TDS Meter opinions

Wieloch89 · Aug 17, 2017

my soft corals are starting to look a little drab, just not fully opened. All other params are good, I'll list them below, but the only other thing that I think would make sense is the TDS and I don't have a way to test it. I haven't replaced my DI resin since bought the RO/DI filter new 6 months ago. I should probably just replace it but I'd like to have a number to look at. What are good meters? What does everyone use?

Temp 77
Sal 1.025
Ph 8.2
Nitrate 0
Nitrite o
Ammonia 0
Calc 440
Alk 9.4
Mag 1340

hybridazn · Aug 17, 2017

Any standard tds meter will be fine. If you don't have one already I recommend getting a dual tds meter so you can monitor tds from input to your rodi and after di

Jason mack · Aug 17, 2017

If your rodi water is not at 0 tds you will see it soon enough in your tank e.g. Algae IME , you haven't listed what your po4 is ( phosfate )....you also say nitrate is 0 and alk is 9.4 .. I'd say your alk is a little too high with no nitrates and I'm guessing your po4 will be probably 0 too so your corals are probably starving ..

nautical_nathaniel · Aug 17, 2017

Here's what my LFS recommends: https://www.amazon.com/HM-Digital-T...TF8&qid=1503000961&sr=8-4&keywords=tds+meters

There's a ton out there though and I know BRS has an inline meter for RODI setups.

nautical_nathaniel · Aug 17, 2017

Here is the BRS inline meter: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/dual-inline-tds-meter-dm-1-hm-digital.html

Wieloch89 · Aug 17, 2017

hybridazn said:
Any standard tds meter will be fine. If you don't have one already I recommend getting a dual tds meter so you can monitor tds from input to your rodi and after di

To measure the TDS of your tap water?

Wieloch89 · Aug 17, 2017

Jason mack said:
If your rodi water is not at 0 tds you will see it soon enough in your tank e.g. Algae IME , you haven't listed what your po4 is ( phosfate )....you also say nitrate is 0 and alk is 9.4 .. I'd say your alk is a little too high with no nitrates and I'm guessing your po4 will be probably 0 too so your corals are probably starving ..

I feed the lps with mouths that you can clearly see them eat and that it benefits them once a week and I feed coral frenzy once or twice a week.

JaimeAdams · Aug 17, 2017

Maybe I missed it, but what test kits are you using?

I would agree that if it is really running ULNS your all should be lower, but really in my opinion better would be to just feed everything more and get a little phosphate and nitrate into your system.

Wieloch89 · Aug 29, 2017

Just installed my dual TDS meter. Getting around 10 before the DI stage and 3 after. These seem like decent numbers to me, what is acceptable? When should the membrane, di resin, carbon, and mesh filter be changed.

Also I increased my feeding to boost nitrates and my corals are looking happy. Thanks in advance

JaimeAdams · Aug 29, 2017

jpreefer · Aug 29, 2017

With softies it's better to run a "dirty" tank, you r nitrates are too low if 0 and phos is bad if truly at 0. How are you testing for phosphates? Hanna ULR?

Wieloch89 · Aug 29, 2017

JaimeAdams said:
0

Zero!? How bad is 10 and 3? Lol

Wieloch89 · Aug 29, 2017

jpreefer said:
With softies it's better to run a "dirty" tank, you r nitrates are too low if 0 and phos is bad if truly at 0. How are you testing for phosphates? Hanna ULR?

Red Sea

Buckeye Hydro · Apr 7, 2018

For the typical RODI in this hobby, you'll want a meter with THREE probes so you know the tds in your 1) feedwater, 2) RO water, and 3) DI water.

If you know 1 and 2, you can calculate your membrane's rejection rate, so you'll know how the membrane is performing.

Russ

fetta · Apr 18, 2018

Buckeye Hydro said:
For the typical RODI in this hobby, you'll want a meter with THREE probes so you know the tds in your 1) feedwater, 2) RO water, and 3) DI water.

If you know 1 and 2, you can calculate your membrane's rejection rate, so you'll know how the membrane is performing.

Russ

Whats the price on 3 line meter?

Buckeye Hydro · Apr 18, 2018

$44.95 is the minimum manufacturers allowed price. If you already have a DM1 or DM2 dual probe meter, then consider a single probe add on: http://www.buckeyehydro.com/sm1-in-line-single-tds-meter/

Reef Jeff · Apr 18, 2018

If your DI resin output is anything over zero its time to replace it. The number 3 is not a low number in the world of water purity for a Reef tank.

Buckeye Hydro · May 22, 2018

nautical_nathaniel said:
Here's what my LFS recommends: https://www.amazon.com/HM-Digital-T...TF8&qid=1503000961&sr=8-4&keywords=tds+meters

Careful here guys. That IS NOT a good choice for a TDS meter for reefers. Why? Because as the lowest cost meter in the HM Digital product line it does not have automatic temperature compensation (ATC). If you are looking for a low-cost handheld meter, we have the TDS3 (with ATC) on sale:
http://www.buckeyehydro.com/tds3-handheld-meter/

Russ

Jonreefer · May 22, 2018

https://www.amazon.com/HM-Digital-T...TF8&qid=1503000961&sr=8-4&keywords=tds+meters
I have 2 of these and calibrate them with solution so when I test my water coming out I get 0 with both I know I am fine. I test my tap going into the unit like once and thats it. All I look at is the final number thats all I care about. Just get the unit from the amazon link and you will be fine.

Buckeye Hydro · May 22, 2018

That IS NOT a good choice for a TDS meter for reefers. Why? Because as the lowest cost meter in the HM Digital product line it does not have automatic temperature compensation (ATC). If you are looking for a low-cost handheld meter, we have the TDS3 (with ATC) on sale:
http://www.buckeyehydro.com/tds3-handheld-meter/