PH test for visually impaired.

[TBSNPS]

I was having a difficult time "reading" the ph with the Taylor K-1000 supplied with my forum recommended test kit, the one in my signature. The shades of color are just too close for me to get a reliable reading.
What I discovered was that there are different size sample tubes available. The larger the tube the easier it is to distinguish the color differences, for me anyway. I'm sure others are having a problem also.
I "found" an old KemTek test kit in my "drawer"..lol, It has a fill line of 36ml and uses 5 drops of their phenol red. The date on the chemical was 6-14, a bit out of date. But the color difference on the test tube is very easy to read as the colors are not even close to one another in shade!
The K-1000 has a 7ml tube, uses R0014 reagent, mine dated 4-20.
So that's a start, I needed to validate my "stuff" so took a sample to Leslies to see what they used for ph test. Well, they had a Taylor tube of 44ml using R0004 reagent.
The young man helping me out was actually having a good time, he said he was learning valuable info. So, I'm pleased he was assisting me.
We took a sample with the Kemtek using the outdated p red. I matched his sample in his 44 ml tube with his R0004. HUMMM.
So , my tube actually holds exactly 44ml to the top. All I needed to do was leave room for 5 ml of R0004. Yup it worked .. The color strips on the Kemtek matched those on his test tube.
I purchased a dropper of R0004 and now am able to easily read my ph colors.
And I was very happy with the person that helped me out. I still won't purchase much of anything else there.
So, for those of us visually challenged, there is a way without using those pens.
comments welcome.

 

[jblizzle]

note that the volume of water and the number of drops you use for a pH tests are not terribly important. You don't need exactly 44 mL of water and many members find it easier to match the colors only using 4 drops.

 

[Dodger]

I bought the Taylor 9056 comparator that goes with the R0004 and definitely like it much better than the little tube + R0014.

I also start with 4 drops of R-0004 and check that color before adding a 5th, which I need only sometimes.

Or try holding the comparator horizontally so the colors aren't stacked; it can help matching the color.

Finally, I find doing the acid demand test with R0005 after the R0004 read helps to finalize if I'm feeling unsure.

 

[BMK]

If having trouble matching colors using the small comparator of the tf100, this may also help.

When reading results, hold the comparator up using one hand, while using an index card (or equivalent) to block the face of it so you see no colors. Slowly lift the card to reveal only the bottom row. Not a match? Lift again to reveal only the next row....and so on until you match. You may be surprised at how this simple concept of comparing a single row at a time, progressively, makes color matching easier. At least it does for me.