Reading API master Test Kit

[Kirk94]

How do you read the test.
So it says against the white background on the chart.
Is this directly on it of a few milimetres away because in my eyes they give drastically different results.

 

[saltwater60]

What picture is waiting 5 minutes?

 

[Blueberrybetta]

You're ammonia is high at 1ppm . Ammonia should always be at 0ppm . Are you cycling a tank ? If not please do a water change if you have fish.


For the nitrate test . Color looks off to me... did you read instructions right ? You can't add both Nitrate #1 & #2 at once . You also have to shake bottle #2 for a few seconds and then add it to the tube, shake that for whole minute

 

[CoryBoi]

How do you read the test.
So it says against the white background on the chart.
Is this directly on it of a few milimetres away because in my eyes they give drastically different results. View attachment 667796View attachment 667795View attachment 667800
View attachment 667798

I would assume that you are supposed to hold it to the card so natural light doesn’t shine thru it as much. But I see what you mean, those are wildly different!

 

[Inner10]

Don't block off light, hold it in front not against.

 

[TWiG87]

I try and have it in some sort of natural light source as well. Just not directly. I find it makes it easier to read, at least for me.

 

[Kirk94]

What picture is waiting 5 minutes?

All of them. Be a terrible comparison if they were at different times

 

[Tez]

How do you read the test.

The best way I read mine is putting kitchen roll down and the colour chart which i've cut out the book and when i've done what I have to for each test, I rest the tube on the end of the colour sheet and it shows good results plus I double check by the kitchen window as we get loads of light coming through.
Just a quick pic of how I do them as mine was tested this morning

 

[86 ssinit]

Lol how to read an apI test . Best test kit we have but it still s##ks . Me I put the vial directly over the color chart. If you can see the color underneath that’s not it . It’s the last color you can’t see. For me this takes all the guessing out of it. I’m just thinking if your guessing your going to be doing more tests. Great way to sell product. Nitrate 20ppm 0 ammonia

 

[Kirk94]

Thank you all

 

[RegisG]

Lol how to read an apI test . Best test kit we have but it still s##ks . Me I put the vial directly over the color chart. If you can see the color underneath that’s not it . It’s the last color you can’t see. For me this takes all the guessing out of it. View attachment 667809View attachment 667810I’m just thinking if your guessing your going to be doing more tests. Great way to sell product. Nitrate 20ppm 0 ammonia

Great/helpful "instruction"
Where did you get those great, large color charts?

Regis

 

[86 ssinit]

Those are from a kit from 2000. Funny thing the multI test cards I have seen in many different shades. Like the ink was less in some than others. Tests liquids are the same. Did side by side tests and they were the same

 

[Tez]

Those are from a kit from 2000.

Are these are the actual kits now? as they want to be for the price.

 

[86 ssinit]

Yes and they now come with an expiration date . Go figure.

 

[Tez]

Yes and they now come with an expiration date . Go figure.

I've got an older one that's still in date but half used but when I saw them going on offer for nearly £23 I jumped at it because the expiry dates are good...I was only making sure

 

[johnbirg]

Hi, API master test kit is a pain. I switched to the Fluval test kit and find it much better but it is a bit more money.

 

[Tez]

Hi, API master test kit is a pain. I switched to the Fluval test kit and find it much better but it is a bit more money.

John not seen that so I'll look it up cheers

 

[Inner10]

Hi, API master test kit is a pain. I switched to the Fluval test kit and find it much better but it is a bit more money.

How's it better? I was eyeballing it at my LFS but I have so many darn test kits already lol.

 

[Tez]

Well today removed some water and took water from the middle of my tank I always do...my cycle must be coming to an end as my ammonia was 0.10ppm to me more yellow, nitrite 0ppm and nitrate 0.8ppm.

I've took shots to show members.

 

[johnbirg]

How's it better? I was eyeballing it at my LFS but I have so many darn test kits already lol.

The ammonia test is accurate and easier to distinguish between the levels. It also doesn't give a false reading when ammonia is zero. The API often gives a .25 reading when ammonia is zero which causes consternation to newbies when cycling a new tank. It is also easier to see the colours for nitrite and nitrate tests.