TDS/ Mixing Salt

[ScottyD36]

So Tonight I made my first batch of salt with my 4 stage Rodi system. My TDS meter read 35. I know the ideal number is zero. But my question is this. Will my TDS reading 35 have any adverse effects on my tank or is it completely fine.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

You can only test for tds on fresh water that's right out of your rodi. Once you add salt tds doesn't matter anymore

 

[Greg P]

If you mean your RODI was 35, I'll say it's not working correctly
And for that amount, you have no idea what the 35 is. Are you adding something harmless, or a bunch of copper and arsenic ...

 

[ScottyD36]

If you mean your RODI was 35, I'll say it's not working correctly
And for that amount, you have no idea what the 35 is. Are you adding something harmless, or a bunch of copper and arsenic ...

I have well water. Without the Rodi system the number is very high

 

[Paul31733]

I have well water. Without the Rodi system the number is very high

I am on well water. Before my rodi I am 220ppm but mine comes out to 0. If you are not getting 0 I would suggest adding to your filtration.

 

[Emptyness]

I have well water. Without the Rodi system the number is very high

Then you need more "stages" for your RODI system. You don't know what those 35 exactly are and what they will do to your life stock, especially in the long run.

You should let the water run through your RODI system at least a couple of hours in order to clean impurities from the filters/membrane. After that you can start with the measurements.

Or maybe your TDS meter is not accurate? Did you check with some distilled water and/or RODI water from your LFS to see if it shows 0?

Until you know more, I would stick with buying RODI water from the LFS or distilled water to mix with your salt.

 

[ScottyD36]

I am on well water. Before my rodi I am 220ppm but mine comes out to 0. If you are not getting 0 I would suggest adding to your filtration.

Yea. I think this may be my next step.

 

[ScottyD36]

So I went with a very basic monitoring system to see what is going on. I took a empty one gallon jug and filled it with RODI water and it is reading zero. Once the jug fills up I dump it into the brute can then test again. I am at a complete loss why my system or tds was reading so high last night. I will just keep monitoring it. Thanks everyone for the help and ideas.

 

[stanlalee]

If your "first batch" read 35 and now your at zero sounds like the first batch was produced before the membrane had been sufficiently flushed. Initially the carbon/sediment filters should be flushed first without the membrane or di installed (this won't cause high tds but prevent premature membrane clogging from carbon dust), then the membrane installed without the di and run for at least an hour to flush out the manufacturing preservatives as mentioned. If this step is not completed or incomplete you'll get tds until it's flushed itself sufficiently and probably wasted some di capacity processing that initial water. If you flushed the membrane then maybe the tds meter was acting up.

 

[ScottyD36]

If your "first batch" read 35 and now your at zero sounds like the first batch was produced before the membrane had been sufficiently flushed. Initially the carbon/sediment filters should be flushed first without the membrane or di installed (this won't cause high tds but prevent premature membrane clogging from carbon dust), then the membrane installed without the di and run for at least an hour to flush out the manufacturing preservatives as mentioned. If this step is not completed or incomplete you'll get tds until it's flushed itself sufficiently and probably wasted some di capacity processing that initial water. If you flushed the membrane then maybe the tds meter was acting up.

Yeah I’ve used it before in the past for my freshwater tank where I’ve gotten 0TDS I wonder if it’s because I let it sit for about three months before I used it again That there was a slight break in period again

 

[mijan]

Your 3 month hiatus is most likely the reason why. I always run my RODI unit for about 10 minutes before each use to flush everything out.