TDS RO-saltwater?

cabrego · 08/08/2008, 05:53 PM

Hey all,

I was wondering what the TDS for freshly mixed RO-PH-saltwater typically is. I know it will depend on salinity, brand of salt, etc.

I am just looking for a range. I recently switched to RO water, the water I was using before had questionable filtration, so I am trying to figure out where I am at in terms of water quality in this tank. I have changed out at least 50% with good quality RO.

Current TDS in the tank is around 65.

Thanks,

Toddrtrex · 08/08/2008, 05:56 PM

You can't really test salt water for TDS -- it will never give you an accurate reading.

TDS readings are used to test fresh water.
Test your tap water -- to get a baseline
Test the water after your RO membrane -- to make sure it is removing the proper %.
Test the water after your DI resin, should be at 0.

cabrego · 08/08/2008, 05:59 PM

Yes I understand how to use a TDS meter, I am just thinking that the RO-saltwater mix would have a certain about of TDS.

If you made tap-saltwater you would have a TDS that is higher due to the TDS of the tap.

So I am just curious if I can determine when I have hopefully negated the effects of my questionable water I was using before.

Fresh RO/di is 0 on my system.

Toddrtrex · 08/08/2008, 06:03 PM

A TDS meter simply won't work if you test it with saltwater. The readings will be off the scale and most likely will read " --- "

cabrego · 08/08/2008, 06:16 PM

Tooddrtrex, I am telling you that I do register around 65 ppm.

Toddrtrex · 08/08/2008, 06:18 PM

With freshly made up saltwater?

Then I would suggest calibrating your TDS meter, this is the first time I have read/seen getting a reading with a TDS meter in saltwater.

cabrego · 08/08/2008, 06:22 PM

The test was conducted in my 26g SW tank.

It is a brand new meter, I have a TDS of 190 from the tap, 0 after the di.

Bottled water is 14.

I have not tested fresh ro-saltwater yet.

cabrego · 08/09/2008, 03:49 PM

TTT

AZDesertRat · 08/09/2008, 04:03 PM

Most TDS meters read up to 999 and some meters have a high range which will read up to 10,000 by tens. Fresh saltwater is over 32,000 TDS so a TDS meter will not work. Don't know what you are registering but its not accurate and is not good on your meter. Make sure to rinse the heck out of it with DI water to remove any accumulated junk from the saltwater or the probe will be inaccurate.

08/08/2008, 05:53 PM	#1
cabrego Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McAllen,TX Posts: 720	TDS RO-saltwater? Hey all, I was wondering what the TDS for freshly mixed RO-PH-saltwater typically is. I know it will depend on salinity, brand of salt, etc. I am just looking for a range. I recently switched to RO water, the water I was using before had questionable filtration, so I am trying to figure out where I am at in terms of water quality in this tank. I have changed out at least 50% with good quality RO. Current TDS in the tank is around 65. Thanks,

08/08/2008, 05:56 PM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	You can't really test salt water for TDS -- it will never give you an accurate reading. TDS readings are used to test fresh water. Test your tap water -- to get a baseline Test the water after your RO membrane -- to make sure it is removing the proper %. Test the water after your DI resin, should be at 0. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

08/08/2008, 06:03 PM	#4
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	A TDS meter simply won't work if you test it with saltwater. The readings will be off the scale and most likely will read " --- " __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

08/08/2008, 06:18 PM	#6
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	With freshly made up saltwater? Then I would suggest calibrating your TDS meter, this is the first time I have read/seen getting a reading with a TDS meter in saltwater. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

08/09/2008, 03:49 PM	#8
cabrego Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McAllen,TX Posts: 720	TTT TTT

08/08/2008, 05:59 PM	#3
cabrego Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McAllen,TX Posts: 720	Yes I understand how to use a TDS meter, I am just thinking that the RO-saltwater mix would have a certain about of TDS. If you made tap-saltwater you would have a TDS that is higher due to the TDS of the tap. So I am just curious if I can determine when I have hopefully negated the effects of my questionable water I was using before. Fresh RO/di is 0 on my system.

08/08/2008, 06:16 PM	#5
cabrego Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McAllen,TX Posts: 720	Tooddrtrex, I am telling you that I do register around 65 ppm.

08/08/2008, 06:22 PM	#7
cabrego Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McAllen,TX Posts: 720	The test was conducted in my 26g SW tank. It is a brand new meter, I have a TDS of 190 from the tap, 0 after the di. Bottled water is 14. I have not tested fresh ro-saltwater yet.

08/09/2008, 04:03 PM	#9
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Most TDS meters read up to 999 and some meters have a high range which will read up to 10,000 by tens. Fresh saltwater is over 32,000 TDS so a TDS meter will not work. Don't know what you are registering but its not accurate and is not good on your meter. Make sure to rinse the heck out of it with DI water to remove any accumulated junk from the saltwater or the probe will be inaccurate.