am working on fishroom...need opinions on TDS testers....should I get one plumbed before the ro/di? after? handheld? do they run on batteries or will they potentially need a plug? returning to hobby after years away, have never had TDS tester and am figuring out how room needs to be configured/powered... many thanks all
TDS tester arrangement
- Thread starter Charfish
- Start date
Ideally, two of the inline testers would be great. One to read raw tap water entering the unit, one before the membrane, one after the membrane and one after the DI. I haven't set mine up this way, I use a single Hanna Dual unit, one monitoring the raw tap and one after the DI, but I have it set up so I can switch over to check the TDS after the membrane by moving the tee with the second tester lead.
I want to plan ahead... are these inline testers battery powered of will I need 120v? Is everyone's recommendation a dual tester (supply water and post membrane) and then a single tester for after the di membrane so I can see when it is going bad? Please weigh in before I plunk down a couple of hundred dollars on redundant equipment.
Mine uses a little wafer battery, I think, I have never had to replace it, it has lasted for about 3 years now.
This is the one I use...
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/dual-inline-tds-meter-dm-1-hm-digital.html
This is the one I use...
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/dual-inline-tds-meter-dm-1-hm-digital.html
Over kill, which is probably why I still have just one, but it is nice to have.It is pretty easy to move them around to check other parameters of the ro/di unit.
thanks, sirreal63... anyone else have an opinion?
telijah
New member
I think 3 will give you all you really need. One on the source water to get your baseline, then one after the ro membrane (so you can make sure your membrane is reducing TDS by x%) and then one after the di resin, to make sure you're at zero. I only have two, missing the one on the source, as being in St Pete, I know our tap water s already very low on TDS.
thanks, telijah... so you recommend a dual and a single? the ro/di and testers will be the first new equipment buy for my fishroom so I appreciate input... also, since testers will be up relatively high on wall switching them out may be very simple but not practical for my situation.
telijah
New member
Well, I personally do not want/need the single on the source water, but again I am in an area known for having good tap water, which I drink from regularly. Unless you know your source water will fluctuate on the amount of TDS there is, then having just the dual tester before and after the di resin should suffice in my opinion. You can test your source water before finalizing installation of everything, just to get your base numbers, then finish installing everything and calculate the reduction % on the pre-di resin sensor to make sure you're getting 90, 95, 98% etc TDS reduction from the RO membrane.
My opinion: If you already know what your source TDS is, and know it will not fluctuate much, then only two sensors needed, one pre and one post di resin. To really go over board, you could have a meter on the source, post sediment filter and carbon block(s), post ro/pre di, and post di, means getting two dual line sensors.
My opinion: If you already know what your source TDS is, and know it will not fluctuate much, then only two sensors needed, one pre and one post di resin. To really go over board, you could have a meter on the source, post sediment filter and carbon block(s), post ro/pre di, and post di, means getting two dual line sensors.
treetopflyn
New member
Just curious why would it matter if the source fluctuates? As long as the out is zero what does it mater what it is when it comes in?
curious myself...I have a 400' well so I doubt the aquifer fluctuates much. Knowing the source water TDS is just satisfying a curiosity and not doing much. Knowing when TDS increases after di would be serving a purpose of signaling replacement. That is the purpose, right?
telijah
New member
It helps to know if your source/tap water is steady. If it is steady, then it is easy to know if your RO memrane is still reducing TDS at it's advertised rate. If you'res is rated a 98% reduction, then 8ppm is great, as long as you know your source is about 400ppm. But if it fluctuates (and I mean on a huge scale), then you will not know how well your ro membrane is doing. As mentioned, I am perfectly fine without knowing my source TDS.
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