TDS in FOWLR

[swordstool]

I started a new 120g FOWLR 2 weeks ago. My tap water TDS is 50 ppm, RODI water is 0. I've tested the TDS in the aquarium several times over the last few days and it's 5,000-6,000! I'm using the AquaFX TDS Meter. For some reason I can't find a normal range standard for water actually IN the aquarium.

Is this high TDS in the aquarium a problem? I do have a diatom/brown algae issue for the first time ever, but I'm reading that that is common in a new FOWLR (but it never happened to me before). I'm running a Fluval FX-5 right now and just added a ****-ton of Phosguard to it last night (that's all that's in it media-wise right now, aside from some dry rock scraps).

Should I be concerned about the high TDS? Will lowering the TDS help get rid of the diatoms/brown algae?

Ammonia and Nitrite are 0, Nitrate is 20.

(PS - Not to be a *****, but I already know that I need to watch out for nitrate breakthrough from the canister hahaha!)

[Cliff]

You are going to get a very very high TDS reading on the aquarium water because anything in the water is measured as a impurity, including the salt and your nitrate & phosphate levels which will typically change and fluctuate somewhat in a new set-up.

Just stay focused on the TDS of the FW you use to make your saltwater with, and your nitrate, phosphate, dKH, Cal, Mag, and pH levels in the tank water

[swordstool]

Thanks Cliff! What should the TDS be after I mix the salt with my RODI water? I think I may not be mixing it enough.

[smaug]

Measuring tds after the water is mixed in the tank is a waste of time and will tell you nothing especially considering that it measure all the dissolved solids and nothing in particular. Just keep it checked with a quality refractometer.

[Cliff]

+1 to the above

You should not be adding any mixed salt water to your tank without first verifying the salinity is between 1.025 and 1.027 using a good quality refractometer

[swordstool]

Okay thanks guys! Yeah my salinity is usually 1.023-1.026 in the mixed water. I think I need to circulate it more before putting it in the tank.

[smaug]

Its very easy to mix it right to a number. You shouldn't be looking at a range of 1.023 to 1.026. You should pick an exact number and mix to that everytime. What tool do you use to measure salinity?