Colour Charts

[squarefish]

I've just started using the Nutrafin Mini Test kit which covers Ammonia, pH, NO2 and No3 levels. What I find difficult is to gauge the colour charts accurately! The ammonia is fine as it stays clear and the ph chart has multi colours. The problem is on the other two where I need to compare by shades of the same colour. The liquid in the test tube looks nothing like the printed chart as far as I can see 8) - is it a matter of saying whether the liquid is almost clear or thick with dye? I know that in time I will need to see an almost clear liquid (I'm still establishing the aquarium), but for now it's hard to know if its 20, 50 or 100!

 

[GRJ]

Hi there. I have had the same problem as you with regards to colour charts. The way i got around it is when you are checking your sample against the colur chart, hold the test tube away from the chart about 1 inch and the sample will become clearer. Then just match it to the coresponding colour accordingly. It helps if you are near a window too. Once you get the knack of it, it becomes a lot easier to read i can assure you. I know when you first start you ant to get everything just right, but you really will get into the habit of reading the samples and matching them up. I find the API liquid test kits are very good, but sometimes you get a colour that isnt on the colour card, but somewhere inbetween two colours. then you just have to guess. I have both the API test kits and the Nutrafin Master Test kit, and the Nutrafin one is a little more professional in my opinion as you get a more 'in depth' reading. You just have to find one you are comfortable with. Good luck and i hope that has helped. GRJ