Kold-Steril & TDS question

[Charlie's Angel]

Well, I got my hands on a TDS meter and it read 175ppm after the kold-steril. My tap read at about 165. Did about three tests of each and came up with these numbers. Looks like I will be replacing the kold-steril or adding DI to the kold-steril system. How bad is a TDS of that high for a reef tank? My coral seem to be doing fine.

Also, any plumbers out there that can help with the setup. The water line is tapped at the hot water heater and running to the kold-steril which is built into a sink in the basement. I am looking for someone that can redo the setup, once I make a decision and purchase.

Thanks

 

[levon15]

I get angry and change my DI resin when my TDS creeps above 1 or 2 TDS.

What type of filter is adding 10 TDS to your water?

Your water for a RO/DI should tap the cold water, not the hot.

Hooking up a RO/DI is easy when compared to plumbing a tank or even tying your shoes, well for some of us.




Sorry Capo.

 

[capncapo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12138756#post12138756 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by levon15
Sorry Capo.

Think nothing of it....there's still PLENTY of room on my list.

What? You've never heard of velcro?

 

[DrBDC]

From what I understand, kold steril units are not really appropriate for reef systems. They do remove bacteria at .2 microns but not virus'. Some metals may be removed. Here are some quotes I've found:

"If you need sterile water, with essentially unchanged water chenistry,
Kold Steril is probably the unit of choice."

"Flow rate is 3.8 Gpm (14.3Lpm) @ 40 psig for approximately 5,000 gallons
(18,925 L.) per set of cartridge."

At 185 tds, you'll go through a large di container in 30-50 gallons max.

Here are some threads:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=11235&highlight=Koldsteril

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=233049&highlight=kold

In the end after reading, I'd ditch it and get a good ro/di unit.

 

[Charlie's Angel]

Yeah..I am ditching it and getting a ro/di system. The kold-steril is hooked up to both hot and cold water. I run cold through it. Any recs on ro/di system?

I have set up my old ro/di system which was very easy...problem with this one is how it is tapped into the water line. I have to better see how it run tonight, so I can get an idea of how to replace.

 

[Fade]

I like air water ice solid units I just got this one does 150 gallons a day.

http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1MONSOON/The_Monsoon.html

I would not go higher then 150 gpd. If you want I could hook it up for you.

 

[Charlie's Angel]

Fade...that would be awesome. Nothing like redoing a system 8 months after it was setup. I meant to give you a call tonight. I'll give you a ring tomorrow.

 

[DrBDC]

Here is a great one if you have the $$

http://www.spectrapure.com/low_waste_systems.htm

Do you still have an old ro/di? It may be cheaper to buy it all new cartridges. I'm actually using an eBay one which I added parts, meters, gauges, etc. which ended up in the 200+ range when all said and done. But they can start you off for 120ish.

 

[Angler02]

Fade turned me on to air water and ice and I love my unit it's a 75 gpd unit. Speaking of which my TDS out of my unit is 0 ppm but I have it draining into a trash can and when I test the water from the can its at 105 ppm. Anyone know what could cause this?
Also can you use a tds meter on saltwater from your tank or would that damage it?

 

[DrBDC]

The tds of saltwater is way too high to really test with a meter.

As far as the trash can,,, dust, residues, anything can elevate the tds.

I guess first question, is it a brute container or ?? And is it left covered or open?

 

[chadfarmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12142226#post12142226 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrBDC
The tds of saltwater is way too high to really test with a meter.

As far as the trash can,,, dust, residues, anything can elevate the tds.

I guess first question, is it a brute container or ?? And is it left covered or open?

that is so true


(i test mine with fresh made water in a glas cup that has been washed out with ro/di water a couple times)

 

[Angler02]

Well I had just done a water change and I mixed the new salt water in this brute trash can, so that could be why. It was dry but I didnt wash it out.

 

[levon15]

I would suspect that the residue/salt left in the trash can after mixing is making your TDS in the can high. I would get an inline tester or test as farmer does in a very clean glass.

Washing out your mixing tank is a good idea every so often. I do it every other time I make salt water.

 

[DrBDC]

Easily that high just with dried left overs. I'm actually surprised it's not higher. It's nothing to worry about.

 

[Charlie's Angel]

I am going to order the air water ice one today. While I would like the spectrapure system, I don't want to spend that kind of cash on it. Need some other things for the tank.

Unfortunately, I don't have the old RO/DI system.