LFS Water Quality

jb61264

jb61264

New member
Wow...I was planning to get some water from my LFS until my new RO/DI filters came in...I took my TDS meter and asked if I could measure it on the water they provided. The first thing that alarmed me was the question of "what is TDS?" then after they got some of their water for me to test...it was 72ppm...I said no thanks...they asked me what it should be and I said "uhh...zero" with a smile and said "have a nice day"

I'll stick with the RO/DI from the grocery store system that is at 2ppm when I last measured it.
 
I have found this locally also...my lfs has a 600gpd unit and charges 70 cents a gallon.....their TDS was 67 last time i checked....My local grocery store is always 3 or less.....occasionally 0
 
they did not know what TDS was? They were selling water? If it was salt water, the TDS measurement is meaningless; if it was "RO/DI" water, they were clueless.
 
Ya...its sad sometimes, you'd think people who worked a fish department would spend a ton of time on the forums like most of us do. I guess its one of those situations where you deal with fish all day at work, the last thing you want to do when you come home is deal with more fish. None the less, my RODI unit was the best investment I ever made. I wouldn't suggest anyone even get into the hobby without one.
 
Why not get your own RO/DI system?

You can get a good 5-stage one for ~$150. I don't know what you pay for RO water, but the system would pay for itself quickly-nevermind the convenience.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15346102#post15346102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by James77
Why not get your own RO/DI system?

You can get a good 5-stage one for ~$150. I don't know what you pay for RO water, but the system would pay for itself quickly-nevermind the convenience.
Click to expand...

The re read the post, the guy does have an RO/DI system, he's just waiting for new filters to come in and needs water in the mean time..
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15346026#post15346026 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snorvich
they did not know what TDS was? They were selling water? If it was salt water, the TDS measurement is meaningless; if it was "RO/DI" water, they were clueless.
Click to expand...
It was RO/DI and they are obviously clueless :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15346037#post15346037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ryandlf
Ya...its sad sometimes, you'd think people who worked a fish department would spend a ton of time on the forums like most of us do. I guess its one of those situations where you deal with fish all day at work, the last thing you want to do when you come home is deal with more fish. None the less, my RODI unit was the best investment I ever made. I wouldn't suggest anyone even get into the hobby without one.
Click to expand...
I agree 100%...there were 3 LFS employees standing around doing a crossword puzzle...if they spent half the time they spend screwing around there maybe getting online and educating themselves about questions they get from customers, they would probably do a much better business.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15346102#post15346102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by James77
Why not get your own RO/DI system?

You can get a good 5-stage one for ~$150. I don't know what you pay for RO water, but the system would pay for itself quickly-nevermind the convenience.
Click to expand...
I paid for RO/DI water when I was just running a 29 gallon BioCube...I didn't need much evap refill and my two 7 gallon containers would last for over 2 weeks. I now have a 75 and bought a Coralife 50GPD RO/DI system but am waiting on my new filters to come in and be replaced
 
Reefers kinda expect LFS people to know these things, but most pet store people just there for the paycheck (hey, aren't we all).
 
Where is the cheapest place to get a tds meter? I usually change my ro filters when I notice an algae increase but I would rather do it with tds.
 
nevermind they aren't very expensive. but how do the $30 units compare to the $130 units?

sorry not trying to hijack this thread.
 
There was a LFS that was selling water they put through a softener water as RO/DI.

The TDS was over 200.

They are no longer in business.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15346347#post15346347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GrimReefer82
nevermind they aren't very expensive. but how do the $30 units compare to the $130 units?

sorry not trying to hijack this thread.
Click to expand...
Not a problem...keep your eye out in the for sale forum here on RC..I bought a used handheld one for $20 from someone who installed a dual inline one for his RO/DI...I may do the same in the future, but for now the handheld works great because I can help out my other friends who have RO/DI systems and take my meter over to their place from time to time.

As long as the meter is calibrated, it really doesn't matter if its $200 or $20...the more expensive ones probably have some sort of digital output or maybe a more sensitive probe (to the thousandths versus to the hundredths?)..not completely sure but I know the one I bought for $20 used works great for what I need it for
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15346037#post15346037 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ryandlf
Ya...its sad sometimes, you'd think people who worked a fish department would spend a ton of time on the forums like most of us do. I guess its one of those situations where you deal with fish all day at work, the last thing you want to do when you come home is deal with more fish. None the less, my RODI unit was the best investment I ever made. I wouldn't suggest anyone even get into the hobby without one.
Click to expand...

+1




Problem with LFS (at least mine) Is that they have huge containers (one for salt and one for RO) The water must stay there for so long that what must've been 0 TDS water ends up being 50ppm+ by the time they start selling it
 
I had a similar situation. You would be surprised at how many LFS RO/DI water is more like tap water. Its sad but unfortunately true.
 
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