New nano set up.

[Zoidburg]

I don't know if the aquarium shops have calibration solution.

 

What I do know is that it's usually recommended to calibrate the meters using the same brand as the meter. I have an HMZ EZ TDS meter and HMZ calibration solution that's at 342 ppm.

[Sonnycbr]

Thanks again zoid.  I googled how to calibrate my TDS-3 meter and it involves turning a small screw in the back of the meter. I’ve checked the meter and there’s no screw in the hole. I’m going to return it and try the new meter. 

[Zoidburg]

If there is a hole, then usually there is a tiny screw. It's the ones without holes that can't be calibrated. At least, that has been my understanding.

 

An eye glass repair kit should have a screw driver or flat head small enough to turn the screw that is used inside of the TDS meters.

[Sonnycbr]

I’ve just watched a video on YouTube showing the exact meter I bought.....and it’s a fake! There are a few differences, the main one being the missing screw for calibration. I’ve contacted the ebay seller to see what they say. I’ll buy the TDS calibration solution and take it from there. Thank you again for putting me on the right track. ?

[sdlTBfanUK]

Good old ebay, I don't use it any more!

I would take the other to the shop and see how it compares with theirs, almost guarantee they will have one and go from there! I have never had to re-calibrate one ever so I wouldn't waste money on that until you KNOW it needs it, I am sure the one that came with the zerowater is fine?

Simon

[Sonnycbr]

Cheers Simon. It never crossed that mind that the meter could be anything but genuine. I agree, the one that came with Zerowater will be reliable but I will check it against the aquarium shops one.

[Sonnycbr]

Ok, tank has finished cycling and I'm almost ready to do a complete water change with mineralised RO water. I've got a few questions before I do though.

I have Dragon rock in the tank and I believe that's the reason my TDS is so high, currently around 350ppm. Will the rock always give me a high TDS reading? Must I remove it to have any chance of keeping shrimp? I like the arrangement at the minute and I'd prefer to keep it if possible.

When I'm using the RO water and I add the minerals, do I go by the reading on the TDS meter, say at 150ppm, or do I measure the GH/KH and stop when they reach an acceptable level? 

I have, or had, 3 guppies in the tank, I now have 8! I'd like to keep a few as long as they won't decimate my shrimp population. What do think would be the maximum amount of small fish to keep in a 30L tank with cherry shrimp?

The tank looks beautiful only a month after setting it up. The plants are growing like the clappers, I've pruned quite a few already but as I planted the tank heavily in the beginning I've no room to transplant them so they're supplementing my Cichlids diet, win win.

[jayc]

6 hours ago, Sonnycbr said:

Will the rock always give me a high TDS reading? Must I remove it to have any chance of keeping shrimp?

Yes, as long as the rock in in the tank, it will release carbonates, unless the pH goes above 7.0. But that means your shrimp will be living in sub par parameters. If you keep the rock in there, you will constantly be battling TDS, and the constant fluctuation of TDS going up and down is what will stress out your shrimp.

 

6 hours ago, Sonnycbr said:

go by the reading on the TDS meter,

Go by the TDS meter. Much easier than measuring GH/KH.

 

6 hours ago, Sonnycbr said:

What do think would be the maximum amount of small fish to keep in a 30L tank with cherry shrimp?

It depends on your bio filtration. If you have a massive overkill external filter with lots of bio media, maybe 20 guppies in 30L.

If you don't, no more than 10 in 30L of water.

[sdlTBfanUK]

JayC has this covered!

Cherry shrimp I would aim for a bit higher TDS, 180-200 though.

You will be ok with fish as the tank is so heavily planted the fish won't get all the babies but guppies explore every  part of a tank so they will get a good few new born shrimp. The flip side to that is you shouldn't get over-run with shrimps? I used to have endlers with my cherries in a densely planted tank, obviously the more guppies you have the more the shrimp babies are at risk? The 8 you have now should be fine but best to decide on a limit early on?

Simon 

[Sonnycbr]

16 hours ago, jayc said:

Yes, as long as the rock in in the tank, it will release carbonates, unless the pH goes above 7.0. But that means your shrimp will be living in sub par parameters. If you keep the rock in there, you will constantly be battling TDS, and the constant fluctuation of TDS going up and down is what will stress out your shrimp.

 

Go by the TDS meter. Much easier than measuring GH/KH.

 

It depends on your bio filtration. If you have a massive overkill external filter with lots of bio media, maybe 20 guppies in 30L.

If you don't, no more than 10 in 30L of water.

That's all I need to know, I'll take the rocks out and maybe use a bit more wood for the Java moss. I'm only using a small corner filter so I'll have to limit the guppies to 10, and that's fine as well.

I got a replacement meter from the Ebay shop I bought the dodgy one from and it's exactly the same as the last one....I've asked for a refund.

Thanks for the advice. I need all I can get.

[Zoidburg]

As far as figuring out your remineralizing schedule.... I would recommend going by GH and KH *FIRST*. Get it to the parameters you want, then measure the TDS.

After that, you can go by the TDS and the GH and KH should be within range, as long as the TDS meter is clean and calibrated. ?

Edited December 6, 2019 by Zoidburg