Intro & TDS question

blureef · 12/08/2009, 11:31 AM

I'm posting as new to the hobby but I do have some experience. Years ago had a 55 g with crushed coral & ug filter. I ditched the ugf when I moved in favor of live rock & sump for a FOWLR setup that was decent. Had to give the setup to my nephew when I moved west so its been a few years since I've had a tank. There is a ton of new info available now, almost too much!

I'll be starting a 65g FOWLR soon & will start a reef tank after I feel the FOWLR is doing well. The plan is to drill the 65g for a coast-to-coast and beananimal type overflow. I have room under the stand for approx 30g sump. Looking at an Octopus NWB100 or 150.

My question is about the need for an RODI filter. I sent a sample of my water to Air,Water, Ice and they tested it for TDS for free. They said it tested at 0 TDS. I'm on a well that has a pretty good house-system filter. So does that mean I dont need an RODI filter? Or does this test not pick up silcates & phospates?

Thanks!

SkarfPa · 12/08/2009, 11:52 AM

sounds like your house filter is doing its job I would propably get a tds meter that way you will know when your filters need to be changed

bertoni · 12/08/2009, 04:44 PM

I don't believe the zero TDS reading just yet. What kind of whole-house filter is this? There are some whole-house RO units, but I'd still expect some TDS. Does the house have metal or plastic piping? Metal piping, especially copper, can be an issue.

lordofthereef · 12/08/2009, 05:40 PM

As inexpensive as a TDS meter is, I would just buy one and test myself. I guess it is possible you truly have 0 TDS in which case you are a lucky fellow. I do not think that house water filters generally do give you 0 TDS though especially since most people need a DI on top of their RO to plish the last little bit out of the water.

Buckeye Hydro · 12/08/2009, 06:57 PM

0 tds from your home's tap? I don't think so. Something is wrong...

Russ

silverstool · 12/08/2009, 10:52 PM

i agree. get the tds meter, and plan for an ro/di unit to be safe.

lordofthereef · 12/09/2009, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeFS

0 tds from your home's tap? I don't think so. Something is wrong...

Russ

It IS from a well with a house system filter. Really depends on what the filter is and how clean the water going in is. In any case, it doesn't sound like it is directly from the tap.

Buckeye Hydro · 12/09/2009, 04:23 AM

It is very, very unlikey that any system designed to provide potable water in a residential setting would produce 0 tds water. So unlikely that I suspect something else is going on, like a bad tds meter, a mix up in the samples, etc. Remember that 0 tds water is expensive to make and is aggressive - surely nothing you'd want to be routing through metal faucets and drinking.

Russ

terri_ann · 12/09/2009, 05:16 AM

I agree with Russ and Jonathan...something sounds amiss. Your well water must be supplied by the best aquafer as well as having the best whole-house water filter anywhere! I can't believe that something that has leached in to your water isn't getting through your filtering..sorry, just isn't going to happen IMHO.

blureef · 12/11/2009, 09:25 PM

Thanks all, it does sound too good to be true so my first purchase will be a TDS meter to see for myself. I do think the water is pretty clean, I think the well is spring fed. The filter is two 5ft unmarked cylinders attached to a Wellxtrol RO filter. There is some copper plumbing but most is PVC. I'll let you know when I get the meter. Thanks again, I was tempted to just go ahead and add some salt but will wait now.

blureef · 12/31/2009, 04:33 PM

OK, got the TDS meter today, came up 84ppm so time to get an RODI system. I don't think I will be buying from the company that said it tested at 0ppm.

Thank you all for the responses & advice.

12/08/2009, 11:31 AM	#1
blureef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Culpeper Virginia Posts: 13	Intro & TDS question I'm posting as new to the hobby but I do have some experience. Years ago had a 55 g with crushed coral & ug filter. I ditched the ugf when I moved in favor of live rock & sump for a FOWLR setup that was decent. Had to give the setup to my nephew when I moved west so its been a few years since I've had a tank. There is a ton of new info available now, almost too much! I'll be starting a 65g FOWLR soon & will start a reef tank after I feel the FOWLR is doing well. The plan is to drill the 65g for a coast-to-coast and beananimal type overflow. I have room under the stand for approx 30g sump. Looking at an Octopus NWB100 or 150. My question is about the need for an RODI filter. I sent a sample of my water to Air,Water, Ice and they tested it for TDS for free. They said it tested at 0 TDS. I'm on a well that has a pretty good house-system filter. So does that mean I dont need an RODI filter? Or does this test not pick up silcates & phospates? Thanks!

12/08/2009, 04:44 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I don't believe the zero TDS reading just yet. What kind of whole-house filter is this? There are some whole-house RO units, but I'd still expect some TDS. Does the house have metal or plastic piping? Metal piping, especially copper, can be an issue. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/08/2009, 05:40 PM	#4
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	As inexpensive as a TDS meter is, I would just buy one and test myself. I guess it is possible you truly have 0 TDS in which case you are a lucky fellow. I do not think that house water filters generally do give you 0 TDS though especially since most people need a DI on top of their RO to plish the last little bit out of the water. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

12/09/2009, 05:16 AM	#9
terri_ann Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 841	I agree with Russ and Jonathan...something sounds amiss. Your well water must be supplied by the best aquafer as well as having the best whole-house water filter anywhere! I can't believe that something that has leached in to your water isn't getting through your filtering..sorry, just isn't going to happen IMHO. __________________ Happy Reefing!! :) Current Tank Info: 180g mixed 40B Anemone 5' raceway frag tank

12/08/2009, 11:52 AM	#2
SkarfPa Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: McAdoo,Pa Posts: 62	sounds like your house filter is doing its job I would propably get a tds meter that way you will know when your filters need to be changed

12/08/2009, 06:57 PM	#5
Buckeye Hydro .Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 4,857	0 tds from your home's tap? I don't think so. Something is wrong... Russ

12/08/2009, 10:52 PM	#6
silverstool Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: windsor, on Posts: 52	i agree. get the tds meter, and plan for an ro/di unit to be safe.

12/09/2009, 04:23 AM	#8
Buckeye Hydro .Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 4,857	It is very, very unlikey that any system designed to provide potable water in a residential setting would produce 0 tds water. So unlikely that I suspect something else is going on, like a bad tds meter, a mix up in the samples, etc. Remember that 0 tds water is expensive to make and is aggressive - surely nothing you'd want to be routing through metal faucets and drinking. Russ

12/11/2009, 09:25 PM	#10
blureef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Culpeper Virginia Posts: 13	Thanks all, it does sound too good to be true so my first purchase will be a TDS meter to see for myself. I do think the water is pretty clean, I think the well is spring fed. The filter is two 5ft unmarked cylinders attached to a Wellxtrol RO filter. There is some copper plumbing but most is PVC. I'll let you know when I get the meter. Thanks again, I was tempted to just go ahead and add some salt but will wait now.

12/31/2009, 04:33 PM	#11
blureef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Culpeper Virginia Posts: 13	OK, got the TDS meter today, came up 84ppm so time to get an RODI system. I don't think I will be buying from the company that said it tested at 0ppm. Thank you all for the responses & advice.