TDS meter reading question

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by Travis, Dec 26, 2007.

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  1. Travis

    Travis Astrea Snail

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    I got a new typhoon 3 RO/DI filter and it came with a TDS meter. My tap water has a reading of 45, I guess thats good? My question is I took a reading on my freshwater tank and it was 610X10, why is this number off the chart?

    Thanks in advance
     
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  3. dragonflylures

    dragonflylures Flamingo Tongue

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    That's really high, hard to say why your tank would be that high. I know my tap water is around 800, my RO water is around 60 and my RO/DI water is less than 10 but we have really bad tap water. The tap water in the neighboring towns is in the 300's to start but why you would have 6100 x 10 doesn't seem right or it's picking up something else.
     
  4. Travis

    Travis Astrea Snail

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    I have a .03 salt level if that helps. I also dont use any carbon. All the water levels are fine.

    PH 8
    amonia 0
    nitrite 0
    nitrate 5
     
  5. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    All a TDS meter does is read the resistance of Millivolts across the probes and at 45 that is high and if you are saying that 610X10 is high thats shows what needed minerals and elements are dissolved into the water as they create more resistance. Salt Calcium strontium stuff like that .. With your tap water that is really bad it could be metals or other unwanted minerals and elements in that water..
     
  6. ziggy222

    ziggy222 Fire Goby

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    my tap waters 534ppm before mixing with salt.tanks 11 months and great.last tank was twice that old.lfs guy says it probably has'nt effected the tank because the solids in my water probably are'nt bad or maybe even good for my corals.no way to tell.i checked my meter against his and its correct.
     
  7. ziggy222

    ziggy222 Fire Goby

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    ok i just got a water analysis on my tap water that i've been using and here is what they found.
    calcium 92ppm
    magnesium 18ppm
    sodium 26ppm

    p.alkalinity 2ppm
    total alkalinity 32ppm
    chloride 65ppm
    sulfate 106ppm
    nitrate 0.99ppm
    nitrite 0.05ppm
    iron 0.014ppm
    total manganese 0.023ppm
    chlorine 0.3-1.2ppm
    total hardness 110ppm as CaCO3
    total hardness 6.4 grains/gal as CaCO3
    fluoride 1.0ppm
    lead <0.001ppm
    specific conductance 369 micromhos/cm
    ph 8.3-8.5
    turbidity 0.05ntu
    color 1 apha units
    total dissolved solids 534 ppm
     
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  9. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    Well I'd get a R/O DI all the metals you see are going into your tank and they vere come out and they are just building up with every drop of water thats evaporated.. Lead Iron are enough to do the job in themselves .. Not to mention the The Chloride and fluoride.
     
  10. ziggy222

    ziggy222 Fire Goby

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    well i may but i've never lost anything.i was wondering if anyones ever had a tank die do to using tap water.i understand the reason not to and have been told to use ro water but i've never heard of a tank dying from tap water yet.so far all i've heard of is algae problems caused by tap water.can someone please show me or tell me about a tank that actually did die from tap water?
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2008
  11. Tangster

    Tangster 3reef Sponsor

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    I have One in N.J right now comes to mind.. he lost his 3 or 4 times in a row. Right nw his tank is on hold..
     
  12. reef_guru

    reef_guru Humpback Whale

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    ive never seen a tank last with tap water, there are to many elements that are not wanted in a reef tank. like tangy said, they build up, ro/di is the way to go.