Reading Test Results

[cerberus0250]

Hello,

Sorry to keep bothering you fine people with my minor problems but I want to make sure im doing everything correct and I don't know anywhere else i can trust the information.

When I am testing for various water parameters, should I place the test tube directly onto white bit of the card or hover it above the white section on the card. I noticed that when I place the test tube directly in contact with the test card, it makes the test tube look darker and when I hover the test tube over the card it then becomes lighter.

My guess is that it needs to hover over the card to stop shadows or something making the liquid in the test tube seem darker than what it is.

Is this correct? Does this even matter?


I am using API Freshwater Master test kit.


Thanks for reading

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

I hover it just above

 

[AlphaNoob]

They are a bit tricky. i tend the hold it off the card and squint a bit, then make a complete guess.

 

[OldMan47]

Lay the tube against the white part of the card with a strong light coming over your shoulder. The white background will help make the readings consistent. You then compare the center part of the tube to the nearby color samples. I prefer daylight coming through a window for my comparisons but do OK with a nice strong light.