Conductivity

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

Many of us regularly measure nitrates and pH. Some of us, mainly the guys/gals with planted tanks, measure phosphates and iron. When people cycle tanks, it's good to know nitrites and ammonia. Some bother about hardness, especially those who want to breed soft-water fish. That's pretty much the complete spectrum of water tests commonly used.

But there is much more to water chemistry and pollution than these standard tests show: Other anions and cations, dissolved organic carbon etc.. While pollutants like nitrogenous waste have been the focus of a diversity of filter media, such as Biohome Media and Purigen or additives such as Tetra EasyBalance, the rest of water chemistry is often ignored by aquaristics companies. They want us to believe that just because we have zero nitrates, everything is fine. Let me quote Tetra's website:"The water is kept biologically healthy for up to 6 months, extending time between water changes"

There is one convenient (non-laboratory) way to measure total water pollution in you tank, and that is conductivity.

Who else here measures conductivity in their tanks?

HarleyK

 

[koliveira]

Electro conductivity meters read the amount of metals/salts disolved in water. I use an ec/tds meter to help me acuratley guage how much tap water to add to my r/o. Next I check pH.

 

[Nic]

never have never even considered it gonna do a lil research on it though

 

[HarleyK]

Electro conductivity meters read the amount of metals/salts disolved in water. I use an ec/tds meter to help me acuratley guage how much tap water to add to my r/o. Next I check pH.

Sounds great I use an EC tester.

I don't use R/O water, but I follow the conductivity in my tanks over time (compare to tap water). Naturally, my planted tank is maintained nutrient-rich and has a higher conductivity than my tank for predators, where I conduct more frequent, larger water changes.

HarleyK

 

[WyldFya]

The a ten four! Very good thing to know, especially with discus.

 

[CHOMPERS]

I never gave conductivity a thought but I like the idea. I use to have an electric TDS meter. It is basicly the same thing (using conductivity to measure total disolved solids). I wonder if I can still get one through the swimming pool industry.

 

[johnptc]

use a tds ( total disolved solids) meter,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
very handy also for adding and monitoring salt added to frdeshwater setups