TDS meters

[lostreefer]

Do you need to have a TDS meter to run a RO water system?

 

[tanker]

No. Nice to have just to test every once in a while.

 

[HaleMoana]

No, not needed... but certainly a good tool that helps you manage when to replace the filters. Without one, I believe that 6 months is a good rule of thumb.

 

[lostreefer]

How much are they?

 

[crvz]

$20, $25 for a handheld. they're pretty cheap, easily well worth it.

 

[tmz]

You can check your output water and determine when you need to change your filters and /or membrane. Not priocey at all at about $20.You'll easily save that by not changeing membranes prematurely.

 

[Phyxius]

Like others have said its not necessary but sure nice to have. I use mine after every so many jugs of RO/DI from my system just to check my water coming out.
I get water once in a great while from the LFS if I need water quick and always check theirs before using.

I actually got mine from a water store here for 15.00. Its the same model that's 25.00 up everywhere else.

 

[padi200]

I purchased the small hand held one from MarineDepot.. I love it


http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_Aquar...osmosis-deionization_tds_meter_test_kits.html

Chuck

 

[Flipper62]

WELL...just my opinion....You can get a Com-100 for $ 50.00.
from the filter guys http://www.thefilterguys.biz/tds_meters.htm

This is a good investment ( to me ).....Whether you buy water from Wally World ( Walmart......who knows when they changed the filters ) Even if you make your own RO/DI & store it in jugs.. after a while the TDS will change.

How much money have you invested into your tank ???

Are you willing to risk your entire tank.........just because you DIDN'T want to buy a Com-100

Also the best thing about the Com-100 is that it does read the TDS right down to the 0.001 reading. The only meter that will do this

Pure RO/DI reading is 0.3.......This is the perfect RO/DI reading. BUT other meters will read 0.0...WHY, because the prams for that meter are not that precice

SORRY.......just my Opinion....Kill $$$$$$ for $50.00

 

[padi200]

Mostly you want to know if you need to change your filters or DI resin.
If you use the same meter each time and it goes from 0 ppm to 5, then it is time to fix it. I would not spend tons of $$ on the meter. More important to have one. AND by the way, the one I purchased can be calibrated with the 800 ppm fluid that you can get with it. Then you know your results are right on.


Chuck

ps I calibrate all my meters.. they are only as good as their last calibration!

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13210301#post13210301 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by padi200


Mostly the one I purchased can be calibrated with the 800 ppm fluid that you can get with it. Then you know your results are right on.

which meter is that Chuck?

 

[Flipper62]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13210363#post13210363 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
which meter is that Chuck?

Hey Capn...Happy friday....:beer: :beer: :beer:.....:dance: :dance: :dance:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Without a TDS meter of some sort (inline or handheld), I'm not sure how you can know when to swap in a new DI resin. IMO, the color changing resins may not the best way to go. They seem to sometimes not change color until after there is break through of contaminants.

I personally prefer the dual inline TDS meters that I got from Spectrapure that allow monitoring of the tap water, post RO, post DI#1 and post DI#2.

This has more on RO/DI and how to use TDS with it:

Reverse Osmosis/Deionization Systems to Purify Tap Water for Reef Aquaria
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/rhf/index.htm

 

[lostreefer]

thanks for the info even tho im still torn which one i should get inline or handheld ? Maybe get both whats most people use and which are more accurate?

 

[ludnix]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13215770#post13215770 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lostreefer
thanks for the info even tho im still torn which one i should get inline or handheld ? Maybe get both whats most people use and which are more accurate?

I don't think the degree of accuracy between the two will ever be worth debating. Get whichever will be most convenient for you (which will largely depend on where your RO/DI unit is mounted).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I agree. The accuracy is fairly unimportant for monitoring RO/DI.

 

[reeftreasure]

It doesn't get better than having the dual inline TDS meters by Spectrapure, very inexpensive and well worth it.
You'll be surprised how often you need to change out the filters, and you'll also be surprised how nice and clear your water quality is.