RO/DI confusion......

[Zeal]

Hi I have a 3 stage RODI unit connected to my bathroom sink. Yesterday I got a TDS Meter and decided to test out the numbers on the bucket I was making and it read 25 TDS.

Decided to fill up a glass of water and it showed 0...

I'm guessing maybe something is being leaked into the bucket? Or maybe the bucket itself absorbed salt into the pores, hence the weird numbers...

I use the same couple buckets to make RODI water for top off and to make saltwater...

Not sure what to do...

 

[dragon99]

Probably a little salt residue from before (it doesn't take much). I often rinse out the container I'm filling with the first 1/2 cup or so of RO/DI I make.

 

[Zeal]

Probably a little salt residue from before (it doesn't take much). I often rinse out the container I'm filling with the first 1/2 cup or so of RO/DI I make.

Should I throw this batch out and remake it? Kinds scared to use this water now lol

 

[Deedles]

Should I throw this batch out and remake it? Kinds scared to use this water now lol

If you're confident that it's just salt residue in the bucket, and the bucket has only been used for clean salt water, I'd probably go ahead. I'm sure someone will disagree, though!

 

[Greybeard]

Nah,

If this is a bucket you've used to mix salt water in the past, it's just a bit of salt. 25ppm, not much, at that. I'd guess my barrel would be far worse, and I actually clean my barrel once or twice a year. Many folks _never_ clean their mixing barrel, and do just fine.

Testing TDS on your RO/DI system should be done in a clean container. Many of us use in-line TDS meters these days, so we can quickly check without having to capture a sample.

 

[Zeal]

Nah,

If this is a bucket you've used to mix salt water in the past, it's just a bit of salt. 25ppm, not much, at that. I'd guess my barrel would be far worse, and I actually clean my barrel once or twice a year. Many folks _never_ clean their mixing barrel, and do just fine.

Testing TDS on your RO/DI system should be done in a clean container. Many of us use in-line TDS meters these days, so we can quickly check without having to capture a sample.

Should I rinse out the buckets with the hose outside and let them air Dry? Sometimes sand gets in the buckets and it's s pain to get it out

 

[RobZilla04]

If you're going to rinse the bucket with anything rinse it with fresh new RODI water. You can leave it upside down to air dry. Next time you mix a batch so long as the RODI is yielding 0 TDS you'll be set.

FWIW the buckets I use for water changes only get fresh RODI and salt in them ever. I do not use them for receiving old water from the tank, regular tap water, nor fresh RODI for top off.

 

[Greybeard]

FWIW the buckets I use for water changes only get fresh RODI and salt in them ever. I do not use them for receiving old water from the tank, regular tap water, nor fresh RODI for top off.

I agree. I've seen folks that have a stack of 5g buckets they use for water changes, mix in a few, siphon out into one or two, stack 'em back up. No telling which is which. 5g always seem a bit small, to me...

With the expense of this hobby, I feel as though a bit more of a plan is called for.

I like Rubbermaid buckets. I use a 55g trash barrel, with a lid, to make RO/DI, mix salt, bring up to temp, and store salt water. I have 2 10g white Rubbermaid trash barrels that I use to siphon water into when doing a water change. Usually, I'll do 3 x 10g buckets (30g from a 150g system == 20% water change). Then, I'll pump the tank back to my 'full, with pumps turned off' mark, and start the pumps back up. Generally leaves 5 gallons or so of water in the barrel... I just start the RO/DI and refill, then salt to taste, ready for next time.

Once or twice a year, I'll drag the 55g drum out and wash it out. I don't bother washing the 10g buckets, as they're just used for waste water.

Restaurant supply place has various sizes and colors of Rubbermaid trash buckets at a reasonable price.

https://www.centralrestaurant.com/Round+Trash+Cans-pl413.html

 

[Zeal]

I agree. I've seen folks that have a stack of 5g buckets they use for water changes, mix in a few, siphon out into one or two, stack 'em back up. No telling which is which. 5g always seem a bit small, to me...

With the expense of this hobby, I feel as though a bit more of a plan is called for.

I like Rubbermaid buckets. I use a 55g trash barrel, with a lid, to make RO/DI, mix salt, bring up to temp, and store salt water. I have 2 10g white Rubbermaid trash barrels that I use to siphon water into when doing a water change. Usually, I'll do 3 x 10g buckets (30g from a 150g system == 20% water change). Then, I'll pump the tank back to my 'full, with pumps turned off' mark, and start the pumps back up. Generally leaves 5 gallons or so of water in the barrel... I just start the RO/DI and refill, then salt to taste, ready for next time.

Once or twice a year, I'll drag the 55g drum out and wash it out. I don't bother washing the 10g buckets, as they're just used for waste water.

Restaurant supply place has various sizes and colors of Rubbermaid trash buckets at a reasonable price.

https://www.centralrestaurant.com/Round+Trash+Cans-pl413.html

I live in a condo so I'm limited to using 5G buckets.

Im trying to figure out a solution to deal with these 6 5g buckets...

 

[NY_Caveman]

I live in a condo so I'm limited to using 5G buckets.

Im trying to figure out a solution to deal with these 6 5g buckets...

I always write on the outside of my buckets things like “Old”, “New”, “Saltwater Only” to keep them straight. Also helps the wife know which are not for home cleaning purposes.

 

[rkpetersen]

I have buckets in different colors.

White buckets for siphoning old water and detritus from the DT; it lets me see any yellowing of the water that might be present, and anything siphoned out is also more easily evaluated.

Orange for fresh saltwater. Black for RODI water.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

The TDS reading of dionized water will increase on its own over time. As CO2 dissolves into the water, carbonic acid is formed and will cause a rise in electrical conductivity. Since TDS meters measure electrical conductivity, this presents as an increase in TDS.

Reading the water before it makes it to the RO/DI reservoir will give you the most accurate TDS reading.

 

[Potatohead]

I never test the actual water in my mixing tank because there is always salt in there. I just measure what is coming out of the RODI unit.

 

[Zeal]

I always write on the outside of my buckets things like “Old”, “New”, “Saltwater Only” to keep them straight. Also helps the wife know which are not for home cleaning purposes.

When you mix salt water in your buckets do you rinse then out or just keep using the same bucket only for saltwater?

 

[NY_Caveman]

When you mix salt water in your buckets do you rinse then out or just keep using the same bucket only for saltwater?

I rinse them after with RO/DI. I rinse all water change equipment with RO/DI after use. Pumps, heater, tubes. Perhaps I am a bit anal.

EDIT: but I am only dealing with small amounts of water now in 5 gallons buckets. May be different if one had a large reservoir.

 

[Zeal]

I rinse them after with RO/DI. I rinse all water change equipment with RO/DI after use. Pumps, heater, tubes. Perhaps I am a bit anal.

EDIT: but I am only dealing with small amounts of water now in 5 gallons buckets. May be different if one had a large reservoir.

That's what I do, I'm thinking of dumping out this 5G bucket that read 25 TDS and remaming a new bucket of water and see if the numbers are any different. If they aren't then idk what to do...

 

[RobZilla04]

When you mix salt water in your buckets do you rinse then out or just keep using the same bucket only for saltwater?

No rinse, just same buckets for new salt water only.