New Api Test Card

[bigcheed]

hi all not sure if this has been banded out before but whats the score with the new test card. the colours are washy and its hard to get any gauge on some of the tests (nitrate). is ok to use the old test cards or have api changed the regents. ive tried looking online but cant get a real answer.

 

[Sophie]

New test card...? Could you post a picture?
How do you mean getting any gauge on nitrate?
Tbh the nitrate probably isn't one to worry about at all, as long as it's orange and not a deep red then it's perfectly fine.

 

[bigcheed]

I bought a new Api master test kit. Inside is an all in one color card instead of the usual 5. Ie one for each test. The colors on the new card ain't as clear as the old ones. Especially the nitrate and ph. I'll try and post a pic later. I mean you just can't tell the difference between 10_20ppm on the nitrate test there both the same orange. And any higher are all the same red.

 

[Sophie]

Ahh yes this is normal for the all in one master test kit. When brought separately you get separate cards but in the big box it's one big card

 

[fm1978]

Hmm, I have the same one but I find the colours quite straightforward and quite easy to differentiate.
 
It's the bloody tests themselves I can't get to work...

 

[Sophie]

Hmm, I have the same one but I find the colours quite straightforward and quite easy to differentiate.
 
It's the bloody tests themselves I can't get to work...

 
Just have to make sure you shake shake shake... shake shake shake! Shake your bottle.. 
 
Vigorously!

 

[bigcheed]

ok so here are a couple of picks. the big card is from the new test kit. the smaller cards are from my old master test kit. not individual test kits. the tests themselves are giving me the same colours as I would expect with the old tests. but on the new card the readings are different cos the colours are washy. I shake the hell out of the nitrate test so it should work fine but when 10-20ppm are the same bloody colour which one is it. I know nither reading is bad in the grand scheme of things but I want to know. mine is usually 10ppm. but if its gone up to 20ppm how am I meant to know. its the same with the 40-80ppm. they are the same colour too. its a big leap from amber to red without any accuracy inbetween. how are you meant to resolve any issue without an accurate reading.

 

[Sophie]

I wouldn't worry - nitrate isn't a problem until it's in serious high concentration. There's only so many shades of red you can get!

 

[fluttermoth]

Agreed.
 
If it goes deep/dark red, you need to up your water changes a bit, the exact level in PPM isn't vital.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Honestly, I've always used the big card, no issues with it.   Nitrate is not a big deal.  Ammonia and nitrite are far more of a concern.