Buffering advise needed...TIA

hermitage · 03/29/2006, 10:24 AM

Hi All

I could use some help here, and would really appreciate your responses.

My questions is regarding buffering top off water. The TDS reading on my product water from my RODI is at 0. After adding 2 teaspoons of Baking soda, and aerating for 24 hours..the TDS shoots to 221.

Will their be adverse effects on my tank if I use the water? such as algae blooms?

Is this normal?

and is there an easy way to buffer RODI water without seeing increases in TDS?

Thanks all for your reply.

Wayne

OnTheReef · 03/29/2006, 11:30 AM

Hermitage,

TDS is a measure of *all* the ions in the water. We want our RO/DI output to measure zero because that's an easy way to know that all the ions we don't want (Fe++, PO4--, etc) are gone. Once we start adding things like salt mix and buffers to this roughly 99.997% pure water, the TDS will be very significant. Test the TDS of your tank, it's probably off the scale of the meter you use to test your RO/DI water. So the answer to your question is no and it's ok.

03/29/2006, 10:24 AM	#1
hermitage Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CT Posts: 307	Buffering advise needed...TIA Hi All I could use some help here, and would really appreciate your responses. My questions is regarding buffering top off water. The TDS reading on my product water from my RODI is at 0. After adding 2 teaspoons of Baking soda, and aerating for 24 hours..the TDS shoots to 221. Will their be adverse effects on my tank if I use the water? such as algae blooms? Is this normal? and is there an easy way to buffer RODI water without seeing increases in TDS? Thanks all for your reply. Wayne

03/29/2006, 11:30 AM	#2
OnTheReef Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 340	Hermitage, TDS is a measure of all the ions in the water. We want our RO/DI output to measure zero because that's an easy way to know that all the ions we don't want (Fe++, PO4--, etc) are gone. Once we start adding things like salt mix and buffers to this roughly 99.997% pure water, the TDS will be very significant. Test the TDS of your tank, it's probably off the scale of the meter you use to test your RO/DI water. So the answer to your question is no and it's ok. __________________ 100 gallon reef tank, 40 gallon sump/fuge combo with RDSB 2x ASM G2 with gate valve mod TLF phos reactor w/Rowaphos, Seachem Nitrate sponge 4x55w 50/50 actinic PC Current USA 0 amm, 0 nitrite, 0 n Current Tank Info: 50 & 100 gallon reef tanks