Tds

[Rorie]

I am running an RO system, which gives me TDS or around 5. I then add minerals to the RO water which, after 24 hours of aerating, gives a TDS of around 60. I would like my discus bare tank to have this figure for fertilising the eggs.

BUT, the TDS is around 130 ish. I can see it drop a little after a water change - about 30-50% - but then it seems to creep back up. How can i keep the TDS down? What pushes it up?

 

[ian]

is the TDS 60 or 130??

A TDS of 60 would be fine surely?

just on a side note, my TDS was 600 before i swapped to RO!

 

[Rorie]

TDS is 60 after i mix in minerals to RO. But my tank is still 130!

 

[ian]

It does take a fair while to get the mix of RO to tap totally changed over. Some say a total of 6 months! Mine has been about a month now and the GH/KH are now steady. I'm not sure what my TDS is though. How long have you been adding the RO?

 

[StandbySetting]

Nitrate and other inorganics as well as organics contribute towards TDS if I am right in thinking.

 

[blue acara]

The nitrate produced by your fish will be raising your TDS. Certain rocks will also raise your TDS. A TDS of 130 is decent for discus. How often are you doing water changes and how much are you taking out at a time. Test your TDS before a water change then do a large water change...say 75%, then test your water. 2 75% wc a week is a good amount if you have the time.