Fish, Quarentine and High TDS

ricwilli · Sep 16, 2012

I would like to know if high TDS has any effects on fish?
I have an rodi unit running two di cannisters. I use one di canister to make rodi water with tds of 0 for my reef. I use the second di canister to make rodi water with high TDS for my quarentine setup. Currently the second di canister is producing a TDS of 10. Once the first di starts producing a TDS of 2, I change it and use it to make rodi water for my quarentine setup. I do this so that I don't exhuast the first di canister to fast, making water for my reef and quarentine setup.
My quarentine method consists of the Transfer method. So I make quite a bit of water. I'm woundering how high can I let the TDS get up too without effecting the fish in quarentine?
Hope all this makes sence. Thanks

Loki · Sep 16, 2012

if you clean your quarantine system after each use you should be able to run just your ro water. the fish and corals really dont mind (I think) but the algae is what comes from the phosphates and nitrates in the water. In a quarantine system these really dont matter so I would run both DI for your reef and just RO for your QT.

I could be wrong and if I am someone will let you know :)

stunreefer · Sep 16, 2012

You will be fine using higher TDS for fish in a QT system, it will fuel more algae growth as mentioned. I wouldn't hesitate to use it up to 50 ppm for what you're doing.

We do have to remember that TDS is a broad measurement, so be cautious using high TDS with coral. We don't know exactly what is in the higher TDS water, just that there is 'more' dissolved solids.

I use "step down" methods for QT systems, where I pull water out of a reef and pump it into QT, then re-fill the reef with fresh saltwater. I always like to use older water opposed to fresh made saltwater in QT.