Reading API Test Kits

Per the GH & KH instructions, word for word-

5. The test is completed when the water in the test tube, after having been shaken, turns from blue to yellow. If you have difficulty discerning the color, remove the cap from the test tube and, while holding it over a white background, look down through the tube.


Here's the reply I got back from them.

"Thank you very much for contacting us regarding our products. All of your comments and questions are valuable. We use your feedback to create the most effective line of aquarium and pond products available.

To determine the correct reading for your test you will want to hold the test tube directly against the white background of the color card. This will give you the correct level for the reading that you are trying to determine.

If you have any other questions or wish to discuss this further, please email back or give us a call at 1-800-847-0659.

Best Regards,

Nathan Fekula
Technical Service and Research
Mars Fishcare"

 

Cool. That's how I had been reading them for years, nice to finally kill any doubts.

Thanks!

 

Thats how i've been doing it. Good to know. Thanks for sharing the info with us.

 

Yes, their response verifies what I said. It seems there was an added instruction that shoud not have been in there. At least now you know.

 

the answer they gave did not answer the question. they just said hold it up against the white. the reply didnt say if it was to be held sideways or the bottom was to be against the white. at least thats how i see it

i just tested my ph with it. from the top looking threw the tube its a 8.0 from the sideways its a 8.2

 

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/downloads/KH-GH-test-instructions.pdf

The instructions say to look down the tube after the first drop if you are having trouble discerning the color.
I've used this kit for a long time. I've alway read from the side on all the API test kits I've ever used. I have looked down the tube when the color on a Kh test is one drop away from yellow though. If you use them frequently you know what I'm writing about, the blueish yellowish it appears to be right before you add the next drop and it turns completely yellow. At that time, by looking down the tube the solution still appears to be blue.

 

today i was trying to figure out why my 2 ph monitors were reading different. which one was wrong. so i got the drop api test kit out. not that its that great but figured it would tell me which monitor was off. after testing i got 8.0 looking down threw the tub and 8.2 sideways. well the probes where off by the same ... one about 8.0 one at about 8.2. so got the calibration fluid out and dipped the probes in that . since the test didnt tell me. well the calibration fluid told me the pin point probe was the one that was off and needed to be calibrated it was the one reading 8.2 .... so the test did read correct looking down threw the tube. not sideways.

 

that is very interesting

 

For me. I've found the PH kit in particular to be a pain in the butt to decipher the reading. It almost seems like they water down their phenol reagent. Unless im just losing my mind.

The rest of the tests seem great. The kh and calcium do use alot of drops to read proper levels though.

The Saltwater Master kit I got for 18.99 is definitely worth the money I must say regardless.