QTest Photometer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The QTest Photometer is a portable and standalone device for the evaluation of our quantitative tests. It measures the color intensity and outputs the direct values for the measured alkaloids.
It displays directly how many milligrams of psilocybin are in your mushroom sample or how many micrograms of LSD are on your blotter, for example.
We have already measured all pure substances at the university and have shared all data and calibration lines publicly. Regardless of this, it is a proper open-source photometer and can measure different wavelengths and be useful for a lot of other experiments besides QTests.
Introducing the QTest Photometer: Precision in Drug Analysis
The QTest Photometer by miraculix in cooperation with IO rodeo, revolutionizes drug checking by combining cutting-edge spectrophotometry technology with user-friendly design. This portable device allows individuals to accurately measure the concentration of active compounds, such as MDMA and psilocybin, using minimal sample sizes from the comfort of home or in harm reduction settings. With its quick results, precise measurements, and ease of use, the QTest Photometer empowers users to make safer, informed decisions about their substance use, ultimately enhancing harm reduction efforts in an increasingly risky market.
If you would like to learn more about how the idea for the QTest Photometer originated, how miraculix pioneered the use of this technique in drug checking, and discover key features, check out our blog. We also provide a step-by-step guide on how to use the QTest Photometer, along with insights into the advantages of photometry over traditional qualitative reagents. For more, visit our Blog Article.
QTest Photometer Instruction Manual
The “README” file is pre-installed on the photometer and can be accessed once the device is connected to your computer.
Here you will always find the latest versions of the README and related documents — also available in our webshop for download.
For best practice, we recommend visiting the Step-by-Step Guide — it not only explains how to prepare the blank and perform each measurement correctly, but also helps you understand the reasoning behind each step, so you can learn and improve your technique over time.
Frequently asked questions about the QTest Photometer
These are the answers to frequently asked questions so far:
A blank is an initial reference measurement using a fresh, unused detection solution — prepared exactly as your test, but without adding any sample.
Its purpose is to correct for the natural color or background of the detection solution, ensuring that all following measurements reflect only the substance being analyzed.
Performing a proper blank before testing your samples is essential for accurate and reliable results.
For more information on how to prepare a correct blank, please refer to the README file if you are using a standard QTest, or to the Bulk Instruction Manual if you are working with a bulk test setup.
⚠️ Before taking any of the unused detection solution for the blank, make sure that all materials — pipettes, syringes, and blunt needles — are new or completely clean, and free from any acid or chemical residues from previous tests. Even tiny traces of contamination can discolor the blank and distort your final results.
- Take 800 µL from the unused detection solution and add it to a clean cuvette.
- Use this cuvette to blank the photometer.
- After blanking, return the 800 µL of detection solution to the original container.
- Then, complete the QTest procedure as usual, following the instructions in the manual.
- After finishing, take 800 µL of the colored detection solution and measure your sample.
Important: Do not change any settings between performing the blank and measuring your sample. If any settings are modified, the photometer must be blanked again.
The blank prepared during the testing procedure may be reused if handled and stored appropriately.
⚠️ Under no circumstances should the used blank solution be returned to the original stock vial. After performing the blank measurement, pour any leftover solution into a clean glass container (not plastic), seal it tightly, and keep it in the fridge, protected from light. Under these conditions, the blank can be reused for up to one month.
However, over time, the color of the blank may shift slightly — especially if stored for several days. This change can lead to small variations in your results, usually around 1–3%, which may appear as a mild false positive.
If the stored blank becomes darker than it was originally, the photometer will treat this darker color as the new “zero.” When you later measure your real sample — which is dissolved in a fresher and slightly lighter detection solution — the photometer might interpret that difference as if your sample contains less active compound than it actually does.
This variation is not representative of your true sample — it's simply a result of using a blank that no longer matches the background of the test solution. Whether this affects you depends on how precise you want to be. If you need high accuracy (e.g., for dose comparisons or consistency), we recommend preparing a fresh blank each time. For general use or learning, reusing the stored blank is fine — just monitor the storage time and check that the color hasn’t changed noticeably.
The cuvette has a face marked with a triangle pointing downwards. This side should be positioned parallel to the photometer screen, with the triangle pointing toward you. This ensures proper orientation for accurate measurement.
Yes, always use a clean cuvette to measure your sample. After performing the blank, carefully pipette at least 800 µl of the colored detection solution into a new, empty cuvette to avoid any contamination or interference from previous samples.
No, once you have performed the initial blank, you can measure several samples consecutively without needing to perform another blank, as long as the samples are from the same QTest. Be sure to use the correct detection solution for each QTest.
If you switch from one QTest to another (e.g., from the MDMA QTest to the LSD QTest), remember that the blanks are not interchangeable. You will need to perform a new blank using an unused detection solution specific to the QTest you are about to conduct.
The LSD-QTest has two protocols: one for measuring the amount of LSD on a blotter and another for measuring a drop of liquid LSD. Make sure to follow the correct protocol depending on the form of LSD you are testing for accurate results.
We provide the latest and appropriate miraculix software for the photometer through our official channels. You can quickly and easily access it here: Photometer Software.
For a direct exchange or questions, you can join our signal group. Here you can discuss photometer-related topics directly with other users and us. You can simply join the group via the following link: Photometer Signal Group - click here
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