Cycling and TDS question

[nurjrk]

My tank has been cycling now for about a week and half. I used dry sand and dry base rock. I put two pieces of LR in from an established tank for the cycle. I used RO/DI water and the TDS were at "0". I just checked the tank and the TDS meeter says ----. Does that mean that the TDS are off the chart, or is this just part of the cycle?
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[fishpoop]

They are off the chart. Saltwater always is cause of all the dissolved solids (salt) in it.

 

[nurjrk]

So...just a part of the cycle then?

 

[nanojg]

Salt water will always have lots of tds...salt is a dissolved solid so is calcium, magnesium, etc

 

[nurjrk]

So, it's normal then. Thanks for your help.

 

[disc1]

Yes, your salt water is 35ppt salts dissolved in it. Solid salts that were dissolved in the water. That salt counts towards your total dissolved solids.

So any salt water you make up had better be about 35,000ppm TDS. Which is WAY off the charts for a TDS meter.

Nothing to do with the cycle, it has to do with the salt you added. TDS is a measure for pure water.

 

[nurjrk]

Thanks disc1, totally makes sense.