Nitrate Water test reading

[sumtnfishy]

Could you guys give me your opinion on what reading you would give these nitrate tests? 1st picture. The tube on the left not sure and the tube on the right is tap water at 0ppm.
2nd picture the tube on the left I am not sure. I gave the tube on the right a 5ppm.
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Just want to make sure I am reading them right. Thanks!!

 

[tanker]

I usually look through the glass, not side-by-side.
But, the first looks like 10ppm, and the second 40ppm.

 

[sumtnfishy]

Hey thanks for your input. Yah I try all different kind of angles and lighting for reading water test results. It is helpful to get a sense from others that what I am seeing it right Thank you!

 

[Tifftastic]

If you hold the tube over the card, you can usually identify a bit easier as the colour that matches the reading will kind of disappear into the colour of liquid in the tube, while the higher readings will look darker. If that makes sense.

 

[sumtnfishy]

If you hold the tube over the card, you can usually identify a bit easier as the colour that matches the reading will kind of disappear into the colour of liquid in the tube, while the higher readings will look darker. If that makes sense.

That actually makes total sense and I think will resolve my issue of being unsure.

 

[Rbishop]

And both pics have different lighting going thru/on them. Comparisons must be under the same conditions for consistencies.

 

[fishorama]

& then there's always the possibility your nitrates are in between the card color choices; say 30ppm...& my husband judges color differently than I do. If you think it might be as high as 40ppm, do some water changing to get to a "better test color" (like 10-20ppm). When in doubt, WC is my mantra, lol.

 

[sumtnfishy]

And both pics have different lighting going thru/on them. Comparisons must be under the same conditions for consistencies.

I understand however they are completely two different pictures and readings.

 

[sumtnfishy]

& then there's always the possibility your nitrates are in between the card color choices; say 30ppm...& my husband judges color differently than I do. If you think it might be as high as 40ppm, do some water changing to get to a "better test color" (like 10-20ppm). When in doubt, WC is my mantra, lol.

Gotcha fishorama! thanks

 

[Rbishop]

I understand however they are completely two different pictures and readings.

True, but in the first one there is full light behind the tap sample and that is different than what the tank sample is exposed to. And between the two tests, the lighting and backgrounds are different. I feel it is best you judge all tests the same way and in the same lighting circumstances to improve consistency of readings at your call.