TDS reading?

firewill65 · 06/21/2011, 09:24 PM

I'm filling my tank with RO/DI water and when I test it in a cup Its showing a 000. I just tested the display tank water that has base rock and sand...I get a reading of 015. Obviously the sand or rock has minerals leaking into the water but am I going to have algae problems with my reading of 015 or is this very normal?

MandM · 06/21/2011, 09:35 PM

You have salt in the display tank water? If you just put RODI in there, yes, you will get some TDS from the sand/rock but generally, you mix your salt water before adding to the tank.

disc1 · 06/21/2011, 09:48 PM

The tds you are reading is salt from the rock. That is very very different from reading tds in your pure water. Once you put anything into it you expect to see some tds. That's probably not phosphate and nothing to worry about.

firewill65 · 06/22/2011, 04:34 AM

Thanks. No salt was added yet....but this is my first fill and nothing is live so I'll mix the salt in my sump and have my pumps mix it up.

jr_casteel1999 · 06/22/2011, 05:05 AM

just make sure you dont put your tds meter in saltwater. i heard it can ruin it.

crvz · 06/22/2011, 06:52 AM

perfectly normal. your measurement coming right out of the filter is what is important.

snorvich · 06/22/2011, 07:05 AM

What he said /\

06/21/2011, 09:24 PM	#1
firewill65 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida Posts: 746	TDS reading? I'm filling my tank with RO/DI water and when I test it in a cup Its showing a 000. I just tested the display tank water that has base rock and sand...I get a reading of 015. Obviously the sand or rock has minerals leaking into the water but am I going to have algae problems with my reading of 015 or is this very normal?

06/21/2011, 09:35 PM	#2
MandM sick yet brilliant Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,497	You have salt in the display tank water? If you just put RODI in there, yes, you will get some TDS from the sand/rock but generally, you mix your salt water before adding to the tank. __________________ Sheila I was emo when emo wasn't cool If your not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate. Current Tank Info: 120g, 8g

06/21/2011, 09:48 PM	#3
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	The tds you are reading is salt from the rock. That is very very different from reading tds in your pure water. Once you put anything into it you expect to see some tds. That's probably not phosphate and nothing to worry about. __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

06/22/2011, 05:05 AM	#5
jr_casteel1999 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: columbus,ohio Posts: 371	just make sure you dont put your tds meter in saltwater. i heard it can ruin it. __________________ Out of the hobby.......For now. Current Tank Info: ro unit lol

06/22/2011, 06:52 AM	#6
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	perfectly normal. your measurement coming right out of the filter is what is important. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

06/22/2011, 04:34 AM	#4
firewill65 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida Posts: 746	Thanks. No salt was added yet....but this is my first fill and nothing is live so I'll mix the salt in my sump and have my pumps mix it up.

06/22/2011, 07:05 AM	#7
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	What he said /\ __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~