TDS question

[fisher99]

I got a gallon of water at one of those water machines in front of a grocery store last week.
I checked the TDS and it was 8. Is that too much to use in a reef tank
Thanks for any help.

 

[lapin]

Maybe. You have no way of knowing what that 8 is. It might not be bad stuff or might be bad stuff. You will need to have it tested

 

[Ron Reefman]

IMHO the odds are highly in your favor that the TDS of 8 will be harmless and insignificant in your tank.

Some people with lots of expensive corals and fish need to go crazy with zero TDS to protect a big investment. But if you are just getting started, it's 99.99% chance you'll be just fine.

BTW, I'm in Cape Coral as well (the SW side of town). If you have questions, I'd be happy to help. Either here, by Private Message when you get enough posts or click on my name and send me an email. I've been in the hobby for over 15 years. Oh, and I have a 1000gpd RO/DI that makes zero TDS if you need more water.

 

[AshwinRavi]

If you are just getting into the hobby, like said above, you should be fine and depending on your algae growth you might want to start going one way or another. There are successful tanks on both ends, with 0 and without 0 TDS.

 

[Geebs19]

Ive seen and read that anything under 10 is ok, but again that also depends what that 10 is. I just like to rely on my trusty RODI to outout 0.

 

[fisher99]

IMHO the odds are highly in your favor that the TDS of 8 will be harmless and insignificant in your tank.

Some people with lots of expensive corals and fish need to go crazy with zero TDS to protect a big investment. But if you are just getting started, it's 99.99% chance you'll be just fine.

BTW, I'm in Cape Coral as well (the SW side of town). If you have questions, I'd be happy to help. Either here, by Private Message when you get enough posts or click on my name and send me an email. I've been in the hobby for over 15 years. Oh, and I have a 1000gpd RO/DI that makes zero TDS if you need more water.

 

[fisher99]

Ron
I've been following you on the "other" forum for years and have enjoyed your slant on things.
I would enjoy talking to you about my new build down the road. Thanks for your reply to my question.