TDS Meter, Anyone? : )

EmilyXLC · Aug 8, 2012

Hi guys!

I suppose in order to see if my new RO unit is good to go, I need to test the water with a TDS meter. I'd like to do it within the next few days, so ordering one isn't in the stars. Is there anywhere near me (or anyone who could meet up with me) with a meter to test my water?

I called The Aquarium Shop, but they said all they test for is just Nitrates, Nitrites, etc... I'm getting discouraged, here. All I want is to set this dumb thing up!

Thanks in advance! I'm going to put a TDS meter on my ever-growing list of things I need to buy within the next month or so.

Kbra · Aug 8, 2012

Have you ran it yet? Before you test it you're going to need to run 15-20 gallons through it before you get clean water

MBG75 · Aug 8, 2012

Some walmarts carry them
In the RV section. Called water purity tester.

Loki · Aug 8, 2012

Your LFS doesn't have a TDS meter?!? That is concerning... Hopefully you are able to get one soon. I have one but I'm not local. Also as stated above its best to run it for several gallons before you use it.

EmilyXLC · Aug 8, 2012

MBG75 said:
Some walmarts carry them
In the RV section. Called water purity tester.

THAT is good to know. I didn't know it was something I could buy locally!

Also, thanks for letting me know that I need to run it a bit first! That makes a lot of sense; I'm not really sure why I didn't think about that...

Again, I don't know what I would do without you guys! Thank you!

Dave3112 · Aug 8, 2012

Where in Huntsville are you located? Do you ever come out to Athens? I have one you can borrow. I put one inline with my unit too. So I don't use that the other one very often.

EmilyXLC · Aug 8, 2012

I am WAY out there... Like, you take 565 forever. I believe I'm close to New Market. I never really come to Athens but I do go to Madison from time to time. Do you ever head that way?

Tomoko Schum · Aug 8, 2012

I am in Madison. You can stop by if you are coming to Madison soon.

WillKatt · Aug 8, 2012

Loki2902 said:
Your LFS doesn't have a TDS meter?!? That is concerning...

I was thinking the same. Hopefully they are not selling RO water that they cant say for sure is suitable for reef use.

8BALL_99 · Aug 8, 2012

I just tossed one in the trash a few days ago cause it was a few years old and looking rough.. Guess I should have put it up here on the free list. If you can't find one local Ebay use to have them on there pretty cheap. One I use now I bought from the filter guys

Dave3112 · Aug 8, 2012

I work on the Arsenal so I come to Huntsville quite often (I travel a lot but I'm home for a while now). I get off work at 2-2:30 so I could meet you somewhere I you wanted. It's up to you.

We don't really have a brick and mortar LFS anymore around here for the folks that are asking. We do have one but they are mainly fresh water and they don't to my knowledge sell RODI.

EmilyXLC · Aug 9, 2012

Yeah! Normally Tuesdays & Thursdays are good for me around those times. I'll let you know once I get it hooked up & let it run for a bit. When we meet up, how much water should I bring?

markkazdad · Aug 9, 2012

EmilyXLC said:
I called The Aquarium Shop, but they said all they test for is just Nitrates, Nitrites, etc... I'm getting discouraged, here. All I want is to set this dumb thing up!

I think if they tested anything else, the results might come back off-scale brown. Maybe I'm just spoiled by online saltwater tank photography.

Dave3112 · Aug 9, 2012

You don't have to bring any water. I am going to let you take the meter home and you can use it for a while and just bring it back at the next NARC meeting

EmilyXLC · Aug 9, 2012

markkazdad said:
I think if they tested anything else, the results might come back off-scale brown. Maybe I'm just spoiled by online saltwater tank photography.

Baahaaa! Right?! I'm spoiled by Coral Reef Aquatics. So far everything else I've seen (even in Maryland) is subpar.

Dave3112 said:
You don't have to bring any water. I am going to let you take the meter home and you can use it for a while and just bring it back at the next NARC meeting

Awww! Bless your heart! Thank you so much; I really appreciate it. I promise to take super good care of it! : )

firefightered · Aug 9, 2012

I also work on the Arsenal and my have a TDS meter you can have. I won't be home until sat and I'll look for it. If I find it it's yours.

EmilyXLC · Aug 9, 2012

Awwwwwww yeah! Man, I'm lucking out with the free stuff these days. Let me know if you find it! I'd LOVE to take it off your hands.

Tomoko Schum · Aug 9, 2012

You should calibrate your TDS meter periodically. I have both inline and hand held meters. When the values start to diviate from each other, I recalibrate my meters using an inexpensive calibration solution which BRS or other online places sell. You can make your own calibration solution , but it makes a huge amount for a small amount you need. It's a bit of pain to reduce the volume down to more manageable amount since you will need an accurate electronic balance.

markkazdad · Aug 9, 2012

I work on the Arsenal too. Next Tuesday - Friday I will be getting off around 3:30pm. Sounds like there might be enough for a NARC sub-chapter. :bigsmile:

firefightered · Aug 9, 2012

Sounds great!!!! I'm at fire station #1 Rideout Rd. Come see me some time.

markkazdad said:
I work on the Arsenal too. Next Tuesday - Friday I will be getting off around 3:30pm. Sounds like there might be enough for a NARC sub-chapter. :bigsmile: