Dirty RO/DI Water

JoeMomma · #1 10/03/2007, 06:48 PM

I created 200 gallons of RO/DI water for my set up. I added it to my tank and then added substrate and dry base rock.

I thought that getting my plumbing in order wouldn't take so long but I was wrong. Now the TDS on my tank water is at a nasty 560 ppm.

My tap water reads 90 ppm.

Do I just work with the current water assuming that cycling LR will take care of it or should I empty everything and start all over again. I want to minimize those terrible algae infestions that I've had and we all read about.

Thanks for any suggestions!

racrumrine · #2 10/03/2007, 07:09 PM

Once you add the water to the tank, the TDS will go up.

My RO/DI TDS is 000; but, when I've checked the TDS of the saltwater in the tank, it's about 425.

I would work with what you have.

Best of luck,

Roy

Jescd · #3 10/03/2007, 07:37 PM

Did you add salt yet? If you did not, and I don't think you did judging by your post, I would assume it would only go higher -ouch...best of luck!

AZDesertRat · #4 10/03/2007, 08:32 PM

You cannot measure TDS of saltwater with a normal TDS meter, its way above even the high range of 10,000. What you are seeing is the crud that was in the sand and rock. Its unavoidable since nature is not pure. You did you due diligence by using RO/DI which removed any harmful contaminants, the rest is going to happen regardless.

JoeMomma · #5 10/03/2007, 08:52 PM

Thanks guys but I haven't added salt yet. This is freshwater and the crud from the rocks and sand.

Am I still ok to add salt and start mixing. The water smells rather bad too...

AZDesertRat · #6 10/03/2007, 08:55 PM

You are fine. A few regular water changes and you will never know it.