Ideal TDS

[FlameangelLover]

Hello guys I’m new to reefing and I measured my TDS for my saltwater today and the reading was 5 ppm for one of the buckets and 18 for the other . Is it okay to use the 5 in my tank?

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

Nope, has to be zero, no exceptions.

 

[FlameangelLover]

Nope, has to be zero, no exceptions.

What do you think could be causing the fluctuation in buckets?

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

I measured my TDS for my saltwater today and the reading was 5 ppm for one of the buckets and 18 for the other.

Just to be sure we’re on the same page you are talking about RODI water and not saltwater correct?

 

[FlameangelLover]

Just to be sure we’re on the same page you are talking about RODI water and not saltwater correct?

Yes. I bought two buckets of rodi water from my LFS. One bucket said 18 and one said 5 ppm

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

Yes. I bought two buckets of rodi water from my LFS. One bucket said 18 and one said 5 ppm

There is an issue then with your LFS and their RODI filtration.

 

[Indiana Reefin]

It could just be dustbin the air. Do you mix salt in those buckets?

 

[FlameangelLover]

It could just be dustbin the air. Do you mix salt in those buckets?

Yes. Which is what I think my first mistake is

 

[Indiana Reefin]

Well there you go. Residual salt. Nothing to be concerned about

 

[KrisReef]

GOod practice to have "clean" and "dirty" buckets and containers for RODI and tank cleaning, etc.

 

[FlameangelLover]

Well there you go. Residual salt. Nothing to be concerned about

lol you had me so scared lol. Okay I’m new to reefing so I could use the help. How can I start doing my water changes? Should I buy a new bucket and sanitize with tap water and let it dry over night or should I just let it dry all together? What advice can you give me on doing 5 gal water changes ?

 

[FlameangelLover]

GOod practice to have "clean" and "dirty" buckets and containers for RODI and tank cleaning, etc.

See lol I didn’t know that I was keeping my dirty buckets separate but I never kept my salt and rodi separate

 

[Indiana Reefin]

I just keep them separate.
RO/DI buckets
Salt mixing buckets or containers

I really don’t think it really matters much. Residual salt isn’t going to impact your water. It may raise your salinity over a long period. But it would take a lot of top off water with residual salt.

 

[Fish Fan]

Most of us here have an RODI filter system that produces 0 TDS water. You can also used distilled water from any grocery store or pharmacy. Here's a 6 gallon pack for $8.00 at your local Mega-Lo-Mart.

 

[FlameangelLover]

I just keep them separate.
RO/DI buckets
Salt mixing buckets or containers

I really don’t think it really matters much. Residual salt isn’t going to impact your water. It may raise your salinity over a long period. But it would take a lot of top off water with residual salt.

Okay cool I think I will copy you in doing it this way. Also I will use my 5ppm water I got and do my water change ! I definitely need to do a better job of not contaminating my buckets I feel bad

 

[Indiana Reefin]

Okay cool I think I will copy you in doing it this way. Also I will use my 5ppm water I got and do my water change ! I definitely need to do a better job of not contaminating my buckets I feel bad

Don’t feel bad. Your reef will be fine. You did nothing wrong. Give yourself some grace

 

[KrisReef]

Most of us here have an RODI filter system that produces 0 TDS water. You can also used distilled water from any grocery store or pharmacy. Here's a 6 gallon pack for $8.00 at your local Mega-Lo-Mart.

Sweet.
Thats a sign of progress that our Reefing needs are being served up in a 6 Pack at major retailers.

OP- it’s quick and easy to grab a 6 pack in many places but it is wise to use a TDS meter on purchased DI, and a salinometer on saltwater to verify the product.

 

[Fish Fan]

Sweet.
Thats a sign of progress that our Reefing needs are being served up in a 6 Pack at major retailers.

OP- it’s quick and easy to grab a 6 pack in many places but it is wise to use a TDS meter on purchased DI, and a salinometer on saltwater to verify the product.

Hey man, some of us little people have to get by somehow ;-)

 

[KrisReef]

Hey man, some of us little people have to get by somehow ;-)

It scares me, because I know how sketchy bottled water has been in recent, hopefully past history. This was especially true in grocery store water vending kiosks that would put tap into your bottle and they called it purified.

 

[Subsea]

Hello guys I’m new to reefing and I measured my TDS for my saltwater today and the reading was 5 ppm for one of the buckets and 18 for the other . Is it okay to use the 5 in my tank?

After 55 years of Reefing, when I hear makeup water has to be zero TDS, I say b.s.

My ground water has a TDS OF 950 ppm and it goes straight into the tank. I use less synthetic salt mix. The Edwards Plateau was a shallow inland sea which was heavy with diatoms which means it is high in silicates which suits me because the sponges need it. And because it is a limestone formation, both calcium & magnesium are high.