tds meter reading

[bekko]

Their argument is that TDS does not tell you anything about the specifics of what is going on in the pond. It's a nebulous number which is influenced by a variety of parameters and reactions. All true.

However, nearly all of those parameters and reactions which influence TDS move TDS in the same direction - up. Thus, it can be argued that TDS is a quick, easy and inexpensive test which gives you a glimpse of the forest, without focusing on any of the trees. Admittedly, the TDS number can only "speak to you" after you develop some appreciation of how TDS relates to other parameters in your system and under your typical management.

I use TDS to tell me how "old" the water is and it appears that Bob Hart's approach is similar in intent. I have a lot of small ponds and find it necessary to change water intermittently rather than continuously (it's a long story). Frankly, I keep lousy records, have a lousy memory, do not measure flow rates, and start/stop the water exchange process very haphazardly. In a matter of seconds, a TDS meter can summarize what I have done to the pond over the preceding month and tell me if I have been keeping up with the water exchanges.

Maurice and those using RO have a very different application for the TDS meter.

-steve hopkins

[andy rose]

Thanks for the advice i change roughly 100-200 gallons daily but my other option might be to purchase a ROunit i suppose i will now try and increase water changes, but for the last 8 months i have been battling against blanket weed.
So i have tried to keep the changes lower,as i have read hopefully the bakki shower will help beat this problem.

[MikeM]

Andy: Interesting about the algae problem. I wish you had a 12 month record of pond parameters (or even just nitrate/nitrite readings) you could share correlated with the algae growth. Eight months is a long time to go. There are so many factors involved in algae growth that I do not believe reliable advice can be given to solve a particular case ... just all the same stuff that works a lot of the time, but not always. I'm wondering if your small daily water replacements are helping the algae growth ... a fresh supply of micro-nutrients and calcium without a significant reduction in nitrogen. And, I'm wondering what happened about 9 months ago to bring on the algae. ... not really on topic, I guess.

[andy rose]

I believe a lot of people had problems with blanket weed last year,mine would grow up to six feet in a 24 hour period so i had one hell of a battle .
Blocked up bottom drains etc
My pond has two electronic controllers but they were of no use and tried several chemicals.It happened with the heavy feeding of summer.
I have now won the battle with the EA product (very impressive).
Very soon the Bakki Tower will be up and running so i am hoping this will do as people have reported and drop my nitrates and control the weed for me.
The ammonia and nitrite readings are allways ok.Whenever i test with as i said before zero ammonia and a touch of nitrite.
The fish are also in good health and enjoy eating as much as i put in.
Have done a large water change today during maintainance so i will take a TDS reading in the morning.

[Maurice]

With readings that far apart, water changes are the way to go.

Get within 30/40 between suppply and pond water, then if you're still not happy, the only way to go is RO.
Maurice.

[andy rose]

While fitting my new bakki shower today i cleaned out one of my 2nd filters to put the pump for the shower in the bottom of the filter.
When empty of water i removed some of my matting only to find a large peice resting on the bottom of the filter blocking the drain hole.It was covered in muck so gave it a clean completed my new pipe work and refilled.
Once the pond was up to the correct level i took another reading and it is now at 650mg/l.
I will be more carefull when replacing media next time but i have now found what a great tool the meter is for telling what the pond is doing,in terms of how clean it is .The filter was only cleaned on 22/10/04.
Will continue to change water to get the reading down.
Bakki shower is now working but i have turned it off though until i can cover it up to keep the noise down .Has anyone one got any good ideas on sound proofing!

[Bob Hart]

Andy,

Nice when you find a part reason isnt it, bet that made you smile and shake your head at the same time!

I cant say for sure whether it was the Bakki, but I havent got any blanket weed at all and didnt have all last year. I'd battled with the stuff prior to fitting my shower, but also last year I added 150 litres of K1 and also increased the main filter turnover by 20% - so was it just the bakki???????

Mine is on an outdoor pond and is covered in triple wall poly carbonate. A half inch gap at the top of each side to let it breathe and of course in the Summer it acts as a greenhouse. Couple of pictures for you, mine is only 3-tiers high with 20kg BHM in each tray.

Cant seem to load one of the pictures, it's saying I've already loaded it on a "Bakki Temp Loss" thread, so wont let me load it again. Anyone got any idea's here how I get round this issue?????
Andy - if you look for this thread, you will see the picture I mean, Bakki covered in poly carbonate.

[andy rose]

The good thing about this hobby is its non stop learning.And after a long time of keeping koi i still made a silly mistake with the matting.
I am now thinking of cleaning my four filters, four times a year and will also increase water changes.
One dealer i by chemicals from has put in writing to keep your precious "mature water" and change as little as possible, funny that wonder what his "TDS" reading is .
I have learned there is a lot more to water than the usual tests and will run my pond to the "TDS" meter in future.
Another small chapter in koi keeping is now complete onto the next i suppose.