have softer water for my tetras, so at first
it was 7.2 and then I wanted harder water for my mollies it was 7.8! All from the same tap.
Some test kits can be very decieving.

 

[mark.w.jones]

Im afraid that all I can say that you get better at it with time. You have to be consistant and accurate and do the test exactly as it says. If it says shake for 30 seconds then doing it for 20 seconds is not enough etc. I have found that the Freshwater Master Test Kit by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals is very easy to read but that's probably not what you want to hear. The only other thing I can suggest is holding the test tube and colour match card up against a white background in good light in order to compare the colour.

 

[Birdie]

I have found that the Freshwater Master Test Kit by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals is very easy to read

I'm fine with that kit - apart form the Nitrates. I find those incredibly difficult to read. The 40 and 80 colour strips are utterly identical to my eyes. And the 160 isn't much different. Then again, I do need to wear contacts and glasses. *Simultaneously*

 

[Gatorbait]

You're not the only one!

I remember when I used to do tests, I was never sure what color was closest etc.

 

[fry_lover]

i sooooo agree with this issue

with Nitrate test kits in particular, it would appear most manufacturers simply "give up" trying to colour code it after 40 mg/l and simply leave all the colours on the chart the SAME, how annoying!!!

Come on Lab peeps working for these companies, sort it out and give us some better value for money!!!!

I say, if we can get a man on the moon, we should have a Nitrate Test Kit for under £10 that you can actually get a decent result with if your Nitrates are over 40mg/l

For the Record i find the Tetra one the best Nitrate Kit but thats not saying much really.

Nutrafin for AMMONIA
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals for NITRITE
Tetra for NITRATE

 

[Birdie]

Also beware of the light in the room you are reading the tests in.

One evening I tried to look at them in a room lit with halogen spots - gah! Looked like the tank was having a sudden and inexplicable ammonia and nitrite spike, with a ph that had altered drastically in a matter of a day. Took it back to a light that was closer to daylight - results completely different ( and much more reassuring )

 

[newtotropical]

Also beware of the light in the room you are reading the tests in.

One evening I tried to look at them in a room lit with halogen spots - gah! Looked like the tank was having a sudden and inexplicable ammonia and nitrite spike, with a ph that had altered drastically in a matter of a day. Took it back to a light that was closer to daylight - results completely different ( and much more reassuring )

Maybe we should just walk around under differant lights till we see the results we want!!!!........................

 

[Essjay]

My son finds it very funny when he visits and sees me testing my water with the API kit. But then he is an analyst with a water testing company! He seems to think I should buy the same equipment his company uses!!!
However he does agree that the nitrate test kit should have a bigger colour difference at higher levels.

 

[jrussuk]

I agree!!!! i have a lot of trouble matching the colours up and i work as a printer!!!!!

 

[Callie84]

I agree!
I have just purchased Aqua One test kits because i am having problems with ammonia in my tank. Its very frustrating because the colour in the test tube is a lot brighter than the colours on the chart. Its hard to get an accurate reading because it looks like my ammonia could be anywhere between 0.1ppm (safe) and 2.0ppm(not so safe).

 

[miniman]

Oh good im not the only one

I find that if you hold it against the paper with the light behind you as suggested on the instructions the colour matches even worse - like you say it is much brighter - I find this worst with Nitrate and not great with nitrite too.

I guess it doesnt really matter what the levels are though! All i need to know is when they hit 0 (and hopefully stay at 0!)_