ZebraPleco.com • The complete Hypancistrus zebra resource

Right folks,

Just got home to find my TDS meter has arrived - I've been going mad with it and would like some feedback...

Tap water - 450 ppm
Rain water - 140 ppm
Condensed rainwater - 3 ppm

So - can i use rain water to lower the TDS in our breeding tanks (I've done 1 RO and 2 rainwater changes and the TDS in that tank is at 300 ppm)

If I left the lid on the water but on the skew and collected the evaporation - woudl that be ok to use?

All i'm trying to do is avoid RO - its £3.50 for 25l at our lfs (yep I know $$)
I have an RO unit in the garage that hasnt been used for about 1 year (but was still wet last time I checked) so it will probubly need a new membrane BUT we are on a water meter.

Is rainwater - or condensed water ok to use?

LOL

Having just looked and our water suppliers site - it is only 102p for a cubic meter - thats about 220 uk gallons!!

ok so even factoring in the 5:1 waste... thats a rather scary 2.8p a gallon.
25l = 5.5uk gal = 15.4p

oh forgot to add the VAT - 18p for what the store charges £3.50p for!

so even at 7:1 its about 25p for a 25l drum!

I set up the RO unit yesturday...
It had been sat for over a year - but after a flush through. It is still in perfect working order

TDS has been falling since it started running - It fell from 60ppm to 12 after the clean and flush and is now at 6ppm

I'll be using my own RO for the first water change tomorrow

Make sure you add some RO right by Kent to add the needed minerals that are taken out....I use RO right and discus essentials.....and I think it takes up the TDS by 20-40....

I'll be mixing with the 'waste' to get to the desired TDS

Just need to check what I'm aiming at as I've got to bring the tank down from 300ppm (after a few RO/rain water changes already)

Aiming for about 50 I think