What is your TDS result of tap water ????

[Kaman8]

I did a test of my tap water today with my TDS meter and the result was 77ppm. Does it mean that my tap water is very well??? What are your readings of tap water????

[Xavibear]

The tds of my tap water is usually in the 20s. I still run RODI. I didn't in the beginning & I am fighting algae now.

[thegrun]

Low 400's for me. The TDS reading gives you a general feel for your water quality, but it does not tell you what exactly is contained in the dissolved solids. I could have water that has a 200 TDS reading that is perfectly okay to use (VERY unlikely, but theoretically possible) while your tap water could have a 20 TDS reading that would wipe out your tank.

[The sculpin]

TDS of my tap was 562 this morning. I go through a lot of RODI filters

[michaellee64]

Used to be low 400's but they are replacing the main water lines in town and I've seen it as high as 867! :eek2:

[KafudaFish]

147

[vanmo92]

175-250 depending on time of day

[Rarewon]

I think that last reading I had was in the 120's

[EllisJuan]

155ish

[myram]

115-135 here, well water

[Kaman8]

I have test my boiled water too and it was 94. It is higher then the water strait out of the tap. Why is that?

[ganjero]

I have test my boiled water too and it was 94. It is higher then the water strait out of the tap. Why is that?

I would guess the evaporation when boiling water increases the concentration of TDS (solids will not evaporate but stay behind).

[alb_56]

I would guess the evaporation when boiling water increases the concentration of TDS (solids will not evaporate but stay behind).

+1

Mine is in the 330 area.

[Blind45503]

Mine is only 7 ppm. I guess I have really clean water to start out with.

[alf1096]

450 or so and we are about to start drinking sewer water.

[fltekdiver]

Around 240 for me. City water

[Metal Man 1221]

I would guess the evaporation when boiling water increases the concentration of TDS (solids will not evaporate but stay behind).

+2
The only thing boiling the water will do is sterize it.

and..

Mine are usually around 250

[Neokane]

350-450

[Kaman8]

Mine is only 7 ppm. I guess I have really clean water to start out with.

Wow that is really low for tap water.

[Kaman8]

If the TDS reading is very high does it mean that you need to change ro filters faster?

[Metal Man 1221]

If the TDS reading is very high does it mean that you need to change ro filters faster?

No, RO membranes can last a LONG time. I am still running my original membranes. Just make sure to get a flush kit and keep your carbon blocks changed on time.

FWIW, My membranes put out only 1TDS to DI, down from 250 or so source water. Been that way for a while.

[tommyz44]

I run about 275 on average. 325 on the high side 250 low.

[shifty51008]

If the TDS reading is very high does it mean that you need to change ro filters faster?

most likely you will have to change the prefilters more often to keep the membrane good.

my tap is mid 300's but very hard water

[phillrodrigo]

Im in the 60s. Depending in the time of the year. It was 120 at one point.

[Mael]

high 200's to low 300's. AZ water is pretty bad.

[barry_keith]

Mines in the 50's

[ddrueckh]

My tap water is 35

[MrsFoxface]

Our tap is 3 ppm still use RO/DI

[mgrmax]

107

[Kaman8]

most likely you will have to change the prefilters more often to keep the membrane good.

my tap is mid 300's but very hard water

How do I know when my prefilters need to change?

[Kaman8]

Our tap is 3 ppm still use RO/DI

Wow so far you have the lowest reading. Reading is 3 and still need to use ro/di. Why are you using ro/di with such good water?

[disc1]

How do I know when my prefilters need to change?

When they look dirty or the pressure suddenly falls off.

[disc1]

I have test my boiled water too and it was 94. It is higher then the water strait out of the tap. Why is that?

You boiled away some of the water but left behind all of the salt. Same amount of salt in a smaller volume of water means a higher concentration. Boiling will always concentrate any salts that are present.

What were you hoping boiling the water would achieve?

[MrsFoxface]

We still use RO/DI because we dont want any potential issues tap water may cause. It's just a precaution. Better safe than sorry.

[Dapg8gt]

Last night mine was 18 tds.

[Xavibear]

Wow so far you have the lowest reading. Reading is 3 and still need to use ro/di. Why are you using ro/di with such good water?

You don't know what the 3ppm are. Could be something that kills your tank.

[mkj]

In Vancouver, usually 0-4 TDS, never seen it above 7 TDS (3 years of testing). Apparently, my city aquarium uses nothing but carbon to take out the small amounts of chlorine for their tanks, but I'm not sure I believe that.:fish2: We have a new very high end water purifying plant and water distribution system. I believe the water that comes from my tap is cleaner than bottled water.

I still use ro/di though just-in-case and to take out small amount of chlorine. The cartridges last a very long time though :mixed:

[kevin_austin]

Mine is pretty consistently around 28ppm - 31 ppm (Seattle, WA area).

The bonus is that my API Tap Water Filter lasts *forever* (well, at least a few hundred gallons). :)

[Xavibear]

I was using an API tap water filter in the beginning. TDS coming out of the tap is about the same as your in Seattle. I still had problems with algae & decided to buy a RODI filter.

[hijinks]

15-20ish

[Kaman8]

You boiled away some of the water but left behind all of the salt. Same amount of salt in a smaller volume of water means a higher concentration. Boiling will always concentrate any salts that are present.

What were you hoping boiling the water would achieve?

We always boiled the water before we drink it. We never drink water strait out of the tap. I always thought that boiled water is cleaner, but probably I was wrong. It just sterilise it....it will not make it cleaner.

[Kaman8]

Mine is pretty consistently around 28ppm - 31 ppm (Seattle, WA area).

The bonus is that my API Tap Water Filter lasts *forever* (well, at least a few hundred gallons). :)

I have a tap water filter too and I tested it yesterday to compare it with just tap water and the result was 74 for filter water and 77 for tap water. The different was not big. Very disappointed and I was using it all these years

[whosurcaddie]

If the TDS reading is very high does it mean that you need to change ro filters faster?

Basically what it means is you will go through DI resin faster depending on the rejection rate of the membrane. Say if you get a reading of 200 tds from your tap and you have a membrane with a rejection of 90% the water going through your di will be 20 tds. So if someone has a lower tds say around 50 there DI resin will last much longer due to the lower tds from the membrane.

[whosurcaddie]

In Vancouver, usually 0-4 TDS, never seen it above 7 TDS (3 years of testing). Apparently, my city aquarium uses nothing but carbon to take out the small amounts of chlorine for their tanks, but I'm not sure I believe that.:fish2: We have a new very high end water purifying plant and water distribution system. I believe the water that comes from my tap is cleaner than bottled water.

I still use ro/di though just-in-case and to take out small amount of chlorine. The cartridges last a very long time though :mixed:

That's ideal you wont have to change a filter for years.:thumbsup:

[Kaman8]

That's ideal you wont have to change a filter for years.:thumbsup:

With well water you can save a lot of money on filters.

[Reefer54]

dunno, i only use it to shower and wash the dishes. i drink the ro in the kitchen and have ro di for the tanks...prefilters going on 8 months and are still showing only 4-8 ppm....

[whosurcaddie]

With well water you can save a lot of money on filters.

Depends on if your well is pressurized with co2. co2 will destroy DI resin within one use. which is why some people have to off gas they're water before sending it through they're filter.

I have known people to use unfiltered well water for they're reef tanks but it largely depends where you live if you live in an area with a lot of agriculture it would be a no go because of the amount of pesticides in the ground water.

The best thing to do would be to take well water to get it professionally tested to see what exactly is in it.

[Kaman8]

Depends on if your well is pressurized with co2. co2 will destroy DI resin within one use. which is why some people have to off gas they're water before sending it through they're filter.

I have known people to use unfiltered well water for they're reef tanks but it largely depends where you live if you live in an area with a lot of agriculture it would be a no go because of the amount of pesticides in the ground water.

The best thing to do would be to take well water to get it professionally tested to see what exactly is in it.

I am using distilled water now for my tank....actually want a rodi system , but nobody sell it here in Hong Kong . They are only selling just ro systems. Every reefers in Hong Kong and even all the lfs are using distilled water. Distilled water is cheap here and you can order it online and they will send it to you home .

[Reefer54]

distilled is a GREAT way to go.

[Kaman8]

distilled is a GREAT way to go.

Are you using distilled water too? Is just ro system better or distilled?

[whosurcaddie]

I am using distilled water now for my tank....actually want a rodi system , but nobody sell it here in Hong Kong . They are only selling just ro systems. Every reefers in Hong Kong and even all the lfs are using distilled water. Distilled water is cheap here and you can order it online and they will send it to you home .

Have you looked at this?
http://hydrotek.en.made-in-china.com/product/AeqQbNaVXdcE/China-Di-Filter.html

It says 10 unit order minimum but maybe you can find someone that sells just one.

[MrsFoxface]

dunno, i only use it to shower and wash the dishes. i drink the ro in the kitchen and have ro di for the tanks...prefilters going on 8 months and are still showing only 4-8 ppm....

RO water is NOT safe for humans to drink. You need the minerals in water for your body to function. You can drink DI water (waste water) but RO water is bad for your body. Believe it or not.

[Kaman8]

RO water is NOT safe for humans to drink. You need the minerals in water for your body to function. You can drink DI water (waste water) but RO water is bad for your body. Believe it or not.

really??? I was planning to install a ro sytem in the kitchen as drinking water. I thought it was good for human.

[Kaman8]

Have you looked at this?
http://hydrotek.en.made-in-china.com/product/AeqQbNaVXdcE/China-Di-Filter.html

It says 10 unit order minimum but maybe you can find someone that sells just one.

This website is for wholesale. I looked everywhere and couldn't find any local website that are selling single rodi filters. I even checked china website, but they are only selling ro systems. If i order it on ebay the shipping cost is very expensive, because they are shipping from the US.

[MrsFoxface]

No. RO has no minerals in it at all. The body needs trace amounts of them such as iron, mag, sodium, ect. Even purified water has these elements. Thats why distilled or bottled water isnt good for your tank because it has these traces in it.

[Kaman8]

No. RO has no minerals in it at all. The body needs trace amounts of them such as iron, mag, sodium, ect. Even purified water has these elements. Thats why distilled or bottled water isnt good for your tank because it has these traces in it.

Just got 15 gallon distilled delivered today. TDS reading from my distilled water is 0

[MrsFoxface]

That's surprising. We've never used it so I figured it was like distilled or "purified" bottled water that you can buy in gocery stores.

[Every1jockzjay]

My rodi spits out 0tds after the ro, and in brooklyn were known to have the best tasting tap water, and bagels and pizza loll but def have some heavy metals from ancient plumbing

[Kaman8]

That's surprising. We've never used it so I figured it was like distilled or "purified" bottled water that you can buy in gocery stores.

Here is my 15 gallon distilled water

[Every1jockzjay]

And your tank needs pure water, whether its distilled or rodi. Your salt mix has all the elements the tank needs, its dry seawater

[Every1jockzjay]

Nvm i comprehended the last few posts wrong

[Kaman8]

Testing distilled water

[Kaman8]

Result

[Reefahholic]

4....

[shifty51008]

RO water is NOT safe for humans to drink. You need the minerals in water for your body to function. You can drink DI water (waste water) but RO water is bad for your body. Believe it or not.

your completly off sorry to say, RO water is very safe to drink and many people do.

the DI part is where alot of people say is bad for you to drink as it strips out everything in the water. IMO you will get all the minerals you need just from foods you eat so it's still safe to drink but pure RODI water tastes like crap IMO.

[Kaman8]

your completly off sorry to say, RO water is very safe to drink and many people do.

the DI part is where alot of people say is bad for you to drink as it strips out everything in the water. IMO you will get all the minerals you need just from foods you eat so it's still safe to drink but pure RODI water tastes like crap IMO.

Yeah I heard that too. Just ro is is not all pure, it just filtered 90%-98%. There is still something left in the water.

[Xavibear]

and your tank needs pure water, whether its distilled or rodi. Your salt mix has all the elements the tank needs, its dry seawater

+1

[disc1]

RO water is NOT safe for humans to drink. You need the minerals in water for your body to function. You can drink DI water (waste water) but RO water is bad for your body. Believe it or not.

You've got your stuff backwards. RO water I great to drink. DI water is not the waste water. DI is the final product. Some folks think it is bad for you to drink but it really isn't.

[disc1]

No. RO has no minerals in it at all. The body needs trace amounts of them such as iron, mag, sodium, ect. Even purified water has these elements. Thats why distilled or bottled water isnt good for your tank because it has these traces in it.

Again, you seem to have confused yourself. RO water will still have some trace minerals in it before it goes through the DI stage. Your body does need trace minerals, but gets most of that from food not water. Distilled water will not have any trace minerals in it. Distilled water will typically be ultra-pure.

[disc1]

We always boiled the water before we drink it. We never drink water strait out of the tap. I always thought that boiled water is cleaner, but probably I was wrong. It just sterilise it....it will not make it cleaner.

OK, you're talking two different definitions of clean. When you boil water you're killing the bacteria in the water. You shouldn't need to do this if you're drinking municipal tap water. They put the chlorine in there to kill the same bacteria. Sometimes they have problems and they think there may be harmful bacteria in the water so they issue a boil order.

But boiling does not remove the salts. It actually makes that part more concentrated.

So it depends on your definition of cleaner. And unless there is a microbial issue with the water, boiling doesn't make it any cleaner. It might actually make it dirtier.

[MrsFoxface]

I apologize. Late night reading and I flipped it around.

[Kaman8]

OK, you're talking two different definitions of clean. When you boil water you're killing the bacteria in the water. You shouldn't need to do this if you're drinking municipal tap water. They put the chlorine in there to kill the same bacteria. Sometimes they have problems and they think there may be harmful bacteria in the water so they issue a boil order.

But boiling does not remove the salts. It actually makes that part more concentrated.

So it depends on your definition of cleaner. And unless there is a microbial issue with the water, boiling doesn't make it any cleaner. It might actually make it dirtier.

That mean I can actually drink tap water strait out of the tap without do anything.

[shifty51008]

That mean I can actually drink tap water strait out of the tap without do anything.

I would do some research first, I have read stories lately that china's water is getting worse than the air.

[Kaman8]

I would do some research first, I have read stories lately that china's water is getting worse than the air.

Maybe you are right. Even Hong Kong is very separate from china , but the water source is from china. Really miss my home country Netherlands .....the tap water there taste so clean. We always drink strait out of the tap there. How do you if your tap water is very well or not? And why can a lot of people have a successful reef tank with tap water?

[cloak]

The last time I checked the TDS of my tap water was back in 2010. (46) I've been using tap water for about 15 years now without any problems though. Go figure...

[disc1]

That mean I can actually drink tap water strait out of the tap without do anything.

I don't know if you can or not. When I made that comment about chlorine treatment I was thinking about the US. I don't know how it is in Hong Kong. I didn't realize that's where you were.

If they recommend boiling the water it is because there are pathogens in the water. If there are pathogens in the water then that is worse for you to drink than the minerals in the water so you boil it. For the fish tank things may be a little different.

[cloak]

The last time I checked the TDS of my tap water was back in 2010. (46) I've been using tap water for about 15 years now without any problems though. Go figure...

[Mr tap water]

Anything over 500 TDS is meant to be unfit for human consumption

[Kaman8]

The last time I checked the TDS of my tap water was back in 2010. (46) I've been using tap water for about 15 years now without any problems though. Go figure...

Do you have diatom problems? Do you also keep sps?

[Mr tap water]

These pictures come from a tank that uses tap water it has a TDS of 320 all that's added to the water is Tetra Acqua safe conditioner only thing that needed more than normal is Phos remover which keeps the tank below 0.03 and this system has been running five years now I agree RO water is the safest bet but it can be done with tap water with good results with a few additives to help it.
275239275240275241275243275244

[Mr tap water]

Here are some more continued from above275245275246275247275248275249

[cloak]

Do you have diatom problems? Do you also keep sps?

Nothing out of the ordinary. My diatom problem with tap water is really no different than anybody elses that uses RO/DI IMO. It was bad in the beginning, but now they're pretty much non existent.
As far as sps corals go, I do have some of those. There not really as difficult to keep as one might think. Stability is key though.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2331570

[ReeferKimberly]

I have not tested in a while but last time it was 20. I use tap water for my tank. Not a lot of SPS, mostly LPS and softies. If I run into a problem I will start RO again. I just have not changed my filters and trying to keep cost down.

https://31.media.tumblr.com/6ac9176ad6f5642dee24114ccff7799b/tumblr_n1mjybFeif1rddoc7o1_500.jpg

[Kaman8]

Here are some more continued from above275245275246275247275248275249

Very nice and clean is your tank

[Kaman8]

Nothing out of the ordinary. My diatom problem with tap water is really no different than anybody elses that uses RO/DI IMO. It was bad in the beginning, but now they're pretty much non existent.
As far as sps corals go, I do have some of those. There not really as difficult to keep as one might think. Stability is key though.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2331570

I started with tap water too, but I have diatoms problem . After a week my whole sandbed is brown and need to clean the glass every 2 days. Have tested phosphate and it was 0 and I can't get my nitrates lower then 8 . Tested my tap water for nitrates and it was 5. How can you have 0 nitrates with tap water?

[Mr tap water]

Thank you :)

[Kaman8]

I have not tested in a while but last time it was 20. I use tap water for my tank. Not a lot of SPS, mostly LPS and softies. If I run into a problem I will start RO again. I just have not changed my filters and trying to keep cost down.

https://31.media.tumblr.com/6ac9176ad6f5642dee24114ccff7799b/tumblr_n1mjybFeif1rddoc7o1_500.jpg

Very nice tank....I have read your thread before about your tank :)

[Mr tap water]

I have not tested in a while but last time it was 20. I use tap water for my tank. Not a lot of SPS, mostly LPS and softies. If I run into a problem I will start RO again. I just have not changed my filters and trying to keep cost down.

https://31.media.tumblr.com/6ac9176ad6f5642dee24114ccff7799b/tumblr_n1mjybFeif1rddoc7o1_500.jpg


Looking good nice to see I'm not the only one out there that can do it successfully

[disc1]

Looking good nice to see I'm not the only one out there that can do it successfully

It has nothing to do with you or any other person. It has to do with the tap water in your particular location.

[Kaman8]

Looking good nice to see I'm not the only one out there that can do it successfully

I wish I could do that with tap water. The diatom at my sandbed and glass is just so ugly. If have such a clean tank like yours with tap I can save a lot of money on water. I am so jealous.

[Dapg8gt]

QUOTE=disc1;22701608]It has nothing to do with you or any other person. It has to do with the tap water in your particular location.[/QUOTE]

Totally agree it's totally dependant on your water source not everybody has good water at all.

I do but I still use my rodi. If your willing to gamble with your municipality being consistent with additives and mistakes that can't be taken out with dechlorinator more power to you =).

Tap tanks are totally dependant your source water but more on state certified human interaction. If you are on municipal water just an FYI humans make mistakes.. Coming from a supervisor of a local water dept =)..

Not sure how this thread got to using tap in the tank you spent a lot of $ on and I'm not preaching if it sounds like that I personally just plan for the worst when it comes to making sure I'm covered.. Especially something as important and critical as water in a tank but this topic has been argued a lot already so I will just leave it at that and apologize for the long wonder post .:deadhorse:. .

[Kaman8]

QUOTE=disc1;22701608]It has nothing to do with you or any other person. It has to do with the tap water in your particular location.

Totally agree it's totally dependant on your water source not everybody has good water at all.

I do but I still use my rodi. If your willing to gamble with your municipality being consistent with additives and mistakes that can't be taken out with dechlorinator more power to you =).

Tap tanks are totally dependant your source water but more on state certified human interaction. If you are on municipal water just an FYI humans make mistakes.. Coming from a supervisor of a local water dept =)..

Not sure how this thread got to using tap in the tank you spent a lot of $ on and I'm not preaching if it sounds like that I personally just plan for the worst when it comes to making sure I'm covered.. Especially something as important and critical as water in a tank but this topic has been argued a lot already so I will just leave it at that and apologize for the long wonder post .:deadhorse:. .[/QUOTE]

I have used tap water for 6 years, but always have diatom problem. Probably because there is silicate in the water. Started a new tank again and used filtered water, but can't get the nitrates get lower then 8 and then I changed to distilled water. I was just wondering what the TDS meter read of tap water from different people.

[Mr tap water]

Personally I think TDS is misunderstood by some just because you have a TDS reading some people automatically think it's impossible to run a reef tank or any length of time just because you have a tds reading doesn't necessarily mean it's harmful to your reef tank for me it's only the phos I have to deal with it is quite costly and maintaining below 0.03 and that is all I totally agree RO water has a no risk factor and properly cheaper in the long run but I've been using tapwater for over 40 years now so have no reasons for concerns and this is based on my own personal experience some of you may say I've just been lucky who knows but I say each to their own what works for some may not always work for others please note I am not telling you to use tapwater and Ro water should be your first choice but at the moment still can be done with tap water with a little knowledge in my opinion

[sahin]

The TDS reading of the water out of tap is 320. I use an RODI unit to bring it down to 0.

[Kaman8]

Personally I think TDS is misunderstood by some just because you have a TDS reading some people automatically think it's impossible to run a reef tank or any length of time just because you have a tds reading doesn't necessarily mean it's harmful to your reef tank for me it's only the phos I have to deal with it is quite costly and maintaining below 0.03 and that is all I totally agree RO water has a no risk factor and properly cheaper in the long run but I've been using tapwater for over 40 years now so have no reasons for concerns and this is based on my own personal experience some of you may say I've just been lucky who knows but I say each to their own what works for some may not always work for others please note I am not telling you to use tapwater and Ro water should be your first choice but at the moment still can be done with tap water with a little knowledge in my opinion

Don't you have nitrates in your tap water ?

[kenny b]

Here in Albuquerque, I measure around 220 to 240 ppm. The water has a crap-load of silt though and I'll need to change the sediment filter before the the DI cartridge (I'm getting 7-9ppm out of the RO membrane and 0 after the DI treatment).

[Mr tap water]

Don't you have nitrates in your tap water ?


When I do my water change which is weekly I add my Tetre aquasafe to the water and leave overnight and my nitrates read 5 in my tank runs from 2-5

[Mike31154]

Really is a good idea to get a water report from your supplier or have your well water professionally analyzed if you're on a well. That's the only way to know with some certainty what's in your water. TDS alone, as mentioned is just a number & tells you nothing about the elements/minerals/contaminants dissolved or undissolved in what's coming out of your tap.

I use RODI for my tank & RO water around the house for drinking, food prep, making wine, beer, soda pop etc. It's been a while since I checked the web site of my municipality to look at the latest water quality reports, but basically we have 2 main water sources here. One is a large lake (my usual source), the other is creek fed. Both have very different characteristics & numbers, the creek source being much softer with lower TDS. Occasionally, Greater Vernon Water switches off one or the other due to quality issues & everyone is fed from a single source. At the moment I'm on the alternate source for me, Duteau Creek, which is great 'cause TDS is 64 as opposed to 170 from Kalamalka Lake. Increased turbidity from spring run off has made the Kalamalka Lake source temporarily unsuitable, so everyone is on Duteau Creek water. The local paper ran an article last Friday advising folks of the switch, but if I hadn't read the paper, the only other way to find out about the change, is by the lower reading on my RODI system TDS meter when I make a batch of water.

Some dated reports from both sources follow. Shouldn't be a huge swing over the last several years, since much money has been spent to upgrade filtration to keep our water fit for human consumption. My property taxes at work! I've bolded some of the text that may be of additional interest with regard to reef keeping.

Water System: Greater Vernon Water
Source: Kalamalka Lake
Facility: Kal Lake Pumpstation
Sampling Point: Kal Lake Intake
Date: 7/14/2008
INORGANIC Results (mg/L unless noted)
Aluminum <0.050
Antimony <0.0030
Arsenic <0.0050
Barium 0.027
Boron 0.021
Cadmium <0.00010
Calcium 40.6
Chloride 5.38
Chromium <0.015
Copper <0.0030
Cyanide < 0.01
Fluoride 0.24
Iron <0.20
Lead <0.001
Magnesium 19.8
Manganese <0.0050
Mercury <0.00030
Molybdenum 0.005
Nitrate (as N) 0.069
Nitrite (as N) <0.010
Potassium 5.07
Selenium <0.0050
Sodium 18.4
Sulphate 51
Uranium 0.003
Zinc 0.011
PHYSICAL Results (mg/L unless noted)
Alkalinity (as CaCO3) 152
Colour <5 TCU
Conductivity 409 microS/cm
Hardness (as CaCO3) 183
pH 7.8
Total dissolved solids 238
Turbidity 1.0 NTU
UV Transmittance @254(%) 91%

Water System: Greater Vernon Water
Source: Duteau Creek
Facility: Headgates
Sampling Point: Headgates Cl2 bldg (1-1-SR, 5E8D)
Date of Sample: 7/19/2011
INORGANIC, Results (mg/L unless noted)
Aluminum (total) 0.114
Antimony (total) <0.0010
Arsenic (total) <0.0050
Barium (total) <0.050
Boron (total) <0.040
Cadmium (total) <0.00010
Calcium (total) <5.0
Chloride 0.21
Chromium (total) <0.0050
Copper (total) 0.0245
Cyanide (total) <0.01
Fluoride 0.13
Iron (total) 0.31
Lead (total) <0.0010
Magnesium (total) 1.23
Manganese (total) 0.02
Mercury (total) <0.00020
Molybdenum (total) <0.0010
Nitrate (as N) 0.02
Nitrite (as N) <0.01
Potassium (total) 0.8
Selenium (total) <0.0050
Sodium (total) 1.36
Sulphate 3.1
Uranium (total) <0.00020
Zinc (total) <0.040
PHYSICAL, Results (mg/L unless noted)
Alkalinity (Total, as CaCO3) 14.3
Colour 75
Conductivity 38 microS/cm
Hardness (total, as CaCO3) <12.9
pH 7.14
Total dissolved solids/TDS 44
Turbidity 0.9

As is evident in these reports, there are some elements in the water that are desirable with respect to use in a reef tank, but there are also traces of heavy metals & other bad actors. Personally I'm glad to be using RO water for drinking & RODI for my fish tank. These reports are a snapshot in time and many of the things tested for are within the tolerances considered safe for human consumption, but who knows what else is coming down the pipe? I like the added bit of insurance my RODI system provides.

[Kaman8]

When I do my water change which is weekly I add my Tetre aquasafe to the water and leave overnight and my nitrates read 5 in my tank runs from 2-5

I put seachem pure in the tap water when I was using tapa water for my reef tank, but my nitrates never go under 10.

[Kaman8]

Really is a good idea to get a water report from your supplier or have your well water professionally analyzed if you're on a well. That's the only way to know with some certainty what's in your water. TDS alone, as mentioned is just a number & tells you nothing about the elements/minerals/contaminants dissolved or undissolved in what's coming out of your tap.

I use RODI for my tank & RO water around the house for drinking, food prep, making wine, beer, soda pop etc. It's been a while since I checked the web site of my municipality to look at the latest water quality reports, but basically we have 2 main water sources here. One is a large lake (my usual source), the other is creek fed. Both have very different characteristics & numbers, the creek source being much softer with lower TDS. Occasionally, Greater Vernon Water switches off one or the other due to quality issues & everyone is fed from a single source. At the moment I'm on the alternate source for me, Duteau Creek, which is great 'cause TDS is 64 as opposed to 170 from Kalamalka Lake. Increased turbidity from spring run off has made the Kalamalka Lake source temporarily unsuitable, so everyone is on Duteau Creek water. The local paper ran an article last Friday advising folks of the switch, but if I hadn't read the paper, the only other way to find out about the change, is by the lower reading on my RODI system TDS meter when I make a batch of water.

Some dated reports from both sources follow. Shouldn't be a huge swing over the last several years, since much money has been spent to upgrade filtration to keep our water fit for human consumption. My property taxes at work! I've bolded some of the text that may be of additional interest with regard to reef keeping.

Water System: Greater Vernon Water
Source: Kalamalka Lake
Facility: Kal Lake Pumpstation
Sampling Point: Kal Lake Intake
Date: 7/14/2008
INORGANIC Results (mg/L unless noted)
Aluminum <0.050
Antimony <0.0030
Arsenic <0.0050
Barium 0.027
Boron 0.021
Cadmium <0.00010
Calcium 40.6
Chloride 5.38
Chromium <0.015
Copper <0.0030
Cyanide < 0.01
Fluoride 0.24
Iron <0.20
Lead <0.001
Magnesium 19.8
Manganese <0.0050
Mercury <0.00030
Molybdenum 0.005
Nitrate (as N) 0.069
Nitrite (as N) <0.010
Potassium 5.07
Selenium <0.0050
Sodium 18.4
Sulphate 51
Uranium 0.003
Zinc 0.011
PHYSICAL Results (mg/L unless noted)
Alkalinity (as CaCO3) 152
Colour <5 TCU
Conductivity 409 microS/cm
Hardness (as CaCO3) 183
pH 7.8
Total dissolved solids 238
Turbidity 1.0 NTU
UV Transmittance @254(%) 91%

Water System: Greater Vernon Water
Source: Duteau Creek
Facility: Headgates
Sampling Point: Headgates Cl2 bldg (1-1-SR, 5E8D)
Date of Sample: 7/19/2011
INORGANIC, Results (mg/L unless noted)
Aluminum (total) 0.114
Antimony (total) <0.0010
Arsenic (total) <0.0050
Barium (total) <0.050
Boron (total) <0.040
Cadmium (total) <0.00010
Calcium (total) <5.0
Chloride 0.21
Chromium (total) <0.0050
Copper (total) 0.0245
Cyanide (total) <0.01
Fluoride 0.13
Iron (total) 0.31
Lead (total) <0.0010
Magnesium (total) 1.23
Manganese (total) 0.02
Mercury (total) <0.00020
Molybdenum (total) <0.0010
Nitrate (as N) 0.02
Nitrite (as N) <0.01
Potassium (total) 0.8
Selenium (total) <0.0050
Sodium (total) 1.36
Sulphate 3.1
Uranium (total) <0.00020
Zinc (total) <0.040
PHYSICAL, Results (mg/L unless noted)
Alkalinity (Total, as CaCO3) 14.3
Colour 75
Conductivity 38 microS/cm
Hardness (total, as CaCO3) <12.9
pH 7.14
Total dissolved solids/TDS 44
Turbidity 0.9

As is evident in these reports, there are some elements in the water that are desirable with respect to use in a reef tank, but there are also traces of heavy metals & other bad actors. Personally I'm glad to be using RO water for drinking & RODI for my fish tank. These reports are a snapshot in time and many of the things tested for are within the tolerances considered safe for human consumption, but who knows what else is coming down the pipe? I like the added bit of insurance my RODI system provides.

I am not sure if I can get such a report from the water company here. That is really great that you can know what is in your tap water.

[Mr tap water]

I personally think 10 is ok unless your tank mainly has SPS corals

[Mr tap water]

At the end of the day no matter what Statistics you come up with ,anyone with the slightest of knowledge can see from the pictures I posted can see all is well ,i do not mean to come across argumentative I just wanted to put my point across and what I think about tds and I have no issues with people that use Ro water and probably will use it sooner or later but until then I'm quite happy the way things are running at the moment.

[Mike31154]

I am not sure if I can get such a report from the water company here. That is really great that you can know what is in your tap water.

Perhaps, but you can always check into it. I believe it's a legal requirement in Canada that these reports are publicly available.

[disc1]

Perhaps, but you can always check into it. I believe it's a legal requirement in Canada that these reports are publicly available.

But probably not in Hong Kong where the OP lives.

[disc1]

At the end of the day no matter what Statistics you come up with ,anyone with the slightest of knowledge can see from the pictures I posted can see all is well ,i do not mean to come across argumentative I just wanted to put my point across and what I think about tds and I have no issues with people that use Ro water and probably will use it sooner or later but until then I'm quite happy the way things are running at the moment.

You're right about one thing. TDS is no real measure of suitability for a reef tank. It is a great way to measure how well your RODI system is working, and if a RODI system is working it should put out pure water that you can always count on. But for any other water, not coming straight off a RODI filter or distillation head, the TDS number doesn't tell you squat about how useful it is for your tank. You could have 1000ppm TDS and still have decent water depending on what is in there. You could also have 0ppm TDS and nuke a tank if there is 0.05ppm copper in there.

[Mr tap water]

You're right about one thing. TDS is no real measure of suitability for a reef tank. It is a great way to measure how well your RODI system is working, and if a RODI system is working it should put out pure water that you can always count on. But for any other water, not coming straight off a RODI filter or distillation head, the TDS number doesn't tell you squat about how useful it is for your tank. You could have 1000ppm TDS and still have decent water depending on what is in there. You could also have 0ppm TDS and nuke a tank if there is 0.05ppm copper in there.


I totally agree with you that's why I use a conditioner that neutralises copper etc I would never add water straight from the tap to my system and the product I use must work otherwise the pictures I have showed you would not exist

[Kaman8]

I totally agree with you that's why I use a conditioner that neutralises copper etc I would never add water straight from the tap to my system and the product I use must work otherwise the pictures I have showed you would not exist

When I just started this hobby 7 years ago I was using tap water strait out the tap without using conditioner, because I haven't heard about it and I only listen to 1 lfs. He also didn't tell me that I need to test water. I also didn't know that you can do so much research on the internet. I lost so many fishes and corals back then. Just wasting my money. He also told me that I need to do wc every 3 days. Didn't told me that I need to cycle the tank.

[Kaman8]

I personally think 10 is ok unless your tank mainly has SPS corals

I changed over to distilled water. Want to start with sps after my tank upgrade. I am going to upgrade to 75 gallon.

[Mr tap water]

I changed over to distilled water. Want to start with sps after my tank upgrade. I am going to upgrade to 75 gallon.


Good luck with your upgrade the key to keeping SPS is stability

[Kaman8]

Good luck with your upgrade the key to keeping SPS is stability

I have learn from all the mistakes. Hope everything will survive with the transfer.

[Mr tap water]

I have learn from all the mistakes. Hope everything will survive with the transfer.


Just make sure you transfer a good percentage of your of your old water over it will help stabilise your new tank quicker

[mls228]

120-140 here with Shillington Pa municipal.

[Redman88]

667 last time i checked, need to do it again before i setup my RO/DI

[Themonsterisme]

Wow...my incoming tds is only 2-3...guess my water is super clean

[Kaman8]

Wow...my incoming tds is only 2-3...guess my water is super clean

That is really low and do you still use rodi?

[Themonsterisme]

That is really low and do you still use rodi?


Yes I still use RODI ...I'd rather be safe than sorry lol

[Kaman8]

Yes I still use RODI ...I'd rather be safe than sorry lol

That is true :)

[nemo2]

Would be nice everyone would post their city with their tds number. So others in the city can compare too.

Tap TDS - 15
City - Vancouver, canada

I use RO/DI water.
I get Cyanobacteria if I don't.

my membranes last a long time(or too lazy to change) :)

[Kaman8]

Would be nice everyone would post their city with their tds number. So others in the city can compare too.

Tap TDS - 15
City - Vancouver, canada

I use RO/DI water.
I get Cyanobacteria if I don't.

my membranes last a long time(or too lazy to change) :)

Yes that would be nice. I see a lot in that live in the us have it around 200. I think the water in Canada is cleaner then in the us. I never had Cyanobacteria when I was using tap water. How often do you wc?

[nemo2]

Yes that would be nice. I see a lot in that live in the us have it around 200. I think the water in Canada is cleaner then in the us. I never had Cyanobacteria when I was using tap water. How often do you wc?


Lol. Every 4 months 15%.

[Kaman8]

Lol. Every 4 months 15%.

Wow....what is your nitrate? Are you keeping corals?

[Themonsterisme]

Would be nice everyone would post their city with their tds number. So others in the city can compare too.

Tap TDS - 15
City - Vancouver, canada

I use RO/DI water.
I get Cyanobacteria if I don't.

my membranes last a long time(or too lazy to change) :)


Bradenton Florida -my tds incoming is 2

[disc1]

I wonder if some of the people reporting single digits aren't just reading the "IN" side of a dual inline TDS meter. If so, that is usually placed between the RO and DI stages. That's not the incoming water, that's water post RO but before it goes through DI.

[reelredfish]

I am at 540...man our water really does not seem bad here but I guess it is.

Would like to know those who have higher tds tap what are you getting after RO before DI?

[TTrout]

Just hooked up my RODI, it's running around 360-390.

Which is interesting because that is about the same as when I had city water, I'm on a well now close to the city I was living in with city water.

[lcs]

About 140, city water.

[CIGARSC351W]

7 but it's a private well

[E Rosewater]

I have to say these threads make me thankful for my city water. It's under 100, I get 1ppm out of the RO. I've put over 1000 gallons through my DI resin and it's still going strong.

[reef_aholic]

I am around 250-275.

[whiteshark]

In PA it was around 20-40.

Here in WI it is 130ish. I guess I'll be replacing my RO filters more often...

[dddsee]

Date: Nov. 23, 2014
Tap TDS - 16
City - Richmond, BC, canada

I use RO/DI water (0 TDS)

my membrane last 7 years and still going...

[NewMariner]

I have liquid rock for water....tds is in the 750's. Needless to say, I have to change the DI filters constantly...

[codyreed29]

I could only imagine mexico citys water probably 1000+ in this little country town 90 after ro 1 ppm

[sahin]

I'm in London, UK, the TDS of the water is around 200.