distilled water - TDS meter - copper readings???

sikpupy · 08/21/2008, 05:30 PM

They say copper could be in the distilled water from storage tanks. Would my TDS meter pick that up if so?

Richfood brand shows 000 TDS's on meter, wondering how safe it is in that situation for emergency tank use, or even for a first time fill in my 20gal QT tank?

reeftreasure · 08/21/2008, 06:18 PM

Richfood brand shows 000 TDS's on meter? This is as good as it gets.

cveverly · 08/21/2008, 06:42 PM

I started my display tank and QT both with distilled water. 0 TDS and no copper.

sikpupy · 08/21/2008, 07:50 PM

so, would 000 meen there is no copper, or, safe levels of it ?

Mark426 · 08/21/2008, 08:09 PM

Copper is a tale that just wont die. Copper has not been used in the distilling process since the 70's. Has been replaced by stainless and in most plants by ceramic coated stainless. This is due to the high maintenance costs and short life using copper distillers and storage.

Flipper62 · 08/21/2008, 10:13 PM

HA..HA.......There is the point in question...Copper..??

I have had some people say that they bought RO water from their local Walmart.....SO ALL IS GOOD.............NOT!!!!

the filters were not changed for about 12 months....Plus....The water lines running to the machine.....WERE COPPER.

DO your self a favor....beter yet, your fish...get a RO/DI unit.

You can get The Ocean Reef + 1 for $199.00. from the Filter Guys..

Here is the link to the unit..http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm

This will be the best investment to your tank

sikpupy · 08/22/2008, 02:13 PM

Will definitly keep that in mind, but, still didnt answer my question

cveverly · 08/22/2008, 03:27 PM

You could contact the manufacturer of your TDS meter and ask for sure.

I used a copper test kit. I was buying 75 gallons at one time so I tested for TDS, copper and phosphates. All were 0 in distilled water. The drinking water at 10 or 12 TDS as I recall.

If I had to guess I'd say 0 TDS means no copper but I am only guessing.

sikpupy · 08/23/2008, 03:47 PM

Fair enough cveverly, thanks.

HowardW · 08/23/2008, 03:56 PM

Most store bought jugs of distilled water should be fine, and if you are getting a 0 TDS with an accurate meter you are fine. The RO machines in stores can be a different story however.

08/21/2008, 05:30 PM	#1
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	distilled water - TDS meter - copper readings??? They say copper could be in the distilled water from storage tanks. Would my TDS meter pick that up if so? Richfood brand shows 000 TDS's on meter, wondering how safe it is in that situation for emergency tank use, or even for a first time fill in my 20gal QT tank? Last edited by sikpupy; 08/21/2008 at 05:45 PM.

08/21/2008, 10:13 PM	#6
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	HA..HA.......There is the point in question...Copper..?? I have had some people say that they bought RO water from their local Walmart.....SO ALL IS GOOD.............NOT!!!! the filters were not changed for about 12 months....Plus....The water lines running to the machine.....WERE COPPER. DO your self a favor....beter yet, your fish...get a RO/DI unit. You can get The Ocean Reef + 1 for $199.00. from the Filter Guys.. Here is the link to the unit..http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm This will be the best investment to your tank __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

08/23/2008, 03:56 PM	#10
HowardW Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 1,763	Most store bought jugs of distilled water should be fine, and if you are getting a 0 TDS with an accurate meter you are fine. The RO machines in stores can be a different story however. __________________ Florida live rock addict

08/21/2008, 06:18 PM	#2
reeftreasure Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Algonquin, IL Posts: 53	Richfood brand shows 000 TDS's on meter? This is as good as it gets.

08/21/2008, 06:42 PM	#3
cveverly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Port Clinton, Oh Posts: 1,470	I started my display tank and QT both with distilled water. 0 TDS and no copper.

08/21/2008, 07:50 PM	#4
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	so, would 000 meen there is no copper, or, safe levels of it ?

08/21/2008, 08:09 PM	#5
Mark426 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,479	Copper is a tale that just wont die. Copper has not been used in the distilling process since the 70's. Has been replaced by stainless and in most plants by ceramic coated stainless. This is due to the high maintenance costs and short life using copper distillers and storage.

08/22/2008, 02:13 PM	#7
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	Will definitly keep that in mind, but, still didnt answer my question

08/22/2008, 03:27 PM	#8
cveverly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Port Clinton, Oh Posts: 1,470	You could contact the manufacturer of your TDS meter and ask for sure. I used a copper test kit. I was buying 75 gallons at one time so I tested for TDS, copper and phosphates. All were 0 in distilled water. The drinking water at 10 or 12 TDS as I recall. If I had to guess I'd say 0 TDS means no copper but I am only guessing.

08/23/2008, 03:47 PM	#9
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	Fair enough cveverly, thanks.