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i use 2 TDS pens and I have noticed a difference of about 20TDS but they both read 0 on RO water. I just pick my favorite and stick with that, as long as your using the same one every time you will get fairly consistent results. i think the TDS is a combination of me adding friendly BB and evaporation i have tested it an BB im using adds about 15TDS. ive done a water change on the large tank because thats what ive been told to do and im going to do my regular maintenance this weekend and obviously add the old water to the new tank. then test everything again on Sunday. also, if you want something good for your shrimps in your tank that's fairly cheep, look up dragon stone, i just had some arrive and am currently in the process of soaking it to cleaning it. i can upload a picture of the stuff i've got if you like? another Ebay Bargain!

BANG goes that theory then, d'oh! Are 2 of them close if so I would discard the one which is different. Other options would be to get some water tested by an aquarium shop and see which are nearest and discard the other(s). I have also come across this with other tests such as droplet tests from different companies so would do as CurleyJones says, and I now do, pick one and stick with that one (at least you should get a consistent), only problem with this is working out which is most accurate to stick to using. With 3 there must be 2 which are closer than one so I would assume the third is best thrown out, or as I say, take them all to an aquarium shop and get the shop to test one of their tanks and then you use yours to see which is the nearest? I always swoosh mine in the tank about 10 times in case there is some unwanted contaminant on the prongs, rather than just dip it in the tank. Simon

Until you start getting Ammonia readings.

I would get some pure RO water and try them all, any that have a reading of more than a couple can then be thrown away as you don't need 3, especially if some are wrong. I have 2 (1 came with the zerowater) and they are only a few apart but I always just use the one until that breaks. Simon

When I cycle a tank, I find a more controlled way to add ammonia on purpose. For example, Dr Tim's ammonium chloride, or ammonia household cleaner with no added surfactants. What could be significantly slowing down the cycle is the low pH. To check that you have bacterial cycling, u need to add a purposeful amount of ammonia and watch it get converted over into nitrates.

Ok so its been a few days and ive checked my readings after adding bottled BB (the same brand of bottled BB I've ever used so i shouldn't have any problems with bacteria clash?). I removed about half a liter of water but that's really the limit to keep the spounge in the filter covered in water. ive checked my readings:- Small (old) tank TDS - 233 Temp - 22C PH - 7.5 NH4 - Unreadable N03 - 1PPM N02 - 0.05PPM P04 - 0.5PPM dKH - 3 dGH - 6 Large (New) Tank TDS - 244 Temp - 28C PH - 4 NH4 - Unreadable N03 - 1PPM N02 - 0.2PPM P04 - 1PPM dKH - 1 dGH - 7 so yeah the Small tank seems to have almost gotten over 'new tank syndrome' even with its constant population. the shrimp are still breeding and im constantly counting lots of shrimp but now the first batch of shrimp are approaching adult hood its going to start getting difficult to properly count, so i can only give you right now's reading as a last reading of 5 adults and 32 shrimplets of various sizes. Large Tank wise im glad i didnt add Tyrone as he would be having a very hard time with the acidity. i assume that means the first step in the cycling process of my tank is done. @jayc 'Give this a few weeks, and once you see pH drop below 7.0, do a water change with dechlorinated tap water and add a pinch of flake food (or that prawn). This should bring the pH up again, and adds more ammonia food for the BB. Keep testing ammonia, nitrite and nitrates during the course of cycling. When you see ammonia and nitrate at zero with high nitrates, your tank is cycled. At this point you drain the tank of 99% water (making sure the filter media stays wet) and add your RO water remineralised to the required TDS levels. Use this time before adding livestock to adjust pH, GH, KH and TDS.' im off to check the fridge and prepare some water.