How do I read the ph test with the API master test kit?

Hiya.. I know the title sounds like I'm blind lol, I'm really not.

The regular ph color chart goes as high as 7.6 and is a dark teal color. The high range ph color chart goes as low as 7.4 and is a brown color.

Now my confusion.. when I test with the high range I get a very very light brown, below the 7.4 minimum it can show. When I test with the low range, I get a very very dark teal color, higher than the 7.6 maximum it can show.

It just doesn't make ANY sense to me. If my ph is higher than 7.6 and lower than 7.4, which one do I believe? lol

 

Ha. I have problems with all of them. I get my wife to compare the colors for me.
Maybe its 7.5

 

I get exactly the same readings on PH and High Range PH, but it is the 20-80 nitrate colors that I have trouble interpreting.

 

I mark it as 7.6. On the high range, it goes from 7.4 and 7.8 - it doesn't list 7.6... since the normal range says 7.6 but high range says 7.4 because it isn't as high as 7.8, I feel it will be 7.6.

 

I've had similar issues in the past.

I tend to agree with escapay. When the kits are measuring at their extremes, it's difficult to determine the exact reading. It's just the way the liquid kits work, or more so, the scale that API prints on the cards.

Either way, as long as your pH stays constant, the actual number isn't as important.

Oh, and make sure you use the correct number of drops [I've read in the past of people only using three drops for the high range, which needs 5]

 

Yeah I have used 3 in the past accidently, but the water comes out nearly clear so I figure out my mistake hehe.

It's consistently some non-existant number in between, so I don't worry about it being unhealthy.. it just bugs me.

Thanks guys

 

the liquid test kits for pH can be very difficult to use, try a different water source and see if you can get a result and there by ensure that the kit is actually working properly.

 

It is, it comes out of my tap at 7.8 steady, 100% of the time

 

My PH test does the same thing. I ended up buying a cheap digital PH tester from ebay. After I calibrated it, it showed my ph at 7.5.

 

Could you please post a link to that Ph tester Folion? thanks =D

 

Could you please post a link to that Ph tester Folion? thanks =D

Here it is on newegg.com
Digital pH Meter Tester Water +2 Pouches of Calibration

 

Alot of those yellow and red hand held ones in the links are actaully the same meter just with different cases on them. I use pH meters daily and can say that those are not that bad as far as refference goes, there are some better options out there for a little more money.



Personally for me the extra money spent is worth it, I use one of these at work regularly and the fact that it offers a two point calibration gives it more accuracy in testing. This particular unit is also waterproof in case you drop it.

There are a lot of things to remember with pH probes, calibration should be done regularly, cleaning is required, and the tips MUST be stored in a moist environment or wetter. If you treat your meter right it will last you quite a while with no problems.

 

Ok maybe this is a silly (ignorant) question, but if Ph isn't a big deal as long as it stays pretty much the same, then why the big deal about reading it? Should we be more concerned with nitrates/nitrites/ammonia? Just curious.

 

I don't test it very often, but I do like to look every now and then to make sure nothing has gone wildly different. My main reason for posting and asking is because I'm a bit OCD and it really drives me nuts that I can't read it and know exactly what I have

 

Are their real plants in your tank? Real plants can cause the pH to swing slightly at different times of day.

 

It doesn't swing, comes 7.8 out of the tap, dropped to 7.6 when I added driftwood, then down to this 7.4-7.6 mystery number when the cycle completed. It's identical in both tanks, and both are planted.

It's steadily whatever it is... I just can't figure out what it is

 

I think the numbers don't matter..... I just think if its the wrong color... somethings wrong lol

 

Maybe it's 7.5?