proper use of test kits??????

[goda]

how am i supposed to compare the test results to the card taht comes with the hagen test kits? after the test is done should i hold the vial verticaly or horizontaly i knotice if i hold it horizontaly the color appears different from vertical. ( since its not as thick it appears lighter)
anyways always wonderd this. not like i cant ell the difference anyways ( especialy on the ph one.. it appears anywhere between 8.1 - 8.5 )

plus comparing a liguid to a piece of paper dosnt seem to work well can you recomend a test kit that uses colored plastic ( kinda clear.. iv seen them for pools before and it seems like a easyer way to test)

[goda]

i wasnt paying attention when i typed that. hope it makes sense

[boxfishpooalot]

On the Hagen test kit IIRC, your supposed to veiw the color from the side. But every kit is different. Most test kits should specify wich way to veiw it.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'm not a fan of pH test kits in general, and I've not used the Hagen so I cannot comment on the proper use of it. I recommend a pH meter for pH measurements. :)

[goda]

yeah but my dimmer/computer never seemed to work witht he ph probes
it seems like it looses calibration after oneday

( and blue line is absolutly no help.)

what probes do you all use?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Well, I do not know about that specific instrument, but most pH probes do not have that problem, even inexpensive ones. I use a fairly expensive meter, but many folks use ones from Pinpoint, Milwaukee, and other brands. :)
These articles may help:

Measuring pH with a Meter
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2004/chem.htm

A Comparison of pH Calibration Buffers
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-02/rhf/index.htm