TDS reading

[FullPull]

I just installed an inline TDS meter on my RO system. I only have the output hooked up due to the fact I need to get a 3/8" JG fitting, but I tried it and got a reading of 6 ppm. That is pretty low isn't it. The reason I ask ...my tank has been running for about 3 1/2 months and I still have a horrible hair algae problem, it's to the point that it is growing on the shells of a few of my larger hermits. My phosphates won't register on an Instant Ocean test kit, nor will nitrates. I'm running Caulpalera in a Refugium to try to use up nutrients and was running Phosban for awhile with no success.....It's just about on my last nerve at this point.

 

[bertoni]

If the system is RO only, 6 ppm might be okay. We need a reading on tapwater before filtration to say much, though.

 

[drummereef]

You might want to try chaeto in the fuge instead. Also, adding a DI stage to the RO unit will bring that TDS down to 0. And there's nothing better than 0 tds when it comes to algae blooms. www.thefilterguys.biz sell add-on DIs for cheap.

 

[papagimp]

How does the caulepra look? Remember that algae is a lower form of plant life than macro algae and in turn needs less requirments met to thrive. If the Caulepra is not getting otpimal conditions for growth and nutrient uptake, than it'll allow the algae to continue. Macro will also need to be "harvested" occasionally to pull out nutrients. If any of it startst o decay at all, lot's of phosphates and nitrates will be reintroduced into the sytem and in all likelyhood retaken up by the hair algae before you register it on your testkit. Do you have any algae eating crew in the tank? Besides hermits, as they are not very efficient algae eaters. They are opportunistic and will just eat whatever they get their grubby hands on, left over foods are just as good to them as algae. What kind of lighting on the fuge? How long of a photoperiod?
And finally 3 1/2 months is till considered a "new" tank and may just take more time to mature past the point of algae phases.

Remove any algae you can by hand to let the caulepra get all the nutrients it can, if the algae is getting to it before the macro does, than it's not going to be doing much for ya.