Porksoda, get a box in which to keep your tests, and a notebook in which to write down results, which will eventually speed your tests [if you know how you tested 2 days ago, you don't have to go drop by drop to get into the neighborhood]. With experience, you can run the majority of the battery accurately in 5 minutes. Get a 3-5 oz bottle you can dip water with, and use that as your water source: dip it up from your tank, and draw all test water from this bottle. This means if you ever make a mistake with the chemicals [or knock a vial over], it won't involve your tank. Test on the kitchen counter or somewhere far removed from your display tank. Rinse all test vials: kitchen water is ok. Dry them with a paper towel, and keep them clean. Do not let salt build up, say, in your refractometer siphon bulb: that would skew the reading. Keep it clean, keep it separate, and keep a record. If you get mentally confused [I'm numerically dyslexic, myself] you've got a fast way to check what you read yesterday.
The best way to use tests is to spot trends before they get to the 'must correct' stage. Correct gently before the reading leaves the safe zone.
