Tds?!?

[JoeJoe]

Hey all I just got my Milwaukee TDS meter and am running around the house messing around with it. It appears to be already calibrated for me as it came with a piece of paper attached stating it was calibrated to 800ppm. So I go and dip the meter into my RO/DI water and it reads 0...cool! I then go and fill my sink up with drinking water and it reads around 68....good stuff. THEN......I go and dip it in my tank. Goes up.....and up....and up. I then notice no number on it and I believe in the top right a small "E". Can this be possible? Woudn't my fish and shrimp be dead if the water was above 999ppm?? I have noticed the hermits I do introduce lately do not last too long, which is why I stopped purchasing. Any ideas??

[jimbeau]

I always assumed that adding salt/calcium/trace elements/ along with fish waste would drive this number up? I have never tested it though, just an assumption...

Jim

[RobinsonFam1]

your tank water has all kinds of stuff in it, just like a lake or ocean.
when you want true pure water then it should be at or close to 0.
test some gatorade or koolade and see what you come up with, and then remember it is edible as well.

[JoeJoe]

Ahh ok whew!! I was freaking out big time!! I'm actually suprised the TDS is still at 0 in my RO/DI water...I haven't changed the cartridge or anything for like 9 months.

[yousuredo]

our water quality is so good compared to other parts of the contry that our filters should last a while.........

[sally]

I didn't think you were ever supposed to put the TDS meter in saltwater. I heard that would mess it up. If I recall I think Charles K told me that. He mentioned he put his in saltwater and he had to calibrate it again. Just my experience.

[wildemon]

Sally is correct, your instruction page will explain that salt water is not within the range of measurement.