API MASTER FRESHWTER KIT - Readings

Cja313

Ive been using the kit for bout two months now and its really hard to decifer certan readings. For example Nitrite levels greter than 2 and less than 5 ppm all look the same color to me. I test in a well lit area and against a white background but to me the test tube liquid colors dont seem to match up exactly to the colors on the chart. Ammonia readings are pretty simple to differentiate....

Anyone else have the same problems?

Byron

I find the pH colours very confusing. I've not had problems with the nitrate test, but then my tanks are all down around 5ppm which is the first colour on the card, so that's all I look at.

If at all possible, always read these tests in daylight, not direct sunlight but bright daylight. Never under room lights, as all artificial light is coloured depending upon the spectrum, and this distorts other colours.

Byron.

Cja313

I was confused with Nitrites...sorry not nitrates. And yea the pH can be a bit tricky as well. unfortuantely during the week i dont have access to daylight because its dark when I get home from work. All I can do is try and test on weekends ourdoors.

JDM

Use an LED flashlight. I started using that when I realized that my evening testing is skewed due to the yellow incandescent lighting whic is mostly fine due to the relative colour changing on the card to but it's not the best. The LED is a little blue, depending on the light, but it doesn't seem to shift the colours much, and it bright and right where you need it.

Jeff.