Tds

insane_reef_keeper · Apr 6, 2011

Ok so I've been having a hair algae issue, I bought a TDS meter today so I could test my water(I have well water). Well the TDS meter read 0.47ppm in the water. RO/DI water is 0ppm to 0.50ppm
Nothing is wrong with my water all of my parameters are all most perfect.
So I have no idea what the hell is going on. Should I just pull the rock and scrub it or what?

db366 · Apr 6, 2011

Well too much light, too much feeding or a combination of each.

lilrobb · Apr 6, 2011

insane_reef_keeper;633442 wrote: Ok so I've been having a hair algae issue, I bought a TDS meter today so I could test my water(I have well water). Well the TDS meter read 0.47ppm in the water. RO/DI water is 0ppm to 0.50ppm
Nothing is wrong with my water all of my parameters are all most perfect.
So I have no idea what the hell is going on. Should I just pull the rock and scrub it or what?

You must have an awesome TDS meter - mine just reads in full ppm...

ralph atl · Apr 6, 2011

here's my copy and paste from the last 1000 times someone had the same question:

You must export the same or more nutrients than you put in. Overfeeding, tap water, high phosphate foods, etc. 
 
 
Phosphate reduction/ removal and high trates could be the answer. Wet skimming with a skimmer that is rated at least double your water volume. If you cannot get a fuge or sump (you can maybe make a "Rubbermaid sump with cheato in it for a few bucks) you can get a $35.00 hang on phosphate reactor for your tank and put some GFO in there. In the future, you'll most likely need a refugium with Macro algae. 
 
 
If you choose GFO, you’ll need to start VERY SLOWLY! Use 25% of the recommended media, slowly increasing every week. You need to acclimate your tank inhabitants over at least a 2 month period especially is you have any stony corals. Once acclimated you’ll need to change your Iron based media in the phosphate reactor more often. Your media will get saturated within 2 weeks or so depending upon how much is bound up in your rocks, tank, algae, etc. Use less media, change every 2 weeks. Use a great test kit like DD Merck, Hack, or colormeter. If you already have a fuge & reactor, be aggressive & change the media every 2 weeks.
 
 
 
When you do your water change, take the end of the hose and suck all the algae down like a vacuum. It'll take a few water changes, but it works (especially after the phosphate remover kicks in)
 
Use a phosphate reactor with some GFO, and something to lower nitrates like a fuge, Vodka, VSV, Solid Vodka Pellets (bio-pellets) or other carbon source. 
 
 
check out:
 
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php</a>
 
[IMG]http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php</a>
 
[IMG]http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2003/chem.htm">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2003/chem.htm</a>
 
 
[IMG]http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php</a>
 
[IMG]http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/eb/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/eb/index.php</a>
 
[IMG]http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm</a>
 
[IMG]http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1349443">http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1349443</a>
 
 
[IMG]http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2002/chem.htm">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2002/chem.htm</a>
 
 
 
VSV:
[IMG]http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...nftt/index.php</a>

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1225324">http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1225324</a>
 
 
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22849&highlight=vodka">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forum...ighlight=vodka</a>

insane_reef_keeper · Apr 6, 2011

LilRobb;633450 wrote: You must have an awesome TDS meter - mine just reads in full ppm...

I don't know if it's awesome or not. It's some cheap thing I got at walmart.

ichthyoid · Apr 6, 2011

insane_reef_keeper;633442 wrote: Ok so I've been having a hair algae issue, I bought a TDS meter today so I could test my water(I have well water). Well the TDS meter read 0.47ppm in the water. RO/DI water is 0ppm to 0.50ppm
Nothing is wrong with my water all of my parameters are all most perfect.
So I have no idea what the hell is going on. Should I just pull the rock and scrub it or what?

The 0.00 to 0.50 for after the RODI, I can believe.

As for the 0.47ppm from a well...well, are you really sure about that?

FWIW- Most people that I know who have a well see TDS readings around 200+ from their well water.

insane_reef_keeper · Apr 6, 2011

ichthyoid;633529 wrote: The 0.00 to 0.50 for after the RODI, I can believe.

As for the 0.47ppm from a well...well, are you really sure about that?

FWIW- Most people that I know who have a well see TDS readings around 200+ from their well water.

That's what it says, I'll recheck it.

lilrobb · Apr 6, 2011

Are you sure this is not ppt??
I googled and couldn't find any TDS meter that reads 2 comma digits accurately

cr500_af · Apr 6, 2011

It's not .47 ppm, it's 47 ppm. And I will bet you anything that you won't get 47ppm out of a well. Mine (drilled well, not bored... also lab tested with excellent numbers) tests at over 200ppm usually and has never been better than 110.

insane_reef_keeper · Apr 6, 2011

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this is what it says now. Am I reading it wrong?

Edit:

LilRobb;633532 wrote: Are you sure this is not ppt??
I googled and couldn't find any TDS meter that reads 2 comma digits accurately

This is the first time I've ever laid eyes on one, I may be reading it wrong or something.

lilrobb · Apr 6, 2011

Yeah,

There is no comma between the digits... This is 82 ppm

insane_reef_keeper · Apr 6, 2011

So how bad is 82ppm? Should I invest in a RO/DI?

cr500_af · Apr 6, 2011

insane_reef_keeper;633541 wrote: So how bad is 82ppm? Should I invest in a RO/DI?

Yes, you should.... everybody should. As to how bad 82 is? It depends on what those 82 parts ARE. That will only be told by a lab report.

lilrobb · Apr 6, 2011

82ppm is low for a well - but I could almost guarantee that these 82ppm are 90% silicates that feed your algae like candy...

insane_reef_keeper · Apr 6, 2011

Thanks Robb and cr500 (I can't remember your actual name).

buddyro · Apr 6, 2011

insane_reef_keeper;633541 wrote: So how bad is 82ppm? Should I invest in a RO/DI?

82ppm is not bad for tap house water... But you want 0ppm when it comes to your Tank... So, +1 RO/DI unit, well worth it.

insane_reef_keeper · Apr 6, 2011

Let me retract my last thanks and state this. Thank you everyone any and all advice is much appreciated!

smallblock · Apr 6, 2011

I would buy the bulk reef supply 75 gallon per day plus unit. Go with the plus. Really solid unit and well priced.

ichthyoid · Apr 6, 2011

Your TDS is low enough that you may want to consider using DI without the RO. RO or Reverse Osmosis serves to 'pre-clean' the water before it goes through the DI filter. This is done to help the DI resin last longer. With your TDS at 82, you are low enough that DI alone will get the job done and last a while doing it. RO/DI works better for higher TDS water sources. It is also VERY inefficient, only about 30-40% of the incoming water is treated. The rest 'goes down the drain'.
-JMHO

Tds

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db366

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ralph atl

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ichthyoid

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insane_reef_keeper

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