Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Vinny on July 17, 2006, 08:29:54 am
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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!
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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.
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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. 8)
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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.
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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. 8)
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! :D ;D
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screw the meter, where can I get a case a beer for in Canada for $25.00 8)
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.
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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.
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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?
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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. 8)
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.
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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! ;) ;D
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! :D