I've been thinking about getting one for years... but then I think I need a pH meter first... but then.... Glad to see one that somebody is happy with.
Thank you for that succinct explanation for using TDS meter. I have one to test tanks and had no idea what the heck I was reading and panicked when meter background was red. I tested with API and all is ok. Very helpful video. Thanks
I just got my TDS meter. I ordered it from Amazon. It was before I saw this video though. I'm so thankful that I picked one up with all the tanks I have. This will make my life easier and will save me so much money on test strips and kits. I use tetra 5 in 1 easy strips for a more general idea. I use my API master kit when I want a exact reading. When I test for ammonia I only use API. I do not how ever like their ammonia strips. They read ammonia no matter what.
Great video really informative and sensible advice. I have used TDS meters for year for a quick test on heating and chilled water system quality , I think your advice is bang on 👍
Like you said, they're good for a baseline reading on home water. The problem with TDS is that not all ions have the same conductivity. For example, sodium chloride is almost twice as conductive as sodium bicarbonate. So comparing TDS from two different sources is often pointless. People need to read their water report to find out what ions are present.
I've been using a Truncheon brand TDS for a couple of years, if the TDS is too high I don't bother with further testing I just do a water change. I use a digital PH meter as well and they save me heaps of maintenance time, well worth the investment.
The instructions just make note that it is factory calibrated but good point as I'm not sure how long until it may need to be recalibrated. The one I'm using is definitely an entry level model however regardless of which one people use if you want to be super accurate I'd always have 2 to verify calibration is correct.
I think the most important point here is that a TDS meter by itself tells you virtually nothing apart from what the total amount of dissolved solids are in the water in parts per million. It will not tell you what is causing that reading; as you say it could be fertilizer or is could be nitrite or anything else. The good thing is that it takes 10 seconds to get a reading. I use mine daily at feeding time and that way I know if the parameters in my water have changed drastically. Even that doesn't really tell me much except that the water parameters are stable. If you test every day and get a reading of 150 - 160 but then find one day that it has gone up to perhaps 250 over 24 hours it's a good indication that something is wrong. That's the point you get the test kit out.
You just awnsered tons of my questions! Thanks good stuff. I did want to hear how do i raise the tds of my ro water before i do a change? Its 0 ppm when i add now. 72 planted high lights and co2. Do i want the tank at 150 to 180 like yours?
Tells me when to do water changes especially on my shrimp tanks. My other tanks get 50% weekly but shrimp are different so when it gets above 250 I make a change. It knocks it back down to about 175-180. It also alerts me to tanks that need changes sooner than others as I try to break up water changes over several days.
Nice video. I've been in the market and this video explained it's uses very clearly. I"m keeping African Cichlids and want to know all the relevant water parameters. I used your link and added it to the cart. Thanks
My tap water is 1200. No wonder my tanks are starting off bad right off the bat. Tank that I’ve been having issues with is 1600. Fish were removed and safe. Getting it in balance now
I was wondering what I need to do I have the Master API test kit and when I test my aquariums the results are inaccurate and can't have those results. Is there an aquarium digital tester?
My town tap water comes out like R.O. water but with 1.5 ppm chlorine. I bought a TDS meter to confirm how soft my water is. I haven't used it since because I added chemicals to raise my KH, GH and pH which I use API's liquid test kits for. After getting those reading dialed in my TDS readings don't fluctuate. So for me it was kind of a waste getting one.
Yea not everyone will get continued value out of them but at least you confirmed your water is what you thought it was. Would have sucked to think it was so soft and it really wasn't. Thanks for watching!
i got 220 g African cichlid and got a meter and on my ro its say 50 on tap say 400 and in aquarium it says 820 ppm I'm very confused as i just did a big water change yesterday and it looks very clean and clear and stable so how much ppm i should make another water change at 1200ppm ? thx for the help :)
I am a new aquarium owner, less than a year. i bought a ph meter and a tds meter, I have a tropical tank. 300 litres. I have just checked my ph and it is 7.7 but the tds is reading 410, I checked my tap water and it reads 320. I only changed 50% of the water 2 days ago. I have no plants in the tank. Should I be adding something else other than the tapsafe solution I add when changing water.
There’s typically no reason to add anything to your water besides dechlorinater (tap safe) unless you’re fish aren’t doing well so you need to adjust ph, hardness, etc or if you adding minerals for plants or shrimp etc
@@admincore6841 I know it's late and I expect that you have worked it out but - the display in the meter is in three digits. The highest reading it can show is 999. If your actual water is above 999, let's say it's 1460 the meter cannot show that so it will display 146 and the X10 will flash showing that your reading is 146 multiplied by 10, 1460. If your meter is showing 315 X 10 it means that your actual TDS is 3150.
All of you continued support is appreciated! More Quick Tips Here: ruclips.net/video/haD2DPgBQ8o/видео.html
Finally, TDS explained just how I needed to hear it.
The best explanation I’ve come across, trying to understand parameters for planted shrimp tanks. Thanks!
I've been thinking about getting one for years... but then I think I need a pH meter first... but then....
Glad to see one that somebody is happy with.
Thank you for that succinct explanation for using TDS meter. I have one to test tanks and had no idea what the heck I was reading and panicked when meter background was red. I tested with API and all is ok. Very helpful video. Thanks
A very useful tool for any fish room. 👍
I just got my TDS meter. I ordered it from Amazon. It was before I saw this video though. I'm so thankful that I picked one up with all the tanks I have. This will make my life easier and will save me so much money on test strips and kits. I use tetra 5 in 1 easy strips for a more general idea. I use my API master kit when I want a exact reading. When I test for ammonia I only use API. I do not how ever like their ammonia strips. They read ammonia no matter what.
Yea hopefully this will reduces your use of some of not all the test strips and use the master kit when you need a true more specific reading
Great info. Our well water is very hard. Going to have to get one. Thanks for posting.
I've been on the fence on getting one of these for awhile now. But now I think I'll get one.
I don't think you'll be disappointed, they're nice to have around and simple to use
Thank you. Never heard of this meter. Seems like it gives a good warning of problems brewing in your tank
Thanks for watching. Yea, it's a nice little gadget to have.
Great video really informative and sensible advice. I have used TDS meters for year for a quick test on heating and chilled water system quality , I think your advice is bang on 👍
Just purchased a meter. Let's go
Great subject and thinking about getting one myself 💪👍
Nice we have the same tds pen! Stoked to hear you at 7! Not gonna lie, I tested my drinking water for a week or so after getting it 😂😂
Same lol. Wish I hadn't because it's always in the red haha
Do I need a ec meter as well? Or just tds meter would be fine?
What should be the TDS for high quality meth? Asking for a friend...
😂 😂 😂 😂 😂
I have almost added one to several orders, but never picked one up. Looks like it could be a useful tool to have
Like you said, they're good for a baseline reading on home water. The problem with TDS is that not all ions have the same conductivity. For example, sodium chloride is almost twice as conductive as sodium bicarbonate. So comparing TDS from two different sources is often pointless. People need to read their water report to find out what ions are present.
I've been using a Truncheon brand TDS for a couple of years, if the TDS is too high I don't bother with further testing I just do a water change. I use a digital PH meter as well and they save me heaps of maintenance time, well worth the investment.
Makes sense, most of the time no mater what the issue is a good water change is the right place to start. Appreciate you watching Tom!
This is all news to me. Thanks for teaching
Thanks for stopping by and supporting as always Ron
Sounds like a great tool. I'll definitely get one.
It's been great for me, appreciate you watching
Great video as usual Ryan. Does that little handheld meter ever need calibrated? Does it talk about that in the instructions?
The instructions just make note that it is factory calibrated but good point as I'm not sure how long until it may need to be recalibrated. The one I'm using is definitely an entry level model however regardless of which one people use if you want to be super accurate I'd always have 2 to verify calibration is correct.
I think the most important point here is that a TDS meter by itself tells you virtually nothing apart from what the total amount of dissolved solids are in the water in parts per million. It will not tell you what is causing that reading; as you say it could be fertilizer or is could be nitrite or anything else.
The good thing is that it takes 10 seconds to get a reading. I use mine daily at feeding time and that way I know if the parameters in my water have changed drastically. Even that doesn't really tell me much except that the water parameters are stable. If you test every day and get a reading of 150 - 160 but then find one day that it has gone up to perhaps 250 over 24 hours it's a good indication that something is wrong. That's the point you get the test kit out.
Great information to know Ryan💦
What the besttds reading on aquarium..
How would u lower tds
You just awnsered tons of my questions! Thanks good stuff. I did want to hear how do i raise the tds of my ro water before i do a change? Its 0 ppm when i add now. 72 planted high lights and co2. Do i want the tank at 150 to 180 like yours?
Subbed for a fellow Central Floridian
Thanks Kyle. Appreciate that, local support is awesome!
Can't hurt to get one👍👍👍👍
Hey bro do you get a kick on masters kit as well? Want buy them but want to get you yours, or is it not worth it
Hi I have a fahaka pufferfish may I know the water codntions for it
picked one up when i ordered a RO system (tds meter keeps track of the membrane efficiency) when u use RO u got to have a tds.
Makes complete sense, have to make sure its doing it's job and know when to replace filters. Thanks for watching
Tells me when to do water changes especially on my shrimp tanks. My other tanks get 50% weekly but shrimp are different so when it gets above 250 I make a change. It knocks it back down to about 175-180. It also alerts me to tanks that need changes sooner than others as I try to break up water changes over several days.
Sir how about salt u put in aquarium ??tds quite increase if put salt
Nice video. I've been in the market and this video explained it's uses very clearly. I"m keeping African Cichlids and want to know all the relevant water parameters. I used your link and added it to the cart. Thanks
Glad the video helped and I appreciate the support methodical!
My tap water is 1200. No wonder my tanks are starting off bad right off the bat. Tank that I’ve been having issues with is 1600. Fish were removed and safe. Getting it in balance now
I was wondering what I need to do I have the Master API test kit and when I test my aquariums the results are inaccurate and can't have those results. Is there an aquarium digital tester?
My town tap water comes out like R.O. water but with 1.5 ppm chlorine. I bought a TDS meter to confirm how soft my water is. I haven't used it since because I added chemicals to raise my KH, GH and pH which I use API's liquid test kits for. After getting those reading dialed in my TDS readings don't fluctuate. So for me it was kind of a waste getting one.
Yea not everyone will get continued value out of them but at least you confirmed your water is what you thought it was. Would have sucked to think it was so soft and it really wasn't. Thanks for watching!
i got 220 g African cichlid and got a meter and on my ro its say 50 on tap say 400 and in aquarium it says 820 ppm I'm very confused as i just did a big water change yesterday and it looks very clean and clear and stable so how much ppm i should make another water change at 1200ppm ? thx for the help :)
You are suppose to lecture in South Africa at a University and teach these idiots some fish facts. Your videos are awesome♥
TDS meters cannot replace testing with a proper test kit. A TDS is just an early warning device, most of the time.
But what are you supposed to do if your TDS is high in your tank, mine is over 500. Even if I do a water change, it stays over 500. 🤷🏻♀️
I am a new aquarium owner, less than a year. i bought a ph meter and a tds meter, I have a tropical tank. 300 litres. I have just checked my ph and it is 7.7 but the tds is reading 410, I checked my tap water and it reads 320. I only changed 50% of the water 2 days ago. I have no plants in the tank. Should I be adding something else other than the tapsafe solution I add when changing water.
There’s typically no reason to add anything to your water besides dechlorinater (tap safe) unless you’re fish aren’t doing well so you need to adjust ph, hardness, etc or if you adding minerals for plants or shrimp etc
My Goldfish Aquarium water TDS value is 460, is this okay or not?
42 is good or bd in fish tank
Interesting, ive looked at these but wasn’t sure how helpful it would be, might invest a few pounds and get one
what is the X10 means
Sorry I''m not understanding what the X10 is in reference to
@@WildFishTanks times 10 my reading is 315 x10
@@admincore6841 I know it's late and I expect that you have worked it out but - the display in the meter is in three digits. The highest reading it can show is 999. If your actual water is above 999, let's say it's 1460 the meter cannot show that so it will display 146 and the X10 will flash showing that your reading is 146 multiplied by 10, 1460.
If your meter is showing 315 X 10 it means that your actual TDS is 3150.
Ood knowledge to keep your fish.
Zerowater pitchers come with a meter and drops the water tds to 0
I have to buy a TDS Metre.
It comes in handy for sure
My tap water in Poland is about 380ppm
I have to keep my Discus at tds 20.
that seems impossible to me lol, one day I'll mess with RO
My tap water is 500ppm and my tank is 400ppm. That might be the reason why my plants are not thriving. Should have used RO from now on...
Now you know atleast
Just for anyone out there I would pickup tds calibration solution to assure that your meter is calibrated
I dipped mine into my tank and shut off. Some are semi submersible some not be warned
You can use it for both your fish tanks and drinking water, just don't drink the water you used for testing.
Why on earth are you drinking 84 degree water? :D