The refractometer on eBay will work fine. Distilled water will work also. The solution is best to calibrate IMO. Sorry I wasn't in here earlier I passed out.
Also yea I'm sure the guy at your LFS is correct however you should have the equipment to test your salinity yourself. A hydrometer isn't accurate and why play the game? He's 2 points higher so you should be 2 points lower.
Next week maybe yours is 3 points low his is 1 point, you get my point right?
Accuracy is key. I wouldn't wanna play that game once your corals, inverts are in and you add more fish.
Ok here are my levels today
Yikes
Looks like nitrites are 2 our higher
Nitrate maybe 20?
Ammonia ?
I still don't have the saltwater kit
But last night nitrites were 0 and then I added bio spira
Here it is
should I start mixing water to do a, water change?
Or let it drop on its own
Ammonia is going down and nitrates are coming up
Hey convict, I looked up your stocking list here is what I came up with
2 Occ clowns - peaceful
2 banggai cardinal - semi aggressive
1 six line wrasse - semi aggressive
2 orange spot goby - peaceful
1 arc eye hawkfish - aggressive and eats crabs and shrimp??
1 pistol shrimp
1 harlequin shrimp