Most useful laboratory stuff for aquariums

[Forty-Two]

Graduated cylinders

Nuts - my drool emojis don’t work here apparently

 

[Jish mariner]

I have this

 

[Charlie the Reefer]

Awesome thread! It’s cool how many different trades/occupations have their own “hacks” to share for the hobby!

 

[Blopple]

Yes I know what you mean....I do a lot of testing so I did a DIY "Vial Rinsing Gadget" that is like having 4 wash bottles working together...rinses 4 vials at a time...really cuts down on the testing time...Here is a link to the DIY project

VIAL RINSING GADGET---SPEEDS UP TESTING

I actually enjoy testing my tank water as well as doing a lot of experimentation to better understand and improve my measurement results as well as provide new insights to share with the Reefing community. However the one thing I do not enjoy is the rinsing and cleaning of the vials I use in the...

www.reef2reef.com

That’s brilliant! If I had a bit more space for fish stuff I would be building one today!

 

[leon.1980]

There's the option of a shaker table or a vortexer. Problem is they're kind of expensive. If that isn't a big deal to you, go for it!

Magnetic stirrers are not expensive.

 

[naterealbig]

I've worked in pharmaceutical laboratories for many years before starting my aquarium. I've found there's quite a few things we used in the lab that work quite well in the aquarium hobby. I'll list a few and ask if anyone else does this too.

1: Transfer Pipettes - Great for dosing small amounts of anything and for taking small amounts of tank water for testing

2: Magnetic Stir Plate - Makes mixing saltwater hands free

2B: Propeller Variant for bigger volumes

3: Electronic Balance - Eliminates guesswork for making saltwater. I used it to make a precise mark for 15 Liters in my 5gal container, and then weigh 525g of salt for the 15L. Perfect 35ppt/1.026sg saltwater every time.

4: pH Meter: Better than the strips

5: Beakers/Glassware - for general use

My best investment since entering the hobby. Between this and a 76 day QT - nothing makes it to the display.

I think mine is a crappier model camera and i have a 20" monitor i use instead of the small one included here. But you get the idea.

HAYEAR 14MP HDMI HD USB Digital Industry Video Microscope Camera Set+Big Boom Stand Universal Bracket +Monocular C-Mount Lens+144 LED Light + 8" inch HDMI LCD Monitor (300X) https://a.co/d/fhU9Xyr

 

[naterealbig]

adjustable micro-pipetters. I have these in 5ml and 1ml ranges, and use them extensively. Makes my sample draws for testing very consistent.

Definitely stealing this for my Hanna's. I'm anal retentive with respect to Hanna sample volume. Will probably get a few for different reagents, etc.

 

[vahegan]

Very helpful--thanks!

Question: one of the biggest pains is shaking the Hannah cuvettes for 2 minutes when doing certain tests on their digital checkers. Is there a good home solution for mixing/agitating them?

AutoAqua Smart Stir is supposed to do just that. I have ordered one, but have not received yet, so can't give feedback yet. Need to check if the size of Hanna vials will fit it (otherwise I hope I can probably try to DIY-mod it). It was on closeout sale for only $20 on CoralVue, but I had to add a couple of other smaller items to make up to $50 for their free shipping. Regular price is $32.99 elsewhere.

 

[chema]

AutoAqua Smart Stir is supposed to do just that. I have ordered one, but have not received yet, so can't give feedback yet. Need to check if the size of Hanna vials will fit it (otherwise I hope I can probably try to DIY-mod it). It was on closeout sale for only $20 on CoralVue, but I had to add a couple of other smaller items to make up to $50 for their free shipping. Regular price is $32.99 elsewhere.

The Hanna vials match perfectly this small shaker. I have been using it for the last year and my wristtle really appreciates it. Besides, it allows you to work in another test while waiting for the mixing to get done

 

[naterealbig]

Volumetric Flasks for reliable measurement of fluid volume

Especially useful (along with beakers) for calibrating/testing pumps.

 

[naterealbig]

The best for cleaning syringes, cuvettes, and other equipment.

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

I have a 500 ml graduated cylinder that I bought for my hydrometer and use it all the time for other stuff too. I alsobuse a lot of specimen containers.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Graduated Cylinders, Eye droppers, Syringes. Wash Down Bottles, I have one I cut the Pipette off of so I can use it upside, for washing Salt Creep. Also Triangular Sample Cups, for testing and adjusting Dosing Pumps. I have a Test Tube Magnetic Stirrer, makes Water testing much easier and more accurate. I have a larger one that was tossed, due to the heater not working. Need to take it apart to find out why the stirring part quit.

 

[Tavero]

I've worked in pharmaceutical laboratories for many years before starting my aquarium. I've found there's quite a few things we used in the lab that work quite well in the aquarium hobby. I'll list a few and ask if anyone else does this too.

1: Transfer Pipettes - Great for dosing small amounts of anything and for taking small amounts of tank water for testing

2: Magnetic Stir Plate - Makes mixing saltwater hands free

2B: Propeller Variant for bigger volumes

3: Electronic Balance - Eliminates guesswork for making saltwater. I used it to make a precise mark for 15 Liters in my 5gal container, and then weigh 525g of salt for the 15L. Perfect 35ppt/1.026sg saltwater every time.

4: pH Meter: Better than the strips

5: Beakers/Glassware - for general use

Don't buy "all in one" pH meter. The probe has a a durability of only 2-3 years. After that you have to throw away the whole meter. Spare BNC PH probes only cost 10 bucks if the meter is able to switch them.

 

[Syntax1235]

The best for cleaning syringes, cuvettes, and other equipment.

One of the best testing related purchases that I have made to date.

I nice microfiber cloth that dries the vile without adding lint is priceless.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Don't buy "all in one" pH meter. The probe has a a durability of only 2-3 years. After that you have to throw away the whole meter. Spare BNC PH probes only cost 10 bucks if the meter is able to switch them.

Are there different grades of pH Probes? I get a lot longer life out of my Pinpoint Probes, they are always immersed in Saltwater and the only thing I do to them is Brush them off with a Soft Toothbrush.

 

[naterealbig]

I keep gloves on hand too. Prevents my nasty mitts from smudging up the glassware. Particularly important if you're using photometers.

 

[Delatedlotus]

Mine is so simple..."The help line at Red Sea". On Test Kits... If you can ahold of anyone...! Feel me..? lol

 

[rhitee93]

Definitely stealing this for my Hanna's. I'm anal retentive with respect to Hanna sample volume. Will probably get a few for different reagents, etc.

The tips are intended to be disposable, and only a couple of cents each. I just switch a tip out when I am changing reagents. They would be easy to clean as well if you are opposed to disposing of the plastic.

 

[JoJosReef]

Much better for drying cuvettes, syringes and 15mL tubes than laying/standing on a paper towel.