Testing kits

[jchopkin]

Iv seen online that the NT Aquarium Lab kit is a whole lot cheaper than the marine version and includes more testing liquids.

Are these just the same tests but differently priced to make more money from mariners? Or am I just better off getting the marine versions? Currently been using API and had some weird readings. Also got some queries about my new hanna tester however that's for a different day

 

[jchopkin]

Photo of said kits

 

[Reef - Tripp]

They are different reagents for fresh water than salt water, but I can't recommend more than salifert and hanna

 

[jchopkin]

I best get the marine ones then. Iv recently bought a hanna salinity tester however Its saying my water is 1.023 when my refractometer says its 1.025 now everything in my tank is perfectly fine but I'm really worried now that one of them is wrong and I may of potentially wasted £70 and still unclear on what salinity my water actually is.

They are different reagents for fresh water than salt water, but I can't recommend more than salifert and hanna

 

[vetteguy53081]

The reagents have different compound as salt is denser than freshwater

 

[Gtinnel]

I best get the marine ones then. Iv recently bought a hanna salinity tester however Its saying my water is 1.023 when my refractometer says its 1.025 now everything in my tank is perfectly fine but I'm really worried now that one of them is wrong and I may of potentially wasted £70 and still unclear on what salinity my water actually is.

If you have a cheap set of scales it's incredibly easy to make a reference solution to test the refractometer with table salt. I don't believe that solution works with the Hanna though.

 

[jchopkin]

If you have a cheap set of scales it's incredibly easy to make a reference solution to test the refractometer with table salt. I don't believe that solution works with the Hanna though.

I made solution I found on here then tested my tank with showed a number closer to that of my hanna however when I test ro water on my refractometer it shows way below 1.000

 

[HawkeyeDJ]

I made solution I found on here then tested my tank with showed a number closer to that of my hanna however when I test ro water on my refractometer it shows way below 1.000

Refractometers need to be calibrated with a calibration fluid for accurate results.

This is what I use:

Refractometer Calibration Fluid