fambrough
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I have been using the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit and have made the following observations.
One, the color chart can be very hard to gauge against test (tube) color, particularly I find with the darker reds on the Nitrate chart.
Two, test color in the tubes can look very different depending on the light source/situation (time/brightness of day light, bulbs/type).
Three, when holding the tubes against the white of the color chart the color changes dramatically darker if the tubes are flush against the chart.
So I've done the following. One, I recruit a second set of eyes to confirm my readings (thanks, spouse!). Two, I test only in the morning in good indirect day light, in the same room. Three, I think the best reading comes when I hold the tube a fingers width from the color chart while I make the color comparison.
I've love to go back to the beginning of my cycle and see how different the readings would be had I been consistent with my comparison method.
Of course, now that my cycle is well under way I wouldn't turn back the hands of time!
How this helps some others struggling with the same issues.
Cheers,
Ben
day 20, now into the nitrite spike
One, the color chart can be very hard to gauge against test (tube) color, particularly I find with the darker reds on the Nitrate chart.
Two, test color in the tubes can look very different depending on the light source/situation (time/brightness of day light, bulbs/type).
Three, when holding the tubes against the white of the color chart the color changes dramatically darker if the tubes are flush against the chart.
So I've done the following. One, I recruit a second set of eyes to confirm my readings (thanks, spouse!). Two, I test only in the morning in good indirect day light, in the same room. Three, I think the best reading comes when I hold the tube a fingers width from the color chart while I make the color comparison.
I've love to go back to the beginning of my cycle and see how different the readings would be had I been consistent with my comparison method.
Of course, now that my cycle is well under way I wouldn't turn back the hands of time!
How this helps some others struggling with the same issues.
Cheers,
Ben
day 20, now into the nitrite spike