TDS and ro/di question

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by TravisVT, Feb 14, 2016.

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  1. TravisVT

    TravisVT Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2012
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    Location:
    Colchester, Vermont
    Just purchased a HM digital com-100 TDS meter and have a few questions about something I found. My current set for making water is as follows. I make ro-di water that fills a 30 gallon brute. I normally make water on the weekends and leave it until i need it for top off or make a bunch in anticipation for the bi-weekly water changes. I tested the water right out of the ro-di unit and i am getting 0 on the TDS meter. I tested it again after it sits in the ro-di brute for a bit and it reads 1.4 at that time. Now here is where I have some questions on why and what to do. When i get ready to make salt water I manually transfer 15 gallons (by a 5 gallon bucket) into a separate 30 gallon brute. In this brute is a heater and a power head. I just tested the water in the saltwater brute (no salt added, just barely transfered from the ro-di water brute) and it reads 64.5! The only thing this brute has been used for is to mix up salt water. Why is this reading so high? Is it the old salt that dried on the bottom and sides of the brute from the previous saltwater mix? Should I clean this brute? If so, how? Is this number normal? How do you keep your saltwater mixing containers clean/clear?

    Thanks!
     
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  3. AZDesertRat

    AZDesertRat Giant Squid

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    You are good. What you are seeing is the salt residue. If you dip the 5 gallon bucket in the RO/DI Brute thats what you are seeing there too. I would suggest a snug fitting lid for the RO/DI Brute to keep any real contaminants out.
     
  4. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    ^ +1; We're not worthy, we're not..... ^

    agreed, all your mainly concerned about is near 0, or zero after your RO/DI; and limiting contaminants in the mixing containers as well.

    ** I once tested my mixed up, 1.027 SW- it was off the scale!
     
  5. TravisVT

    TravisVT Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2012
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    Location:
    Colchester, Vermont
    Great to hear! Thank you for the quick response :)