TDS readings

[shaggyblz]

I have searched these threads and haven't been able to find a universal number that is acceptable for water to be used in marine aquariums. I know that preferably it should be zero, but I only run a 5 stage RO unit and realistically probably won't get that low of a number. I'm getting ready to order a TDS meter and would like to know what an acceptable number would be. Thanks guys.

 

[braydonosu]

You should get a 0 reading with any RO unit - I have a coralife 4 stage (Ro Membrane, 100 micron, carbon, DI) and I get a 0 reading from an input around 200 TDS

 

[jackri]

I run a 5 stage and input water comes in at 600-800 regularaly.. RO is 20-60 and the DI is 0-8 depending on different testing days and how bad the water coming in is.
I run a full mixed reef no problems.

 

[naclh2o nut]

Depending on how bad your input water is, will let you now how good your output will be. Most RO/DI filters will take out 95%-99% of TDS. So if your input is 200 then you should look for 10 - 2. just like Jacki stated 800 in 8 out. No mater what your output is, it should be alot better then your input.

 

[t316]

The acceptable number is whatever you allow, but once installed, you should be getting 0. As your filters get dirty, you will eventually creep back up to 1, 2, 3, etc. but I usally change the filters around 1 or 2 and get it back to zero.

 

[locoyo386]

Originally Posted by braydonosu
http:///forum/post/2997457
You should get a 0 reading with any RO unit - I have a coralife 4 stage (Ro Membrane, 100 micron, carbon, DI) and I get a 0 reading from an input around 200 TDS

Originally Posted by T316
http:///forum/post/2997652
The acceptable number is whatever you allow, but once installed, you should be getting 0. As your filters get dirty, you will eventually creep back up to 1, 2, 3, etc. but I usally change the filters around 1 or 2 and get it back to zero.
So you guys are saying that there are RO/DI units that filter 100% of TDS on incoming water? WOW! that is amazing.

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/2997673
So you guys are saying that there are RO/DI units that filter 100% of TDS on incoming water? WOW! that is amazing.
I have heard both...that you should get a 0 reading, and also was told "not to expect a 0 reading"
So in your opinion...with a 5 stage RO/DI Filtering system...What is normal??

 

[locoyo386]

Originally Posted by NaClH2O Nut
http:///forum/post/2997630
Depending on how bad your input water is, will let you now how good your output will be. Most RO/DI filters will take out 95%-99% of TDS. So if your input is 200 then you should look for 10 - 2. just like Jacki stated 800 in 8 out. No mater what your output is, it should be alot better then your input.

Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/2997677
I have heard both...that you should get a 0 reading, and also was told "not to expect a 0 reading"
So in your opinion...with a 5 stage RO/DI Filtering system...What is normal?? (I would expect at least 97%-98%.{exp. 200 TDS input => 200*.02= 4 TDS, might be zero depending on the testing eequipment})
As stated above. My opinion is that RO/DI filters give you a percentage of filtration. The most I have seen are around 95% to 97.5%. Some claim as high as 98.9% or 99.9%. With this readings I gues the tested value would be very close to zero and depending on the accuracy of the testing equipment or method it might read zero. BUT I have never seen any one claim 100% filtration on their units nor would I expect to get zero out of every RO/DI unit that is currently being sold. The total filtration depends on the specific unit itself. Do not know if all 4 or 5 stage units have the same percent filtartion capability. If they do than I guess I could assume that value for all units.

 

[pezenfuego]

5 would be my all time max. I can get 0 until my DI dies after about 20-30 gallons. Then I start getting 4. Anyway, don't sweat it if it isn't 0, it will be a heck of a lot better.

 

[meowzer]

Thanks....this is another one of those things..LOL..that answers differ...The way I look at it, if I am getting a reading of 3 compared to 200 or 300..hey it must be pretty good...can't be worse now can it..LOL

 

[locoyo386]

Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/2997686
Thanks....this is another one of those things..LOL..that answers differ...The way I look at it, if I am getting a reading of 3 compared to 200 or 300..hey it must be pretty good...can't be worse now can it..LOL
My opinion is that anything below 10 is fine.

 

[pezenfuego]

Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/2997690
My opinion is that anything below 10 is fine.

The opinion of most. I go with 5 though, I'm just anal like that. Some people will accept nothing more than 0.
But if you ingoing water was full of copper or something, then that 10 ppm could be detrimental to certain animals.
EDIT: What? Shaggyballs? What the heck?!?

 

[meowzer]

You will get truly awesome quality water and very good production rates. An ASOV (automatic shut off valve), the TW301812-75 FilmTec membrane, lots of carbon, and with practically zero maintenance resulting in zero mineral content and zero TDS.
This is what it states on the unit I bought...

All I know is single digits will work for me...

 

[locoyo386]

Originally Posted by PEZenfuego
http:///forum/post/2997695

The opinion of most. I go with 5 though, I'm just anal like that. Some people will accept nothing more than 0.
But if you ingoing water was full of copper or something, then that 10 ppm could be detrimental to certain animals.
EDIT: What? Shaggyballs? What the heck?!?
Well let's see. TDS is the total disolved solids in parts per million of total volume of water. At 10 ppm, you are saying that the total bad and good stuff in the water add to 10 ppm of volume of water. The total copper in the water is not 10 ppm, but is only part of that number. To figure out that number you have to check with local water office and see how much percentage of sopper is in the tap water being filtered. Than figure out how much it is in mg/L and compare it to how much copper is used when treatin for ich(some people have it running constanlty in the tank). If it is way more than that than I would conclude that it could possibly be detrimental for marine life.

 

[pezenfuego]

Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/2997707
Well let's see. TDS is the total disolved solids in parts per million of total volume of water. At 10 ppm, you are saying that the total bad and good stuff in the water add to 10 ppm of volume of water. The total copper in the water is not 10 ppm, but is only part of that number. To figure out that number you have to check with local water office and see how much percentage of sopper is in the tap water being filtered. Than figure out how much it is in mg/L and compare it to how much copper is used when treatin for ich(some people have it running constanlty in the tank). If it is way more than that than I would conclude that it is possible detrimental for marine life.
I wasn't saying that the 10ppm could be purely copper, it certainly would not be. If your water WAS full of copper, then a small portion of that could be detrimental to some of the less hardy inverts.
Don't put words in my mouth.

 

[t316]

Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/2997673
So you guys are saying that there are RO/DI units that filter 100% of TDS on incoming water? WOW! that is amazing.
Yes, I'm telling you that my TDS meter reads "0" (ZERO), until it gets dirty, then I change the filters...

 

[locoyo386]

Originally Posted by T316
http:///forum/post/2997769
Yes, I'm telling you that my TDS meter reads "0" (ZERO), until it gets dirty, then I change the filters...

Awsome, what brand is it? Is it a 5 stage aswell? How often does it get dirty to where you have to change the filter media?

 

[shaggyblz]

The opinion of most. I go with 5 though, I'm just anal like that. Some people will accept nothing more than 0.
But if you ingoing water was full of copper or something, then that 10 ppm could be detrimental to certain animals.
EDIT: What? Shaggyballs? What the heck?!?[/QUOTE]

 

[t316]

Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/2997789
Awsome, what brand is it? Is it a 5 stage aswell? How often does it get dirty to where you have to change the filter media?
The RODI unit is a 5-stage, Ocean Reef +1, dual TDS meter, 75 gpd, with the color changing DI resin, from the Filter Guys ($199 complete). I have had TDS readings of "0" since day one. It usually takes about 6 months before I start registering "1", then "2". And I change out about 25 gals. of water a week on water changes, and 2-4 gals. a day on topoff due to evaporation, so it's working it's tail off.
I will admit that I have a house filter on my incoming water line from the well. This is before it gets to the RODI, so my incoming TDS is around 50-60, compared to some of you reporting incoming of 200 - 800, so I do have an advantage on you guys. But this house filter is nothing special, just filters out debris and sand. But if this "pre-filter...ie: house filter" is getting me down to 50-60 before it ever hits the RODI, maybe some of you should check into this.

 

[culp]

Originally Posted by T316
http:///forum/post/2998073
The RODI unit is a 5-stage, Ocean Reef +1, dual TDS meter, 75 gpd, with the color changing DI resin, from the Filter Guys ($199 complete). I have had TDS readings of "0" since day one. It usually takes about 6 months before I start registering "1", then "2". And I change out about 25 gals. of water a week on water changes, and 2-4 gals. a day on topoff due to evaporation, so it's working it's tail off.
I will admit that I have a house filter on my incoming water line from the well. This is before it gets to the RODI, so my incoming TDS is around 50-60, compared to some of you reporting incoming of 200 - 800, so I do have an advantage on you guys. But this house filter is nothing special, just filters out debris and sand. But if this "pre-filter...ie: house filter" is getting me down to 50-60 before it ever hits the RODI, maybe some of you should check into this.
i have a 1/3 gallon of evaporation a day and i think its a pain in the ***