Im not a chemistry major, so I have a question about TDS? What exactly doesn't it test for? Like is there anything the I should be testing my water for that doesn't show up as a dissolved solid. Or if the TDS is 0 is that good enough? Like are Phosphates considered dissolved solids, or anything else I should test for besides TDS? Also is there any problme with using Distilled water for water changes/top-off until I get a RO/DI? I have been using an AP Tap water filter, but I get about 60G out of a filter B4 I have to replace it and they cost 29.99+tax. I can get 60G of distilled water for almost the same price, and it is soooo much eaiser, especially since I have to drive an hour to the "LFS" to buy replacement carteridges.
Tds?
- Thread starter todd2000
- Start date
Travis L. Stevens
Active member
A TDS Meter tests Total Dissolved Solids. That's it. It doesn't descriminate on what type of solids. Copper, iron, etc. If you have a TDS meter just test your distilled water. It should be fine. If it is easier for you to get distilled water, go for it. Or, if you are spending that much so often, just buy a RO, or RO/DI unit and save yourself the trouble of lugging water jugs around and driving.
I plan on buying a RO/DI, just not a for a little while, I don't have a job at the moment. I know it tests dissolved solids, I was just wondering if there could be anything in the water that is NOT a dissolved solid, or is evey impurity (clorine, phosphate, nitrate etcc....) a dissolved solid?
Aquabucket
Premium Member
If your water has a 0 TDS reading then that's all you can hope for!
Keep in mind an RODI unit has a membrane that degrades over time. It also has other chambers that need to be kept up with. If there is a high amount of iron in your water ~ a softener will be needed to keep the membrane and other parts of the filter from degrading faster. Many RODI units will generate 3PPM or so in little time and can not maintain a reading of 0 indefinately.
Many labs will reley on distilled water because of its purity.
In a nutshell pure distilled water is as an optimal water source.
Keep in mind an RODI unit has a membrane that degrades over time. It also has other chambers that need to be kept up with. If there is a high amount of iron in your water ~ a softener will be needed to keep the membrane and other parts of the filter from degrading faster. Many RODI units will generate 3PPM or so in little time and can not maintain a reading of 0 indefinately.
Many labs will reley on distilled water because of its purity.
In a nutshell pure distilled water is as an optimal water source.
