Do these TDS reading sound right?

AZDesertRat,

I did as you suggested and mixed up the resin, and packed it in as tight as I could. It was amazing how much space there was at the top of the canister, must have been 1-2" gap, but it's all tight now. Now I can't see the beads moving when the water is flowing through it.

I thought the color change in the resin was the beads being used up, but as you pointed out it was the cation and anion resins separating. So is there actually enough of a color change in the beads that you can tell when they are close to being used up?

 

I would not rely on color changing resin period. It is unpredictable for the most part. It can turn in streaks, stratify like you witnessed, turn too late which is usually what happens, not turn at all, partially turn etc.
I stick with non color changing resin. For one it will produce a higher resistivity, more pure, water since it does not contain dyes. I use a TDS meter which is much more repeatable and accurate. When I consistently see anything other than 0 it gets swapped out, no judgemental color change calls or questions.

 

OK, great, thanks again for all your help...