T.d.s.
- Thread starter kb0vhy
- Start date
John Kelly
Goniopora Aficionado
A new membrane should be arriving this Saturday, so I'll test it. My two year old one was putting out 30-34 TDS. I think John Stephens (LargeJohn) posted that his was 30? not too long ago. Maybe Patrick (Deadeye) will post his. It is new. (btw, where is he?).
In order to get an accurate reading, you are suppose to let the water run for 2 or 3 minutes through the RO before testing the TDS.
In order to get an accurate reading, you are suppose to let the water run for 2 or 3 minutes through the RO before testing the TDS.
John Kelly
Goniopora Aficionado
What is your RO by itself?
What DI resin do you use?
John Kelly
Goniopora Aficionado
That's good to know. My last membrane was fried then (30TDS). IME, The DI resin that comes with the Typhoon will keep the water at perfect zero TDS until the resin is completely expired.
John Kelly
Goniopora Aficionado
Re: T.d.s.
What is the TDS of your tap water?
aquaconnect
New member
I currently run 3 tds on a commercial culligan DI unit, just like Matt had up at the shop, which is acceptable for me even though it's not quite 0 like it should be. I like it because it's just DI, and I have no waste water that I'm paying for, plus I can run a hose from it and it comes out as fast as a faucet. I had an RODI for about 6yrs and had no major problems, and since switching to just the culligan DI have noticed absolutly no change in my water quality, 0's across the board, 450cal 14dkh, 8.2ph, just tested. In fact, when I moved, I used 120gals of new water from Matt's to mix w/my 75gal of old water, and never had any kind of bloom or anything. Between running carbon, and 4lbs of ROWAphos, and overskimming I think that 3 tds is acceptable for me and much cheaper for me to pay for. It's also easier because now I don't have to wait a day or more to fill my 55gal drums, just minutes. Also, it's only $143 every six months, and that's a savings on what I was spending on media & waste water on my AquaFx to try and keep 0 tds. In my case, the ease and money savings far out weighs the fact I have 3tds, and from what I understand from Culligan and from Matt's use, it stays that way until the DI is used up 100%, so I can live with that.
Also, if anyone ever gets in a jam and needs some H2O, I would be willing to hook them up. Culligan requires service every 6mts or 4000 gals which ever comes first, and in 6mts time there is no way I'll use 4000gals (still waiting to fund the mega reef under the house), just byobuckets!
Also, if anyone ever gets in a jam and needs some H2O, I would be willing to hook them up. Culligan requires service every 6mts or 4000 gals which ever comes first, and in 6mts time there is no way I'll use 4000gals (still waiting to fund the mega reef under the house), just byobuckets!
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triggerjay
New member
That would be unlikley unless he didn't wash them out good. They are food grade..
Jason
Jason
triggerjay
New member
only one way to find out..
Jason
Jason
John Kelly
Goniopora Aficionado
I replaced my old RO membrane the other day with a new one. The TDS is now 002 on the meter before the DI and 000 after the DI. The TDS of the cold tap water this morning was 123 after letting it run for a few minutes. Walter ("the H20 Guru") at a1rwaterice said that the RO membrane is fried if it is allowing more than 7% TDS through. My previous membrane was only 2 years old, but it was allowing 32 TDS through, which is about 26%. It was also using up the DI resin quickly, but the finished product was still 000 TDS.
Another thing that can affect RO membrane performance is the installation procedure. The seals on the ends of the membrane need to be coated with 100% silicone grease (or dish soap) in order for them to seal properly. Oreily Automotive carries 100% silicone grease. (Note: 100% silicone grease and 100% silicone adhesive are not the same thing
)
Another thing that can affect RO membrane performance is the installation procedure. The seals on the ends of the membrane need to be coated with 100% silicone grease (or dish soap) in order for them to seal properly. Oreily Automotive carries 100% silicone grease. (Note: 100% silicone grease and 100% silicone adhesive are not the same thing
)
swimboy123
Reef-a-holic
I have terrible water here in NC. My incoming is 486 and coming out it's 3 or 4 with relatively new membranes
John Kelly
Goniopora Aficionado
"Salt" is a dissolved solid. You want to have the water in as clean of a container as possible when you test it. If you use the same bucket to make saltwater in as you do to keep top off water in, the TDS (total dissolved solids) reading will not be accurate.
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