API Nitrate Test

The 5.0 color bar and the 10 color bar looks almost identical on my test card...they both look like the same color of orange? Do I have a bad card or does anyone else have a problem with distinguishing the color b/w these two?

 

they are indeed very close together. i gave up on API test and got elos which is much easier to read for me.

 

there close. are you holding the tube against the white background on the card in a well lit room?

really dont worry if it looks like 5 or 10, those are good numbers.. its when its over 20,40 etc..

 

yes, I've been very happy my nitrates have been reduced from the 20 mark. I am just curious... I definitely read in a well lit room, but I've been holding about an inch or so from the white background (thought that is what it said)?

 

right on, thanks for the input

 

I also gave up on API.

I use Salifert's test now. Can read in high range mode from top down.


Or low range mode with the same sample from the side. When reading in this mode divide the result by two. In this case 2.5 ppm.

 

i agree, it is very hard to distinguish the difference between 5-10, but like night-rida said those are pretty good numbers and ad aslong as your that light orange or lower your doing just fine.

 

cool. good to know I'm not the only one, and that my numbers are on the good side

maybe I'll check out that elos kit for the next one pgreef/rdarris

 

i too have this problem with all my test kits. i have to basically go with the closest shade that matches. but half the time wind up questioning. like the new PH test kit i got is shades of purple and from 8.0 to 8.6 they all look pretty darn close to one another on the card. driving me nuts. making me want to spend alot of money on electronic testers or something.

 

api phosphate test numbers down low are the hardest for me to read. .5 .25 .0 look so close. thats the only api test I dont like. I just assume its 0-.25