IS THERE A BETTER TEST KIT

You are not alone on this one.
Color coding and comparison charts are a utopia that can easily be misread.
The only help I can suggest is to understand the reactions happening. Once
you know why and when a color changes during the titration or chemical
reaction, you'll learn what to look for.
In ammonia for example, is the blue changes you are looking for. The
intensity of the blue tells you to what extent ammonia reacted with the
solution, this could come in a series of different shades of green, yellow
or clear.
Again, try buying an Organic Chemistry lab book. It is technical but once
you understand what is happening backstage, you'll see the advantages of
your time investment.
iy
"Peter Pan" wrote in message
...
I've been using Aquarium Pharmaceuticals test kit to measure the Ammonia,
Nitrites, Nitrates pH ect.. After taking the prescribed measure of water
and using their solution, and waiting the appropriate amount of time, you
compare it to the color strip cards they provide to the color of the test
tube. I've been told by various people that you compare the color of the
tube to that on the cards, you should hold the tube up to the light and
compare that color to the color on the card. Others have told me to place
the tube directly on the card to compare the colors. You get dramatic
differences in the reading depending on what way you do it.
I always get readings between the colors and I can never tell what I truly
have. Is there a better way to test the levels in my tank? Also what the
correct way to measure the colors against the cards.

Thanks