Does tube testers tell how much life is left for tubes?


Let's say that you have new tubes, very old tubes that are almost to die, and something in the middle.
What kinds of reading do you expect from these three kinds?
Can you usually tell the life of tubes from tube testers?
How about the color? Do those three kinds of tubes have different colors when they were turned on?
I would like to know when to change tubes before it gets too late.
Some says if it sounds good, don't bother to change. 
Some brands of power/pre amps consume more on tubes than other brands and their life seems varies brand by brand. 
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Showing 1 response by don_c55

An approximation of tube life can be found from the cathode emissions, which I think some testers can provide.

When the cathode electron emission drops way low the tube is at the end of its life.

Tubes can test good right up to the end time of failure.