tan.b

when i do my nitrate test (as i am at this moment in time!) i find it really hard to decide where between 20 and 180 mine is as they all look so alike on the colour chart? is it just me or do others have this same dilemma? the other api tests have very different colours for each band to enable me to differentiate, but the nitrate.....
anyway...your thoughts please......
tan

Luniyn

When I hold up the vial to the card, I hold it right against the white of the card and so that some of the tube overlaps all of the colors. Then (make sure you have a light overhead) slowly turn the card at an angle so that the shadow that the vial casts on itself moves out of the way. Then you get a clear, lit view of the water against the card background. Then it's much easier to see which color the vial water matches. It also helps if you ask someone else in the house just to be sure (my 4 year old loves to help me test the water ).

Bonochick

I agree with Luniyn...except I don't have anyone to help give me a second opinion, my boyfriend usually isn't home when I test. My dogs try to help, but...well... :

tan.b

OOOOoooo will try that! tested one tank....only 3 more to go! there is the bias prob, i prob skew the results down a bit!!? thanks luniyn!

COBettaCouple

Sometimes the color seems to be in between colors. But then the same could be said of the ammonia test. I do look at the tube like you suggested Luniyn, but do find i sometimes get a result in the middle of 2 color blocks.

Gargoyle

I just do what Luniyn suggested on all of the tests provided in the master test kit. Sometimes I am not sure but know it is between two of the options. So I just record that in my logs. I have found that the more I use it the easier it is to figure out what it is telling me.

Luniyn

Yeah I often get a color between 2 as well, especially on the nitrate being that there are such large gaps between the different colors. But it is easy enough to see which 2 colors it is between and I usually just take the higher of the two just to be safe.

COBettaCouple

yea, same here.. although it's tempting to 'cheat' and take the lower number.

Luniyn

The fish aliens told me to pick the lower number... honest!

COBettaCouple

LOL.. exactly.

tan.b

just me then!!! :P what i'd like is a probe thar gives instant digital readings of all 4 things! my impatience strikes again : tan

Gargoyle

They sell those probes... Most of them are around 80 to 200 USD a piece. You would need at least 4 of them... You sure you what them that bad ??

tan.b

mmmm, let me see........in a word......no!!! will stick to api! takes me ages though as i only have 1 tube, so cant do them all together like before, so do one test, wait 5 mins, wash, do another test, wait 5 mins, wash....really need to buy another test kit....and take more care and be less clumsy!! tan

Gargoyle

Oh thats sad... I didn't know about the one tube thing... I think I am up to 12 tubes right now an if you were close to me I would be happy to share a few with you.

tan.b

awww, thanks for the thought!! my own fault. they topple over so easily and they all toppled off mantle piece onto hearth on 3 seperate occasions! i really should learn and be more careful and avoid that area of the lounge!! its just thats the most stable place out of reach of kids i can find! : thing is, prob safer with kids....they're less clumsy than me i think! :P

COBettaCouple

lol.. i knock mine over or drop them all the time.. that's why i put them on a counter they won't break on.. we need to order about 100 a each maybe.

griffin

lol - sometimes, i'll use another glass vial instead of the tubes. makes testing go faster i just measure out 5 mL and go from there like usual i actually prefer the other kind of vial, i think it's easier to see/match up the colors.

Gargoyle

Yes a 5ML dropper would save me tons of time.. Must get one!!