aqua-ed Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 How can you tell if water is pure enough to be used in a saltwater tank? I have an ion-exchange filter in my classroom that I use to purify my water for labs. I have been using it to top off my nano tank with no problems, but that tank only has a few softies. Does anyone know enough about ion exchange to tell me if the water is good enough? I am going to be filling my 55g soon and was wondering if that water is safe. Thanks! -Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I can't say much for ion exchange. But a simple TDS meter will tell you if the water has any solids left in it after filtering. They are pretty cheap, my Hanna handheld one was 20 shipped off ebay. I would think an RO filter would be more effective than a simple ion exchange. I think the ion exchange would be similar to de-ionization. Just a guess though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Ion exchange filters are just another name for deionizing filters. They run out quickly if there is not an RO in line first, but will work for most practical purposes. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 I know Frank on the board just runs a DI and thats it. Look at his tank seems to be doing well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 DI alone works fine if the water starts out okay to begin with, but there are things that the DI alone can't remove. Just because it works ok today doesn't mean that it'll be ok tomorrow. RO/DI for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 I just changed my pre-filter and carbon filter...they were nasty after 6 months! In 30 minutes of running my DI...1/8th of the resin had started changing color...got to love Newberg Water. Check your TDS frequently! If you filters require changing often...then you know you'll have to keep up to keep clean water! Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqua-ed Posted October 18, 2008 Author Share Posted October 18, 2008 Okey Dokey, also part of being a science teacher I happen to have Vernier Conductivity probes that I can use to test TDS. What is a "good" value? I assume zero is best, but is there a useable range? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 I am not sure on usability but my TDSs run about 4 to 5 coming out of my unit. Not bad when the water going in is over 100:eek: I do want to change all of my filters but have been real lazyDOH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Over 100! That is nuts! Here in Oregon City the TDS from the tap is right around 20. That was still enough to cause a hair algae problem. Once I switched to a RO/DI unit, the hair algae has been going away, and it is almost gone. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barelycuda Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Ya Vancouver water SUCKS. I have tested mine at 113 from the tap. Vancouver also has high levels of phosphates in the water. I found that out the hard way when my DI resin expired and I had hair algae explosion that I am still trying to get out... Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.