ProdigalSun
Well-Known Member
Someone gave me a TDS meter, what do I do with it? I grow in soil.
TDS Meter?
- Thread starter ProdigalSun
- Start date
navyfighter04
Active Member
You use it to check the PPM of your water...With soil use it to check the run-off after watering to see your current PPM, and you can use it while mixing up your nutrients and water to get your overall PPM.....You need more just ask....
ProdigalSun
Well-Known Member
Well, I knew it was ppm, but of what? And What do I do with the information?
parts per million it figures out how much dissolved solids is in the water. like reverse osmosis water is really low like around 5 or so ppm. tap water can range up way higher and it tells you how much metal and stuff is in the water and other things. usually tap water with higher ppm will have calcium and mag and other metals in the water. when you use fertilizers they will raise the ppm so you can get an idea of how much ferts are in the water or how much stuff is built up in your run off water. alot of ferts have a ppm chart along with the feeding schedule to give you an idea of what the ppms should be after adding their nutrients. i think with tap up to 150 ppm is pretty good the higher you get the worse it could be for your plant. then you can check how much other things your adding in like i said.
also there are EC meters which do the same thing but on a different scale i believe. i do not have an EC meter yet but i probably will after i find the funds later on down the line. probably invest in a good meter that does everything for 100-200 bucks. just make sure you keep your meters calibrated especially cheap ones if they come with the ability to be calibrated.
also there are EC meters which do the same thing but on a different scale i believe. i do not have an EC meter yet but i probably will after i find the funds later on down the line. probably invest in a good meter that does everything for 100-200 bucks. just make sure you keep your meters calibrated especially cheap ones if they come with the ability to be calibrated.
navyfighter04
Active Member
Well put Mrblu.....Perfect description on PPM....To the OP...i would RO my water or buy gallons of water if your tap is over 150 ppm...just my opinion...If you do RO your water be sure to add Cal/Mg....you willl need to.....
ProdigalSun
Well-Known Member
Ok thanks.
I can't use tap water because it smells like a swimming pool. I typically put it in 5 gallon bottles for a few days, and then it goes into my 40 gallon fish tank, which I draw from to feed the plants.
I can't use tap water because it smells like a swimming pool. I typically put it in 5 gallon bottles for a few days, and then it goes into my 40 gallon fish tank, which I draw from to feed the plants.
ProdigalSun
Well-Known Member
Thats what I was hoping for.
Trousers
Well-Known Member
Chlorine is rarely used anymore, you should find out how your water is treated. Do you drink it out of the tap?
Chloramines are much more common. They do not evaporate like chlorine.
There are nutes designed for hard water.
ProdigalSun
Well-Known Member
I dont drink the tap water, it goes through one of those Brita pitchers, or I buy it bottled.
