Anybody use a TDS meter?

[Vinny]

I was thinking about picking up a TDS meter for my pool and tub (mostly tub though).

I was thinking about getting a Hana TDS-4 meter that can read up to 9990 PPM TDS. It seems fairly inexpensive to have but would not want to waste my money on a piece of ----!

I was wondering if you do use a TDS meter, what do you think of it,

Thanks!

[nicker]

ID also like to know about that. I currently have test strps that I use.  But I do not like test strips.  For a quick test they are OK.  I prefer to use the Taylor Liquid test kits.  Much more accurite and easier to read.  I currently have liquid test kits to test the Clorine, PH, Alk and hardness.  TDS Would be nice.

The test kid you discribe, whats is it about?  I have never heard of it.

[windsurfdog]

Hey Vinster,

How much are you looking at for the meter?  I know you change your water every 3-4 months so I'm kinda surprised that you would see the need for the meter for your tub.  For me, TDS is a non-issue with my 4 month water change regimen.  Now for your pool, do you change water in it if TDS is high?  I'm not a pool guy so please forgive my naivete.

[Vinny]

It's actually a meter.

Apparently you just dip it into water and it'll read the TDS of it.

I would assume that every so often you need to calibrate it using a known TDS level. I was planning on buying that also.

I don't know how helpful knowing TDS would be to some people but it is a missing link in my water care especially for my tub. It seems that my water starts misbehaving (mostly foam but fizzing too) at the 1 1/2 month mark. My water comes out of the tap with low calcium and alkalinity and a PH of 6.8. I have no clue what it's TDS reading - apparently the water is from underground aquifiers so there may be a lot of dissolved "stuff" in it.

[Vinny]

Hey Vinster,

How much are you looking at for the meter?  I know you change your water every 3-4 months so I'm kinda surprised that you would see the need for the meter for your tub.  For me, TDS is a non-issue with my 4 month water change regimen.  Now for your pool, do you change water in it if TDS is high?  I'm not a pool guy so please forgive my naivete.

The meter is about $20 with another $5 for the calibration solution. I don't want to waste my money on a useless device, I don't have a problem buying it and I'm sure once I get my water down pat - TDS out of tap is __ PPM, after adding dichlor it goes up ___ TDS ... I won't be using it much. Heck, I will pay $50 for a Taylor kit because of it's usefulness and I go sometimes a week without testing PH and chlorine since I "know" how my tub behaves.

I'm curious about the TDS since I have never gotten to that 3 month mark except for this water change. BUT I haven't been using the tub that often (once every week or two) and I still get fizzy water and foam.

I keep my calcium between 150 and 200 and my PH between 7.2 (sometimes dips to 6.8 ) and 7.8 and I don't check alkalinity as my PH stays pretty steady - it drifts down slowly (month) so I assume my alkalinity is OK.

As for the pool, I have to drain about 1/4 of it every September to winterize it. I don't think most pools in a cool environment have  too much of a problem with TDS since they get winterized.

Just looking to justify the $25 vs buying a case of beer!

[nicker]

screw the meter, where can I get a case a beer for in Canada for $25.00  

I hear you on the TDS, lately my water has not been what it use to be now mind you some of my chemicle brands have changed.    

[Vanguard]

Just have your dealer test it if you need to find out your number.  By changing your water so often, TDS should really not be an issue.

[drewstar]

Hey vinny, it sounds like a neat idea to be able to test your own water for TDS when ever you want.   For $25. I 'd be interested if it works.

I wonder, what method do the pro's use in thier shops?

I found this article, http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/rhf/feature/index.php

Which talks about how these meters work and what they will and will not measure.

Are these appropriate for a hot tub?

[wmccall]

Hey Vinster,

How much are you looking at for the meter?  I know you change your water every 3-4 months so I'm kinda surprised that you would see the need for the meter for your tub.  For me, TDS is a non-issue with my 4 month water change regimen.  Now for your pool, do you change water in it if TDS is high?  I'm not a pool guy so please forgive my naivete.

If it was inexpensive it might be interesting to try. I also change my water every 3- 4 months.  But I'm a proponent of partial changes to extend that life.  I frequently remove 75-100 gallons and refill in cold weather.  I'd be curious to see how much that actually effects TSD levels.

[Vinny]

Hey vinny, it sounds like a neat idea to be able to test your own water for TDS when ever you want.   For $25. I 'd be interested if it works.

I wonder, what method do the pro's use in thier shops?

I found this article, http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/rhf/feature/index.php

Which talks about how these meters work and what they will and will not measure.

Are these appropriate for a hot tub?

Thanks! Interesting article - I would think that what ever is used for aquariums would be good for tubs, even the Taylor kit.

After reading the article, I am not surprised to see what it doesn't read - but I didn't know how a TDS meter works.

It would seem that anything in the water (ex: chloramines) that aren't charged either way won't read -I would imagine a tub full of ozone (if that's possible) would read extemely high in TDS - good thing I turned mine off!

I know that when I went to Leslie's Pools years ago when I first opened my pool they tested for TDS using a meter and it wasn't a lab quality meter at that.

I guess ultimately it will read some of the TDS in the tub but not all. After reading that article, I doubt it will give a true reading of TDS ... OK, it's time to buy that case of beer!