footbag
Active Member
Let me first say that my luck with saltwater has been mediocre, to say the least. Thanks to this board, ove the last year, I have tied up the loose ends(added Fuge, upgraded Skimmer, made better decisions) to the point where I am happy with the way my tank looks. After using Aquarium Pharm filters for over 12 years, I finally decided to test the quality of the water out. I have tested for the basics before(Phosphate,Nitrate, etc...) but upon my recent aquisition of a TDS meter I got an opportunity. The box of these tap water filters implies that they are as good as RO/DI, and frankly they are similarly priced ($ per G)after the initial investment. So I tested the tap water at my house and got a TDS of 63. (Not so bad for tap) Then I tested the filtered water off of the same tap; 99 TDS. The filter is contaminating the water. I always knew that the Aquarium Pharm filters were junk, just never had any evidence.
Now I am doing as many small water changes as I can without shocking the tank.(10g per week on my 90) BTW my Kent Maxxima RO/DI puts out 0 TDS water. It tests out at 0 in the holding tank. When I put it into my mixing bucket, the little bit of residual salt brought it up to 13 TDS.
Just a warning for those filter users.
Now I am doing as many small water changes as I can without shocking the tank.(10g per week on my 90) BTW my Kent Maxxima RO/DI puts out 0 TDS water. It tests out at 0 in the holding tank. When I put it into my mixing bucket, the little bit of residual salt brought it up to 13 TDS.
Just a warning for those filter users.