Fauna Marin Multi Reference, 100 ml
SKU: FM-MREF-20
- The Fauna Marin Multi-Reference Solution is a 100ml ICP-AES tested saltwater-matrix reference solution for verifying and calibrating reef aquarium test kits.
- It contains certified values for calcium, magnesium, potassium, alkalinity, salinity, strontium, nitrate, and phosphate in a single solution — the first reference solution built on a true saltwater matrix.
- Each batch is individually tested in the Fauna Marin Seawater Research Laboratory; certified values are printed on the bottle and vary by batch.
- Use it to verify new test kits, check accuracy after unexpected results, validate stored or expired kits, and calibrate refractometers.
Fauna Marin
Fauna Marin is a German manufacturer offering an extensive, successful product line that includes coral and fish foods, water treatments, lab tests, and equipment.
ICP-Tested Calibration Standard for Reef Test Kits
The Fauna Marin Multi-Reference Solution is the calibration standard for reef hobbyists who want to know whether their test kits are reading accurately. Most hobbyists trust their test results without ever verifying the kit itself. The Multi-Reference Solution changes that by giving you a liquid with known, certified parameter values — tested against Fauna Marin's ICP-AES machine in their Seawater Research Laboratory — that you can run through any home test kit to see exactly how far off the kit reads from the true value.
What makes this reference solution different from others is its saltwater matrix. The solution is formulated to match the ionic composition of real reef aquarium water rather than a freshwater or synthetic base, which means the results you get when testing it reflect real-world conditions rather than an idealized lab environment. A single 100ml bottle covers calcium, magnesium, potassium, alkalinity, salinity, strontium, nitrate, and phosphate — eight parameters in one solution.
Every batch is individually quality-controlled and tested. The certified values are printed directly on each bottle and vary by batch, so always use the values from your specific bottle rather than a published generic figure.
Once you have tested the reference solution with your kit and identified the difference between your kit's reading and the bottle's certified value, you can calculate a correction factor and apply it to all future readings from that kit. See the correction factor calculator below to apply this automatically.
Key Features:
- ICP-AES tested a saltwater-matrix reference solution; the first reference solution based on a true saltwater matrix
- Covers 8 parameters in a single solution: calcium, magnesium, potassium, alkalinity, salinity, strontium, nitrate, and phosphate
- Each batch individually tested in the Fauna Marin Seawater Research Laboratory
- Certified values printed on the bottle; values vary by batch — always use your bottle's specific values
- 100ml bottle
- Ideal for verifying new test kits, checking results after unexpected readings, validating stored or expired kits, and calibrating refractometers
- Compatible with any home test kit brand (Salifert, Red Sea, API, and others)
Ideal For:
- Reef hobbyists who want to verify their test kits are reading accurately before trusting parameter data to make dosing or water change decisions
- Anyone using an automated testing system (such as the CoralVue ABC Reagent system) who needs a reliable calibration standard with certified, ICP-verified values
- Hobbyists who have received unexpected test results and want to determine whether the kit or the aquarium water is the source of the discrepancy
- Anyone checking the accuracy of a test kit that has been stored for an extended period or is approaching its expiration date
Pro Tips:
- Always use the certified values printed on your specific bottle, not generic published values. Fauna Marin tests each batch individually and the certified values vary. The values listed on the product page are examples from a prior batch — your bottle may differ. Using the wrong reference value will produce an incorrect correction factor.
- Test the reference solution with every parameter kit you rely on. A kit that reads accurately for calcium may read off for magnesium. Run the reference solution through each kit individually and calculate a separate correction factor for each parameter.
- Use the correction factor calculator to apply your results. Once you know your kit's reading versus the bottle's certified value, use the calculator below to determine your correction factor and apply it to any future aquarium reading from that kit automatically.
- Recheck your kits periodically, not just at purchase. Test kit accuracy can drift over time, especially after extended storage or temperature exposure. Running the Multi-Reference Solution through your kits every few months confirms they are still reading within an acceptable range.
What's Included:
1x Fauna Marin Multi-Reference Solution, 100ml
Specifications:
- Volume: 100ml
- Matrix: Saltwater (matches reef aquarium ionic composition)
- Testing Method: ICP-AES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy)
- Quality Control: Each batch is individually tested in the Fauna Marin Seawater Research Laboratory
- Parameters Covered: Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Alkalinity, Salinity, Strontium, Nitrate, Phosphate
- Certified Values: Printed on bottle; vary by batch — example values from a prior batch listed below for reference only
Example Certified Values (prior batch — confirm against your bottle):
- Calcium: 422 mg/L
- Magnesium: 1,315 mg/L
- Potassium: 409 mg/L
- Alkalinity: 6.6 dKH (2.35 meq/L)
- Salinity: 35 ppt (53.0 mS) at 25°C
- Strontium: 8 mg/L
- Nitrate: 10 mg/L
- Phosphate: 0.2 mg/L
While most of our equipment carries a one-year manufacturer's warranty, consumable products like fish and coral foods are not covered under traditional warranty terms due to their perishable nature and varied storage conditions. However, we fully stand behind the quality of every product we sell. If you experience any issues with your food purchase shortly after receiving it, such as concerns about freshness, packaging integrity, or product quality, please contact us at [email protected]. We're committed to making it right and will work with you to resolve any problems quickly and fairly.
How to verify your test kit accuracy and calculate a correction factor:
- Locate the certified parameter values printed on your specific Multi-Reference Solution bottle. Do not use generic or published values — each batch differs.
- Test the reference solution using your home test kit exactly as you would test aquarium water. Record the result.
- Compare your kit's reading to the bottle's certified value for that parameter.
- Calculate your correction factor: divide the certified value by your kit's reading.
- Example: Certified magnesium = 1,315 mg/L. Your kit reads 1,000 mg/L. Correction factor = 1,315 ÷ 1,000 = 1.315.
- Apply the correction factor to future aquarium readings: multiply your kit's aquarium result by the correction factor to get the true value.
- Example: Your kit reads 1,300 mg/L in your aquarium. Corrected value = 1,300 × 1.315 = 1,709.5 mg/L.
- Use the correction factor calculator on this page to perform steps 4 and 5 automatically for calcium, magnesium, and alkalinity.
- Repeat steps 2–6 for each parameter and each test kit you rely on, as accuracy can vary between kits.
- Recheck your kits periodically — kit accuracy can drift over time with storage and temperature exposure.
- To use the Multi-Reference Solution to calibrate your ABC Automated Testing Reagents system, run the solution through your automated system and follow the same correction factor process.