TDS, tell us your story

[reefrunner69]

Well, I just got my TDS meter in from CaptiveRaisedCorals.com, thanks Logan, great job as usual!! And started playing with it, I got a hanna TDS1 handheld TDS meter, I liked the idea of hand held so I could test the source water and the RO and then the DI output. My RO/DI hasn't made it here yet, expected delivery by UPS is Tuesday, but wanted to get a feel for what I was putting it through. I was pleasantly suprised to say the least. My well water tested at about 265ppm, the water coming in the hours tested at 240 ppm after the iron filter for the house. If I were to fill a tub with water straight from our well, it would be nasty orange water, so I was pretty surprised with 260.

So I got a couple questions
1) Who calibrates their TDS meter?
2) What is your TDS before your RO
3) What is your TDS after your RO

 

[ReefRaff]

I'm not sure who calibrates them, But We have good old chlorinated, flourinated filterd city water thats comes in at 140 ppm and leaves the membrain at 000. However during the Power outage last summer, I filtered water to drink when pressure went down in the lines and the tds jumped to 265. I would think 260 for well water is ok.

BTW well water is nasty. some friends of mine out in the boonies have it and you may aswell suck on a rusty nail.

 

[reefrunner69]

I actually expected it to be much higher.

 

[loganj]

My well water reads 130 out of the tap, 12-14 out of the RO, and 0 out of the DI. While I have never calibrated my meter, I do check it in distilled water once in a while. So far, it's always read 0.
And, I guess because I grew up out in the boonies, I can't stand city water. The chemical (chlorine I guess) taste gags me.

 

[reefrunner69]

While I have never calibrated my meter, I do check it in distilled water once in a while. So far, it's always read 0.

My question would be, does it read 0 because it cannot give a negative display??

Just because I'm anal about such things, can you get me the calibration solution?

 

[loganj]

Yes, I can get it. I don't have any, but I'll check into it and get back to you. Guess I'll have to "keep up with the Rileys" and order a bottle for here too. I'll let you know as soon as I can.

 

[Biggen]

My tap water comes out at 85ppm. From what I gather, that is not too bad for city water. After running it through my RO/DI filter, it goes to zero.

I have never calibrated my meter. They can be calibrated usually using a solution of sodium chloride I believe. I think mine calibrates at 500ppm NaCL. I do the same as Logan does though, by putting it in known distilled or DI water. If it comes up zero, I would say its accurate.

My question would be, does it read 0 because it cannot give a negative display??

I guess it is possible that it could be that far off but I doubt it. Just from my experience, TDS meters don't have to be calibrated near as much as pH meters do. I have no idea why but it is just what I have observed.

 

[cmor1701d]

Tap water comes out at 183 now but I've seen it over 200. DI comes out at 0, sometimes 1 but I attribute that to a dirty glass 8O .

I've never calibrated the meter.