Inline TDS meter vs handheld

dinger28 · 03/18/2015, 07:51 AM

Hey guys. So recently i replaced my filter cartridges and DI resin in my BRS 5 stage RO/DI system. Unfortunately I forgot to flush out the system and started filling up my 60 gallon ato container. The water last night read 002 coming in and 000 going out into the barrel from my inline tds meter. However, my handheld read 006. This morning was still the same, but my handheld was 456! Could this be a faulty handheld tds? Which one do you guys trust the most? Thanks!

Matt

dinger28 · 03/18/2015, 07:52 AM

Also, do you think my not flushing out the system hurt it by chance? Thanks again!

Mock · 03/18/2015, 07:56 AM

I am thinking faulty handheld by chance, never trusted them. If you changed all your filters and I dont think not flushing the RO membrane is enough to cause the meters to have such a wide gap in readings. If your water going in is 500 and its going through DI resin, a filter particle and a carbon block there is no way its still at 456 or so..... Regardless of the RO membrane.

FishN00b83 · 03/18/2015, 08:10 AM

was the container cleaned? I know if I just fill my brute can with rodi it's not going to read 0. it will still have residue from the last batch of salt water and read extremely high. the water coming out of the unit is indeed 0 tds though. you might just need to clean the container.

dinger28 · 03/18/2015, 09:22 AM

I didn't clean the barrel after the 50 gallon water change. Wasn't thought that I had to, but will if that could be the reason. Also, what do you suggest I clean the pickle barrel with? Thanks!

Mock · 03/18/2015, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishN00b83

was the container cleaned? I know if I just fill my brute can with rodi it's not going to read 0. it will still have residue from the last batch of salt water and read extremely high. the water coming out of the unit is indeed 0 tds though. you might just need to clean the container.

I have actually never tested the TDS of the water after just seeing that it was 0 after coming out of the RO unit. I might even have to test that. Might be on to something, yet I would not think that it would run up to 456 tds.

FishN00b83 · 03/19/2015, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinger28

I didn't clean the barrel after the 50 gallon water change. Wasn't thought that I had to, but will if that could be the reason. Also, what do you suggest I clean the pickle barrel with? Thanks!

you can clean it really good with just rodi water. just scrub it down and rinse a few times. some people use a light vinegar mix to clean it, then rinse. I haven't cleaned my top off container in a long time. I clean it when the kalk is built up on the bottom and sides.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mock

I have actually never tested the TDS of the water after just seeing that it was 0 after coming out of the RO unit. I might even have to test that. Might be on to something, yet I would not think that it would run up to 456 tds.

it reads EXTREMELY high if salt residue is on the inside.

dinger28 · 03/19/2015, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishN00b83

you can clean it really good with just rodi water. just scrub it down and rinse a few times. some people use a light vinegar mix to clean it, then rinse. I haven't cleaned my top off container in a long time. I clean it when the kalk is built up on the bottom and sides.

it reads EXTREMELY high if salt residue is on the inside.

So does that mean it is truly that high, or is the meter just reading it "wrong?" Thanks!

FishN00b83 · 03/19/2015, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinger28

So does that mean it is truly that high, or is the meter just reading it "wrong?" Thanks!

im not sure, but I would say it is truly that high. when you mix saltwater you are putting all kinds of elements and nutrients back into the rodi. so you're not looking for a low tds in saltwater, just the purified water before you add the salt mix.

Buckeye Hydro · 04/03/2015, 05:12 AM

No - you don't need to clean your DI barrel every time you use it.

Are you saying you stuck your handheld tds meter into the water in the barrel to take a reading? If so, that's at least part of the problem.

Russ

03/18/2015, 07:51 AM	#1
dinger28 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Indian Land, SC Posts: 385	Inline TDS meter vs handheld Hey guys. So recently i replaced my filter cartridges and DI resin in my BRS 5 stage RO/DI system. Unfortunately I forgot to flush out the system and started filling up my 60 gallon ato container. The water last night read 002 coming in and 000 going out into the barrel from my inline tds meter. However, my handheld read 006. This morning was still the same, but my handheld was 456! Could this be a faulty handheld tds? Which one do you guys trust the most? Thanks! Matt

03/18/2015, 07:56 AM	#3
Mock Saltwater Junkie Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sherwood, AR Posts: 669	I am thinking faulty handheld by chance, never trusted them. If you changed all your filters and I dont think not flushing the RO membrane is enough to cause the meters to have such a wide gap in readings. If your water going in is 500 and its going through DI resin, a filter particle and a carbon block there is no way its still at 456 or so..... Regardless of the RO membrane. __________________ 250g In-Wall, 75g fuge, 40g sump, 20g frag tank, Aqua Euro PS-400, RK Elite, 2x400w 14k Halides, 2 MP40s, MRC-6

03/18/2015, 08:10 AM	#4
FishN00b83 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,140	was the container cleaned? I know if I just fill my brute can with rodi it's not going to read 0. it will still have residue from the last batch of salt water and read extremely high. the water coming out of the unit is indeed 0 tds though. you might just need to clean the container. __________________ My 125 to 180 thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2525019

03/18/2015, 07:52 AM	#2
dinger28 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Indian Land, SC Posts: 385	Also, do you think my not flushing out the system hurt it by chance? Thanks again!

03/18/2015, 09:22 AM	#5
dinger28 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Indian Land, SC Posts: 385	I didn't clean the barrel after the 50 gallon water change. Wasn't thought that I had to, but will if that could be the reason. Also, what do you suggest I clean the pickle barrel with? Thanks!

04/03/2015, 05:12 AM	#10
Buckeye Hydro .Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 4,857	No - you don't need to clean your DI barrel every time you use it. Are you saying you stuck your handheld tds meter into the water in the barrel to take a reading? If so, that's at least part of the problem. Russ