How to properly tell the test result colors..?

I have the API master test kit and for a couple of them, the results could vary. I know it said to compare against the charts white background, but...
If I hold it directly against it, there's a shadow making it darker.
If I hold it off to the side, it's lighter..
If I lay the tube down its different than when it's upright... Ugh..
I don't really know WHICH way is the right way. I tried it in different lighting as well. Some of my results were obviously but I definitely had problems with my nitrate.
PH 7.6
High pH 7.8
Ammonia 1.0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5.0

I KNOW my nitrite was 0 for sure. My ammonia was around that 1.0ish range and nitrate could've been anywhere from 0-5.0.

I just started my cycle last Sunday using tetra safestart so I don't know if my cycle hasn't actually started yet, or if I am cycled already and just have a small bit of ammonia in there. I'm not supposed to do a water change until next Sunday.

 

Funny thing that you bring this up today; I just did a water test with the same kit. If you think you have problems look at the nitrate colors. Do,you see a color diff in the two reds. I know my eyes are old but........

 

I alway round up. If in doubt I always go with the higher number/color.

 

Google the individual apI test kits and look through the s. In some cases people have tested known solutions and have pictures of the results. It's helped me when I couldn't tell if my nitrates were 5 or 40.

 

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...or-api-freshwater-master-test-kit-users.6439/

Good information in the link above.

Ken

 

Great link above. Thankfully I noticed the shaking of the bottle thing, my test kit came out very accurate.
Your nitrate is most likely at 0, you should have nitrites before nitrates. Hope this helps!