Api Master Kit Question

Its a beautiful 6:00 am everyone where are you all?)) So I am in the first week of cycling a 16 gallon Spec V. I am not sure that I am reading the the results of the master kit correctly. Do I hold the tube right up against the card to match the color or take the tube away a half inch or so to read the color. When you place the tube directly up against the color card the color always comes out darker. Thanks so very much for any help!!)

Spec V 16 gallon
Marineland jet pump
Aqua clear HOB filter
4 inch air stone

 

put the tube against the white background next to it and compare.

 

You can also put the tubes over the color chart and the color you can't see through the tube should be your reading. You can post pics of your 4 readings and we can usually help.

 

You can also put the tubes over the color chart and the color you can't see through the tube should be your reading. You can post pics of your 4 readings and we can usually help.

I see this suggested from time to time, but the directions say specifically to hold the test tube against the white of the card when comparing. Not sure if it makes a difference or not.

 

put the tube against the white background next to it and compare.

Thank you so very much!!

You can also put the tubes over the color chart and the color you can't see through the tube should be your reading. You can post pics of your 4 readings and we can usually help.

Hello and thanks for replying. I am attaching a pic of my ammonia reading. I am on my third day of cycling a tank so this is the only reading that will come out correctly right now. It looks like 4ppm to me. What do you think? Thanks

 

put the tube against the white background next to it and compare.

Many thanks for your reply. So nice to know I can come here for help

I see this suggested from time to time, but the directions say specifically to hold the test tube against the white of the card when comparing. Not sure if it makes a difference or not.

Here is the ammonia reading. It looks like 4ppm to me. Make sure to enlarge the photo). Thank you

 

Thank you so very much!!


Hello and thanks for replying. I am attaching a pic of my ammonia reading. I am on my third day of cycling a tank so this is the only reading that will come out correctly right now. It looks like 4ppm to me. What do you think? Thanks

Yes appears to be 4ppm to me as well
I think ultimately at the end of the day we just have to use our best judgment weather we hold it up to the chart beside the chart in sunlight or room light. I think aside from getting say a digital reading we can only give it our best guess!

 

I found taking a pic from your phone with flash on helps if your unsure. 1st without flash.2nd with flash.

 

I found taking a pic from your phone with flash on helps if your unsure. 1st without flash.2nd with flash.

Thanks I took it with the flash on).