Jynn Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 Bought some new shelves so I had to pull everything out of my fishroom to install them and get everything switched over. Somewhere in the process I lost my TDS meter. I'm wildly irresponsible. It was a pretty cheap meter in the first place and probably not awesome, so I figure I'll just get a new and better one. Any recommendations? Any brands to avoid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimp Life Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 I got mine on ebay, has worked well for me so far! http://www.ebay.com/itm/TDS-Meter-Digital-LCD-Tester-Water-Quality-Filter-Purity-Pen-Stick-0-9999-PPM-/161723114121?hash=item25a772e289:g:BwoAAOSwl8NVbWTQ That might be the one you already had, so maybe your looking for a more expensive one PlantDude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlantDude Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 I use this one http://www.amazon.com/HM-Digital-TDS-EZ-Measurement-Resolution/dp/B002C0A7ZY without any issues. Shrimp Life 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crackhead Johny Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 I use this one http://www.amazon.com/HM-Digital-TDS-EZ-Measurement-Resolution/dp/B002C0A7ZY without any issues. This is the one I have. Testing my tap water in a cup, my tap is 42ppm, or 107PPM or 152PPM or 90PPM. I'm not sure how good my TDS meter is, a swing of 300% (or 100PPM) is a little questionable to me. If this is bad then I to am looking for TDS pen recommendations. Shrimp Life 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlantDude Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 This is the one I have. Testing my tap water in a cup, my tap is 42ppm, or 107PPM or 152PPM or 90PPM. I'm not sure how good my TDS meter is, a swing of 300% (or 100PPM) is a little questionable to me. If this is bad then I to am looking for TDS pen recommendations. I have used two of them, one I broke, but I haven't seen those reading fluctuations. I saw some reviews on amazon and people are saying it's not temperature compensated, so maybe that's why you're seeing those different numbers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DETAquarium Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 I second PlantDude on the TDS-EZ meter by HM Digital. I have had mine since I started and it still works well, matches my TDS meter on my RODI unit. Shrimp Life 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crackhead Johny Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 I have used two of them, one I broke, but I haven't seen those reading fluctuations. I saw some reviews on amazon and people are saying it's not temperature compensated, so maybe that's why you're seeing those different numbers? The RO water said 6PPM today and 5PPM when I first tried the meter, so maybe I was doing something wrong trying it several times in the same cup of water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpier Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 The RO water said 6PPM today and 5PPM when I first tried the meter, so maybe I was doing something wrong trying it several times in the same cup of water. Have you ever calibrated the TDS meter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crackhead Johny Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 Have you ever calibrated the TDS meter? It said it was factory calibrated so I have not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vpier Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 It said it was factory calibrated so I have not. You need to re-calibrate. Things move, change during shipping. The cheaper pens need to be re-calibrated once in a while. Its easy, you get some 342ppm solution and if its off there is a set screw in the back. If your pen is still inconsistent then its the pen. When it comes to devices that measure water you get what you pay for. I learned that yours ago the hard way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokeshrimp Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 I was just in Amazon and there is also a 1000ppm calibration fluid. Is one more accurate than the other? Or does it all depend of the range of the pen or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimple minded Posted January 28, 2016 Report Share Posted January 28, 2016 I believe that like pH, it is better to calibrate closer to your actual observed test ranges, so 342ppm would be a better choice for freshwater aquaria and shrimping. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Vpier 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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