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BrokeCurmudgeon 
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 Topic: TDS meter questions
Posted: August 19 2004 at 9:46am |
I have just ordered a WaterGeneral (Model: RO 6100+DI) RO DI unit from EBAY. I would like to get a TDS meter also. Is the below described TDS meter worthy of purchase or are there better ones available? I know that there is wealth of knowledge and experience in WMAS so your input will be greatly appreciated.
Description: "This brand new TDS meter measures water quality, total dissolved solids, TDS, in water or liquid solution, it has high operating limit from 0 to 9990 ppm at 1 ppm resolution. Pre-calibrated, no calibration is required to operate, but can be recalibrated. Accurate and reliable."
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Abandon hope, all ye who enter here. - Dante
Riverton, Utah
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ssilcox
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 10:44am |
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I actually have that exact one. It seems to work fine for me
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Carl
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 10:58am |
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Waste of $ in my opinion. You won't push the RO's capability if it will only be used for your hobby. Hence, you'll get 10x the life out of the filters and membrane. I would just get in the habit of changing it out periodically. But, if you feel that it's needed....
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In Syracuse
"I believe that forgiving them is God's function. Our job is simply to arrange the meeting." - Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf
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ssilcox
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 11:05am |
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I thought it was fun to test alot of different water to compare. I.e. tap water in the house vs. my ro/di, water at work, bottled water, etc. Besides, its only like $20
Edited by ssilcox
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Adam Haycock
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 11:16am |
I found mine quite usefull when I discovered my LFS sold my tap water instead of RO water. The RO/DI filter at the LFS had been overworked and the filters were useless. The problem was fixed shortly after my discovery  .
A TDS meter will help you push the limits of the filters and get the most life out of them. This will pay for the cost of a TDS meter in the long run.
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BrokeCurmudgeon
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 11:31am |
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My wife hates the taste of tap water (As a kid, I have drunk out of cow tracts in the dry stream bed. So much for my tastes...) so like many other people, we buy bottled water. I buy RO water from a LFS. I have used this as justification for not having to buy bottled water in order to have the convenience of RO DI water in my home as well as RO water for my slimy Friends. I would be interested in testing other water sources just to know. Because of my small tank sizes and the amount of RO water I purchase, there is not a financial justification. If I were in this hobby for practical reasons I would not be in this hobby! But, a fool and his money are soon parted.
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Abandon hope, all ye who enter here. - Dante
Riverton, Utah
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ssilcox
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 11:37am |
My wife didnt like the fact that I spent money on an RO filter. Until she tasted the water. Now she is thrilled. 
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Adam Haycock
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 11:50am |
I would buy another RO filter just for the water. I can hardly stomach tap water now. It tastes like swimming pool water 
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reptoreef
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 12:03pm |
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Broke, I've got the same system(600DINT) this system is quite impressive and pretty simple to install.
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www.captivereefing.com
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jfinch
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 12:59pm |
Those cheap meters will let you know when it's time to change out your filters, but don't take their numbers as truth. And it'll increase your membrane life if you use soft water for input.
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BrokeCurmudgeon
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 1:48pm |
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Jfinch, what would you suggest?
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Abandon hope, all ye who enter here. - Dante
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Adam Haycock
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 2:46pm |
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Mine has an error of +/- 10. Not too bad.
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jfinch
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 2:56pm |
A cheap meter will work just fine what you want  . I use a $500 meter here at work to check my RO water... it's very accurate, but not needed.
Actually if you're really cheap, I'd just check the RO water with your calcium test kit. It shouldn't take more then one drop to cause the color change.
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jfinch
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 3:01pm |
+/- 10 ppm? You might not know when your DI runs out...
My tap water: 300 ppm TDS
Typical RO outlet: 10 - 20 ppm
Typical DI outlet: <1 ppm
Probably doesn't matter anyway.
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BrokeCurmudgeon
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 3:02pm |
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so one drop will change the colour but what does that tell me as far as TDS?
Edited by BrokeCurmudgeon
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jfinch
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 3:12pm |
It doesn't tell you how much you have, but it does tell you that there isn't very much. If it ever takes more then one drop it's time to change RO membrane. I just mention this because I figure most people already have calcium test kits. If you want to go really cheap, just have someone else check it for you at the monthly meetings . Bring a sample of your water in a ziplock bag and I'll take it to work, test it, and let you know.
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BrokeCurmudgeon
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Posted: August 19 2004 at 3:15pm |
Sound great! Thanks for the info....I am Cheap or at least that is what my wife says. Thanks to all for their input!
Fred
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Abandon hope, all ye who enter here. - Dante
Riverton, Utah
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