Nitrate Test Kits

[nero]

I THINK ive finally got a reading on my nitrate test kit? Would this possibly mean that the tank is finally starting to cycle?
But seriously! How are you supposed to match up with the colour chart thing? I mean, my sample seems to have turned pinker rather than purpler? What are you suppose to do....guess? It doesnt look like any of the colour patches!
Sorry; but thats my gripe about testing kits. Hard to read, hard to match up the colours.

 

[ChriX]

Depends what test kit you get I guess, i've always used the Hagen liquid ones, work fine for me.

As for your tank starting to cycle, you should be testing for ammonia and nitrite too, and check your tapwater to see if it's the same as what you get in the tank. HTH