Test tips for reading?

I do not have a good eye and have a hard time determining the color of the test vs the card or etc. Currently I have my 6 year old read the color for me as she has actually got a good eye for color.. That way I dont have to hogtie my 6 year old to help....

I do photography and have her help me white balance photos with no grey card.. Sad I know, but true... Thing is, she is always really close at the balance compared to the professional lab I use..

Are there any tricks to reading the colors for people that have a hard time determining the colors?

 

I will be following because I can not for the life of me tell the difference with my API ktis from 5-40nitrates or the pH from 7.8-8.2. Thenagain I am colorblind bu my wife helps me out but always complains the color in the tube really doesnt match any of the colors on the card but its kind of between 2 of them

 

Honestly I'd just get a salifert or red sea test kit! Much easier and more accurate!

 

So neither of them are color compared based?

 

IS either one better than the other? I only got the API because it was cheap and I didnt wantto waste money on kits for ammonia and nitrite since I was cycling but did look into the red sea pro. Is one easierto read than the other?

 

Well I have the Redsea and you slowly drop solution in using a syringe an when it changes colors you just look at how much solution you used and match that amount to a chart! No guessing what shade it is! Much easier! And refills are only $12 I believe!

 

Depends on the test you are using. Salifert and Elos has a definite color change for calcium and magnesium but you are still comparing cards/reagent with NO3, NO2, etc.

If you are testing alk or phosphates, get rid of the liquid and pick up some hanna checkers if you can afford them.

As far as test accuracy goes there has been a few studies by well known hobbyist/writers and the major brands are all pretty close in every case. I just the other day tested calcium with a brand new Saliftert kit vs. a year old API Calcium kit. The API read only 20ppm lower.

 

Thats why I use Salifert kits. It is a distinct color change like red to blue etc and not little changes of the same color.