i followed the exact instructions, and i got no color change at all. i got a yellowish color and it didnt match anything on the phophate card. ive never used api before so im not sure what my reading is. is everyone elses like this?

It's hard to tell what is what at the low levels on the phosphate test, I have to hold it in bright sunlight to really make a good choice. Which basically makes it useless here until July lol.

A very light yellow with no color change should mean you are good though.

Most nitrate test kits are not sensative enough in the low range reefs maintain.

Best bet for phosphate is a Hanna Photometer (or a LFS that can test for you).

You will find that hobby grade P04 test kits aren't very reliable. It's not that they don't work, it's that normally the algae in your tank will consume any PO4 before your kit has a chance to register. The best way to keep an eye out for PO4 is look at your tank. If you have algae, prune it and add GFO in a reactor.