API test kits

[Douglas grace]

So I use the API test kits and they say to wait 3 minutes for results. My question is if I wait longer than the recommended time are they inacuurate? .... Because at 3 minutes my ammonia is 0 but I leave it on the counter and come back its changed to .25 so which one should I trust.

 

[Big G]

Welcome to R2R! Many of the tests can and do continue to darken with time.

 

[Douglas grace]

Welcome to R2R! Many of the tests can and do continue to darken with time.

Ok so you would say the result at recommended time is most accurate.... Ty for info

 

[Big G]

You are welcome. Try to do your testing in the same location with the same lighting to be consistent. ;)

 

[Jvesche20]

Recommended time is most accurate. Sometimes you don’t have to wait the full 3 minutes. Just after a minute or so. If you wait like 5 mins I don’t see an issue but if you leave it for 30 mins it might start to mess up a little. I used to use api but I find they aren’t that accurate and super hard to read. It seems the color for 2 or 3 numbers are almost identical

 

[Douglas grace]

Will do I'm just cycling my tank and was curious if the time frame to check the tests makes a difference.

 

[Douglas grace]

Recommended time is most accurate. Sometimes you don’t have to wait the full 3 minutes. Just after a minute or so. If you wait like 5 mins I don’t see an issue but if you leave it for 30 mins it might start to mess up a little. I used to use api but I find they aren’t that accurate and super hard to read. It seems the color for 2 or 3 numbers are almost identical

Yeah I know what you mean I'm gonna use these up but will most definitely look into other ones when I need them

 

[K7BMG]

Yes the color will darken over time.
The wait time on my API tests are 5 min.

I feel that doing exactly as the instructions say will yeald a solid result.
Most dont take the time to do it right.
I know a person who justs adds reagents shakes and done.
Always complained about how inaccurate they were.
I said well your not following the instructions, he laughed and said he did not have time for all that.
We did it the right way as the instructions said and got real results go figure.
I agree that color comparison tests are somewhat hard to decipher but they will show you if your in trouble.

So to answer your question if your instructions say to read at 3 min then I recomend you do so.
This holds true if you bring in your water to be tested at the LFS.
Most dont have time to do it correctly nor do they have clean equipment when testing.
My LFS told me they keep the salinity at 1.025.
I have sampled their water twice now and its at 1.020

 

[Douglas grace]

Yes the color will darken over time.
The wait time on my API tests are 5 min.

I feel that doing exactly as the instructions say will yeald a solid result.
Most dont take the time to do it right.
I know a person who justs adds reagents shakes and done.
Always complained about how inaccurate they were.
I said well your not following the instructions, he laughed and said he did not have time for all that.
We did it the right way as the instructions said and got real results go figure.
I agree that color comparison tests are somewhat hard to decipher but they will show you if your in trouble.

So to answer your question if your instructions say to read at 3 min then I recomend you do so.
This holds true if you bring in your water to be tested at the LFS.
Most dont have time to do it correctly nor do they have clean equipment when testing.
My LFS told me they keep the salinity at 1.025.
I have sampled their water twice now and its at 1.020

Cool tyvm I just had to check but yeah mine is 5 min also