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I am posting this to share my experiences and also hopefully answer some questions about this all encompassing parameter.
I purchased a TDS meter (Hanna Primo) about 3 years ago when I decided to undertake the task of breeding L-183 Starlight plecos. I knew I needed soft water to get them to breed so I figured it would help. Now after three years and keeping TDS ~100ppm they breed pretty prolifically.
I used the meter on my high tech 37g because I have soft water species in there (L.Pantanal, various eriocaulons, tonninas, syngonanthus, etc.). When I first began testing on the tank my TDS were in the low 100's. Then I had some deficiencies appear and started dosing GH booster and Epsom Salt. Over the course of following the correct dosing amounts for NPK, GH booster and Epsom the TDS rose to almost 700ppm! I know its due to the ferts and salt but WOW that was a shock.
All of the plants are doing wonderful so I have no specific issue I'm just trying to figure out the best possible way to determine actual water hardness in the tank. I hate liquid kits and I do not have a high end liquid kit for hardness. I would also assume that since the TDS is effected by dosing the GH would also be affected and perhaps also the KH because of the salt???
I purchased a TDS meter (Hanna Primo) about 3 years ago when I decided to undertake the task of breeding L-183 Starlight plecos. I knew I needed soft water to get them to breed so I figured it would help. Now after three years and keeping TDS ~100ppm they breed pretty prolifically.
I used the meter on my high tech 37g because I have soft water species in there (L.Pantanal, various eriocaulons, tonninas, syngonanthus, etc.). When I first began testing on the tank my TDS were in the low 100's. Then I had some deficiencies appear and started dosing GH booster and Epsom Salt. Over the course of following the correct dosing amounts for NPK, GH booster and Epsom the TDS rose to almost 700ppm! I know its due to the ferts and salt but WOW that was a shock.
All of the plants are doing wonderful so I have no specific issue I'm just trying to figure out the best possible way to determine actual water hardness in the tank. I hate liquid kits and I do not have a high end liquid kit for hardness. I would also assume that since the TDS is effected by dosing the GH would also be affected and perhaps also the KH because of the salt???