water testing kits

[kimberlya18]

I purchased a testing kit that uses 4 vials - tests the usuals - ph, nitrate, nitrite and ammonia.

The directions say to examine the color after 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes the water is one color - but it seems that if I leave the vial on the countertop, and examine the color again in, let's say, a half an hour, the colors deepen and it suggests higher levels.

Do the colors become inaccurate after they sit for a prolonged time?

[mikersx02]

yep- the chemical reactions dont stop when the 5 minutes is up. It just keeps going until the active ingredient is used up.

[longdangler]

Mine are the same way. Have to make sure you check them when the time limit is up otherwise you get a false reading

[Ichyface]

what test kit is it API?

[kimberlya18]

Yes, API