Canadian tire TDS meter

mike31154 · #1 01-25-2009, 10:54 PM

Don't forget that depending on where you are in Vernon/Coldstream the source of your water will be different. Duteau Creek source is known for turbidity issues, but my water comes from the North Kal Lake intake. Good numbers for calcium/magnesium and pH isn't bad either. According to the Greater Vernon Water stats, the TDS at the North Kal Lake intake as of 14 July 08 was 238. Obviously there's some filtration/treatment downstream of that.

Additional numbers:
Hardness (CaCO3) 152
pH 7.8
Nitrate 0.069
Magnesium 9.8
Calcium 40.6

Of course these numbers are subject to change, but I would think Kal Lake is pretty stable as compared to Duteau Creek. Check the Greater Vernon Services site for info on the other sources. And I'm pretty sure the instruments used to tabulate these numbers are more accurate than anything available to the average aquarist.

new but handy · #2 01-25-2009, 11:02 PM

thats why I said up east hill. I know my water is terrible! I haven't drank it since I bought the house 3 years ago. 238 is not bad the max level for drinking water is 500ppm in canada. says health canada. (on my tds meter)!
I have to go tow a friend out of the ditch now. have fun

Ripwoop · #3 01-25-2009, 11:52 PM

"New but handy" I think that name was pretty close to what C tire's one was...not sure might have read up on the net and it's ringing the wrong bell..Anyway I would be willing to get one if some one would be willing to compare with a "high" grade one for accuracy. Any takers ?

Rob

new but handy · #4 01-26-2009, 12:56 AM

I was just in there looking for a rope to tow a friend out of the ditch. I looked for the tds but I didn't see it. I would like to compare mine with a different one as well just for fun.

awa1979 · #5 01-26-2009, 01:22 AM

I bought one off ebay for 5 bucks last summer and tested it against a aquarium grade one, and the result was the same.

Take off the aquarium name and price comes down.

Timers are the same, can be found 1/2 the price at normal stores vs the aquarium stores.

Ripwoop · #6 01-26-2009, 02:14 AM

Hmm..interesting I'll be making a trip to C-Tire to crab one of those. I'll let you know what the name is of it. OHHHH crap!!!! *BONKS HEAD* very hard!!!! sorry guys !! it was in walmart ..big sigh... if you walk in the main doors it's in the far left back corner area. second isle back i believe. Not sure when the next time I'm heading in but i will get one asap.

justinl · #7 01-26-2009, 07:50 AM

oka yeah, i wasn't clear with my previous post. That's exactly what i meant. i know the aquarium label makes everything a lot cheaper... that's why half the hobby is dedicated to DIY and other ways to avoid buying things from the lfs at all cost. I would also like to see several comparison trials done on tap water of differing TDS levels to be sure of both precision and accuracy. i would be fantastic not to have to buy those ridiculously priced tds meters at the lfs.