Fauna Marin Multi Reference bad batch?

[USMA36]

How likely is it to get a bad batch of fauna Marin multi reference solution? I just got the 100ml bottle to test all my Hanna checkers. Nitrate should read 10 it read 0 on 3 tests, Alk should be 6.6 but read 5.3, 5.4, and 5.3 again 3 tests. Phosphates seemed ok. Supposed to read .2 read .22 for 2 tests. Salinity was supposed to read 35ppt Milwaukee read 36 on 4 tests Milwaukee digital refractometer. I’m at a loss.

 

[Dan_P]

How likely is it to get a bad batch of fauna Marin multi reference solution? I just got the 100ml bottle to test all my Hanna checkers. Nitrate should read 10 it read 0 on 3 tests, Alk should be 6.6 but read 5.3, 5.4, and 5.3 again 3 tests. Phosphates seemed ok. Supposed to read .2 read .22 for 2 tests. Salinity was supposed to read 35ppt Milwaukee read 36 on 4 tests Milwaukee digital refractometer. I’m at a loss.

You will need to calculate the +/- accuracy for each result before determining whether the result is outside the Checkers expected result range.. The only result that seems bad is the nitrate. This might be a result of a bad batch of Checker reagent.

 

[gbroadbridge]

How likely is it to get a bad batch of fauna Marin multi reference solution? I just got the 100ml bottle to test all my Hanna checkers. Nitrate should read 10 it read 0 on 3 tests, Alk should be 6.6 but read 5.3, 5.4, and 5.3 again 3 tests. Phosphates seemed ok. Supposed to read .2 read .22 for 2 tests. Salinity was supposed to read 35ppt Milwaukee read 36 on 4 tests Milwaukee digital refractometer. I’m at a loss.

The Milwaukee is +/- 2ppt so that is within spec.
I'd test Nitrate and Alk with a different test to see which test is closer.

 

[GARRIGA]

Hobby level test kits aren’t precision accurate and why I depend on trends vs exact numbers.

Only valid way to confirm reference material is correct is to buy another and/or buy a different type of test such as titration in this situation or create your own reference material. For example, fresh saltwater based on weight of salt added to get 35ppt and not scoops or using a known nitrogen source that can be relied on to create an exact or close enough value for nitrate. I did this once with ammonium chloride to validate API ammonia test strips. Oddly, they were pinpoint accurate although it is well documented by others their titration will always show a value even when it is zero. Go figure

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Aside from testing issues, I've also not seen any detailed analysis of the Fauna solutions.

Maybe they are both off. lol

Makes one feel like we are in the dark, with our hand out in front of us to prevent colliding with something unexpected.

 

[ingchr1]

Aside from testing issues, I've also not seen any detailed analysis of the Fauna solutions...

Externally tested, that's a good question. They state the following:

"With Fauna Marin Multi-Reference Solution, you can test your home test kits under accurate conditions. The Reference Solution is the first to be based on a saltwater matrix and is quality tested using Fauna Marin's ICP-AES testing machine."

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Externally tested, that's a good question. They state the following:

"With Fauna Marin Multi-Reference Solution, you can test your home test kits under accurate conditions. The Reference Solution is the first to be based on a saltwater matrix and is quality tested using Fauna Marin's ICP-AES testing machine."

Since icp does not detect alkalinity or nitrate, that isn’t very useful in this context.

 

[GARRIGA]

Since icp does not detect alkalinity or nitrate, that isn’t very useful in this context.

Keeping it simple. What's wrong with making your own batch of salt to manufacturer's recommendation for know values and using that as your reference? For example, if X brand guarantees 440 calcium at 35 ppt based on grams/Liter then how off could one possibly be or need to spend money on having another source it.

Excluding nitrates or phosphates or other items not part of that salt solution.

 

[USMA36]

The concerning one was the alk. My Hanna was saying 8 my apex 7.8 when used the multi reference Hanna was 5.3 a full 1.3dkh lower than what was supposed to be in the bottle. I ended up opening my next trident reagent box and used their calibration solution in the Hanna alk checker. It was dead on using that solution. That made me feel better. Had the multi ref been correct my tank dkh would have been 6.7. I’ll contact fauna marin. For 20.00 per 100ml I would expect tests to be atleast accurate within 5-10%.

 

[Autonomy]

Keeping it simple. What's wrong with making your own batch of salt to manufacturer's recommendation for know values and using that as your reference? For example, if X brand guarantees 440 calcium at 35 ppt based on grams/Liter then how off could one possibly be or need to spend money on having another source it.

Excluding nitrates or phosphates or other items not part of that salt solution.

I totally agree with you. After purchasing a Fauna Marin MultiReference bottle which came with only a list of reference values on the bottle label and nothing else – no instructions or steps on how to use it, and no instructions on the calculation side of things combined with zero instructional videos on the internet or the Fauna Marin website, I felt very lost and confused.

I definitely wasn't happy having spent $40AUS back in 2022 on a product that consumed so much of my time and energy trying to work out exactly how to use it on my own. Through trial and error and spending a whole weekend on it, I finally worked it out so I posted on R2R to share my experience and what I had learned with others.

Despite reaching out to Fauna Marin for help with no response, it wasn’t until I had posted on here that a Fauna Marin Representative, finally replied to my comment and confirmed that what I had shared was correct – so much for after-sales customer service support. ☹

Interestingly enough, while spending so much of my time and energy trying to work it all out on my own and being left very frustrated by such a product, I ended up having a lightbulb moment, which was very similar to your idea of making your own (DIY) reference solution.

After going through the last drop of the Fauna Marin MultiReference (which didn’t last long as most of it was used up trying to figure out how to use it in the first place???), I decided to use my own DIY reference batch as there was no way I’d be spending another $40AUS on a product with lousy after-sales support.

Personally, being in Australia and close to the coast, I’m fortunate enough to have access to natural salt water which I’ve used for the last 11 years, so I sent off two samples for an ICP test (one Triton ICP-OES and one Triton N-DOC ICP).

With both these Triton ICPs, I now have a reference to everything I usually test using the home test kits, including salinity so I’ve saved a 2L container of the natural seawater and use it as my own MultiReference test/solution - it will be lasting me a long time.

Not having to spend any more money on cross-referencing products – is a definite no-brainer for me!!!

 

[GARRIGA]

I totally agree with you. After purchasing a Fauna Marin MultiReference bottle which came with only a list of reference values on the bottle label and nothing else – no instructions or steps on how to use it, and no instructions on the calculation side of things combined with zero instructional videos on the internet or the Fauna Marin website, I felt very lost and confused.

I definitely wasn't happy having spent $40AUS back in 2022 on a product that consumed so much of my time and energy trying to work out exactly how to use it on my own. Through trial and error and spending a whole weekend on it, I finally worked it out so I posted on R2R to share my experience and what I had learned with others.

Despite reaching out to Fauna Marin for help with no response, it wasn’t until I had posted on here that a Fauna Marin Representative, finally replied to my comment and confirmed that what I had shared was correct – so much for after-sales customer service support. ☹

Interestingly enough, while spending so much of my time and energy trying to work it all out on my own and being left very frustrated by such a product, I ended up having a lightbulb moment, which was very similar to your idea of making your own (DIY) reference solution.

After going through the last drop of the Fauna Marin MultiReference (which didn’t last long as most of it was used up trying to figure out how to use it in the first place???), I decided to use my own DIY reference batch as there was no way I’d be spending another $40AUS on a product with lousy after-sales support.

Personally, being in Australia and close to the coast, I’m fortunate enough to have access to natural salt water which I’ve used for the last 11 years, so I sent off two samples for an ICP test (one Triton ICP-OES and one Triton N-DOC ICP).

With both these Triton ICPs, I now have a reference to everything I usually test using the home test kits, including salinity so I’ve saved a 2L container of the natural seawater and use it as my own MultiReference test/solution - it will be lasting me a long time.

Not having to spend any more money on cross-referencing products – is a definite no-brainer for me!!!

I’ve thought of using NSW off my coast in south Florida but not sure how close that reflects the salt I’m using therefore just easier to make a fresh batch and use that as reference. Best use a salt that has ICP testing then just mix to their salinity at their recommended temperature.

 

[Fauna Marin]

How likely is it to get a bad batch of fauna Marin multi reference solution? I just got the 100ml bottle to test all my Hanna checkers. Nitrate should read 10 it read 0 on 3 tests, Alk should be 6.6 but read 5.3, 5.4, and 5.3 again 3 tests. Phosphates seemed ok. Supposed to read .2 read .22 for 2 tests. Salinity was supposed to read 35ppt Milwaukee read 36 on 4 tests Milwaukee digital refractometer. I’m at a loss.

HI. i do not know how old you bottle is or where you get it from. If you like send us the Batch Code to [email protected] then we will take care of it

 

[Fauna Marin]

Since icp does not detect alkalinity or nitrate, that isn’t very useful in this context.

Dear Mr Farley , I have no idea why you need to do such a unprofessional answer, It seemed you have a personal issue with us. Did you really think we do not know this ? We have meanwhile more then 13 Lab mashines on the run. From DOC to Fluorine we can measured everything with has to do with saltwater. BTW the reference solution is tested by 3 different laboratory before its sold to the public. This are not only Labs from Aquarium companys there are also tested from institutions with specific labs.

 

[Fauna Marin]

I totally agree with you. After purchasing a Fauna Marin MultiReference bottle which came with only a list of reference values on the bottle label and nothing else – no instructions or steps on how to use it, and no instructions on the calculation side of things combined with zero instructional videos on the internet or the Fauna Marin website, I felt very lost and confused.

I definitely wasn't happy having spent $40AUS back in 2022 on a product that consumed so much of my time and energy trying to work out exactly how to use it on my own. Through trial and error and spending a whole weekend on it, I finally worked it out so I posted on R2R to share my experience and what I had learned with others.

Despite reaching out to Fauna Marin for help with no response, it wasn’t until I had posted on here that a Fauna Marin Representative, finally replied to my comment and confirmed that what I had shared was correct – so much for after-sales customer service support. ☹

Interestingly enough, while spending so much of my time and energy trying to work it all out on my own and being left very frustrated by such a product, I ended up having a lightbulb moment, which was very similar to your idea of making your own (DIY) reference solution.

After going through the last drop of the Fauna Marin MultiReference (which didn’t last long as most of it was used up trying to figure out how to use it in the first place???), I decided to use my own DIY reference batch as there was no way I’d be spending another $40AUS on a product with lousy after-sales support.

Personally, being in Australia and close to the coast, I’m fortunate enough to have access to natural salt water which I’ve used for the last 11 years, so I sent off two samples for an ICP test (one Triton ICP-OES and one Triton N-DOC ICP).

With both these Triton ICPs, I now have a reference to everything I usually test using the home test kits, including salinity so I’ve saved a 2L container of the natural seawater and use it as my own MultiReference test/solution - it will be lasting me a long time.

Not having to spend any more money on cross-referencing products – is a definite no-brainer for me!!!

Hi. i a not sure where you ask for Support, Here is not our official support chain, it is as also to find on the website by Mail as. [email protected] I check it but there was no questions about the Reference solution. In the Fauna Marin YT Channel are some Video about the reference solution. So also there i am not sure where you ask for. But over all is not an issue we are happy to help you out and take care of your issue. Please send us your Mail to [email protected] and we will take care of your questions and needs. As i explain the product is to use as a replacement of the test water so you know what is in and you can calibrate your test kits or your a correction factor