TDS meters are KILLING Shrimp and Fish.

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‎ TDS meters are great, when you know what the number actually means that it displays. Lately around the internet people are putting blind faith into TDS meter readings as an indication on whether their water is right for Shrimp or fish. While a TDS meter can read how much hardness is in the water, it also reads everything else in the water. Lots of hobbyists are testing their water with a tds meter and determining if their water is good or bad from a single test. The reality is a TDS meter is best used in addition to other test kits we have available to us in the hobby. When used together, we can get a bigger picture of what is actually going on in water. This can definitely help us as hobbyists and when used against known tank parameters can help us measure differences when adding things to our aquarium water by keeping a log.
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0:00 - Intro to the video
1:02 - Teaching you a lesson about TDS meters
13:13 - Outro
#Aquariumguide #Fishtank #Aquariumhobby

[@AquariumCoop]

Here is the amazon link to the TDS meter I use. amzn.to/2l4qz6w

[@spiritmbr]

i use this one too but still dont know how to tell how much salt is in the water

[@johnsonchua4205]

Vv.

[@full_metal2452]

What is your go to test strips?

[@johnathandix]

I think TDS meter is great if you are re-mineralizing RO water. If starting from zero, all the TDS imparted on the water is from whatever supplements you are adding.

[@TheSe7enthSinn]

Exactly.. that's the proper way of using it. He should explain that

[@danberko123]

Great comment, I agree with everything in the video but I'm still going to buy a TDS metre 'cause of your advice. I use RO water for a planted tank and it will tell me quickly if I'm re-mineralising properly :)

[@danberko123]

....also I didn't spell 'metre' wrong, I'm an Ozzie not a Yank! LOL.

[@danberko123]

woops, my GF just enlightened me that I AM just a bad spella! LOL

[@codymanring9129]

Exactly I have a way high tds I have a lot of calcium and magnesium very little iron and copper no nitrates. Plants grow great and shrimp are booming . I’m well water spring is 200 yard away from my house. No softener

[@carollyn8885]

This is a fantastic thing to know about in depth like this. It’s like learning a way of reading a different language that the aquarium,inhabitants, plants and water speak. These videos are important!

[@anocken]

Loving Whiskey's editing, the graphics and sound effects are EPIC.. I was already enjoying the info but this is just too much fun!

[@AquariumCoop]

+Crystal Lewis I'm glad you enjoy. It definitely helps spice up a dry subject.

[@DrFunTimeZ2234]

Aquarium Co-Op did you stock your daughters aquarium yet?

[@bilalelhlimi2728]

DrFunTimeZ his niece's not daughter's.

[@buringfyra]

imo I dont think it is a dry topic at all very helpful info!

[@vicaroo001]

I love these testing vids. Puts things in perspective!

[@philthyphil3324]

thank you so much for this video Cory! I have been wanting to learn more about tds and what it means. now I'm going to order a meter.

[@deadpoet415]

Such a GREAT and useful video! I'm watching this 4 years later and it's still very useful.

[@truedeltstrader2w489]

that just put so much into perspective for me in so many ways,, thankyou Cory!!

[@zoharkiaav]

Thank you Cory, that cleared up a lot for me. Much appreciated!

[@AussieAquatic]

This is a great video Cory, and you are explaining (very well) one of the hobbies biggest topics that needs to be understood to be successful.

[@anthonylj9709]

This video is super informational and I like the series of test you did to explain everything.

[@linguaphile8533]

Thank you for this video. I am new to the hobby, and hear people talking about TDS. Even when you know what the abbreviation stands for, it means nothing without education. I just learned so much!

[@Joel_G_NZ]

I wanna call out to Sashimi Whiskey - I think working on the best fish channel/40k+ subs/2k+ views on vids within a couple of hours/having the King Of Fish Nerds as your boss probably comes with a lot of pressure particularly when every single fan can give instant feedback which I think you're handling well, and im enjoying the new content. No doubt there will be kinks to iron out as is always the case with challenging the normal process and I think this is just gonna get better and better for you and Cory. Mad respect for you both. Keep it up Cory & Sashimi!!

[@sevenmile]

yes!

[@treefity071]

I'm setting up a new fish tank and I can't stop watching all your fish vids, THANK YOU for all the help A+++!!!

[@AquariumCoop]

+Erick Frick might be a good problem to have :p

[@CaptainSavageAquatics]

Great video Cory! It's very interesting and informative! Great job!

[@happywrench3044]

Thank you for clearing things up with understanding TDS!

[@wyzemann]

Your wife's jungle tank is always doing a number on me. I keep trying to not like it, but then, I see the altums, the roselines etc., and I go, man, that is a purely eclectic tank. The overgrown forest is slowly but surely growing on me. Every time I think I "know" what a gorgeous tank is; I get slammed with one that doesn't fit into my narrow-minded aesthetic values. Thank You Corey, for making me grow and not stay stuck in my comfort zone.

[@urpgag2]

heh and remember to use the TDS meter to help set your mineralizations when you do a water change on your comfort zone because they are a fast, easy way to get your known TDS tap water to your target... because tap water is nothing like a permanent TDS... wait til the city back flushes the pipes!

[@LittleLargeMouth]

I liked how this video talked a lot about shrimp keeping and was uploaded after your livestream with LR Bretz. Thanks!

[@gore1]

That was good info! Thanks again Cory!

[@arnodrijfhout3858]

I LOVE your editing!!

[@fishead4464]

Thanks for the great video Cory, I would love to learn more about doc.

[@ollyedwards9054]

Hello fish lover who is looking through the comments whilst this video playing😄

[@Mrs.MadisonElise]

Hello😊 🐠💕

[@urpgag2]

It's 4:38AM and I just got back from church and am reading on fish-goodies lol Hello, to you, too, Olly.

[@ManicMercurianAstrology]

😠

[@emmie9435]

Thanks for the explanation! I would like to see a video on your preference for test strips/kits.

[@horsesareexpensive2863]

Great video! I've known this stuff just from a logical perspective, but never bothered to test things like adding ferts to RO water to see the effect etc, so that was nice to see. If you ever get a chance to interview a fish biology expert (maybe the fellow you took the ornamental fish course from?) it would be interesting to know what effect just raw TDS would have on fish. I would think that regardless of what is comprising the TDS measurement, it would impact kidneys etc just by making them overcome greater osmotic gradients. Super nerdy fun stuff at any rate.

[@capnsmashem3284]

It's like smog or smoke is to air, and from 1000ppm up, it can make breathing hard enough to kill fish, just like 1000ppm of smoke in air is unpleasant and can make you cough.

[@spintwinz5824]

I find myself watching your videos over and over, thanks very much.

[@bobbycaissie5380]

i really enjoy you videos Cory! i have been learning so much in the last few months! thanks :0)

[@TFrakesTanks]

great video cory! such good information!

[@luciejohnson9005]

I love your videos, it was actually my boyfriend joe who got me to watch you, he absolutely adores you too! You've helped him so much with his tanks :)

[@AquariumCoop]

Thanks for the kind words Lucy.

[@vannakkeo7453]

Much needed video for the hobby!

[@crystalshackaquatics7468]

Thanks for the education Corey.. very informative.. I've been watching your channel for quite a few months now and have even watched most of the older stuff. I like the new way your editing. I note some people haven't. Can't please everyone ha? Anyways I hope to see more short informational vids from you especially on water chemistry! Tips on keeping acidic tanks would be awesome! Thanks again Corey keep up the goodwork! - Carissa from New Zealand.

[@AquariumCoop]

Only way to advance is to try new things :)

[@aquaticma]

Thanks for clarifying the TDS meter for us Cory! I personally only test pH weekly due to my poor water source and test with 5 in 1 tetra strips when I think there may be an issue (I know I'm bad I should test more but...yeah).

[@AquariumCoop]

+Kala C if it works for ya, then I'd say you are doing it right.

[@Notevenone]

Great and informative. Was wondering what they did. Great editing too. Made me giggle.

[@passsionbettas8590]

Love this video. Very informative.

[@somebodyelse9696]

Just a little feedback Cory! I like the contents of the video a lot. I think that this kind of issue has to be addressed, and I'm glad you're bringing it up. I've thought about this multiple times especially when I was shopping for meters. I just wanted to mention that some charts or visual assistance with your explanation would have been really helpful in keeping track of what you are saying and making connections. I really enjoy the numbers and the labeling that Sashimi Whiskey has been adding to the videos. However, I do think some of the sound effects at some points were just a little much. Keep up the good work Cory! You are really moving up and keeping the fish keeping community on KZbin thriving. I have learned a lot from watching your videos. I appreciate how active you constantly are I am always looking forward your new videos.

[@valleyfish]

Thanks so much very helpful video!

[@davidcoronado7079]

thanks for the videos Cory there aways helpful and got me back in to the hobby of taking care of fish 😀 keep up the good work!! 👍

[@AquariumCoop]

+David Coronado glad to hear it.

[@bootyshovel4431]

awesome video, Ive been explaining this to alot of new shrimp keepers for a while now. A visual reference explaination for them will be great. Ive been preaching TDS mean nothings until you establish its value for years now. thanks

[@AquariumCoop]

+deez called glad I could help.

[@Coronakenify]

Great information, thanks.

[@jyelton1]

Thank u this helped me a lot.

[@14thCenturyHare]

I went down a rabbit hole looking into possibly getting fresh water shrimp, then saw all these comments about TDS which I later learned was Total Dissolved Solids. Which as a logical and mechanical inclined individual told me nothing! Entertaining and informational video, I'm not currently an aquarium owner but I've subscribed!

[@FlynnsFishForum]

Wow! Never new there were so many things to look for when testing TDS! Great information from Cory+Awesome editing from Jim=BEST VIDEO EVER

[@eugeniovazquez7444]

Thank you for this video you make things easy for fish keeper

[@SirSkippy87]

I use TDS when remineralizing RO/DI water for my shrimp tanks and African Cichlid tank. My shrimp seem to do really good around 140 tds using salty shrimp GH/KH+ however I also monitor ph, GH, KH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and temp with shrimp, they love the water around 72 F.

[@d.p.kfishaquariums8825]

thanks for sharing this with us

[@chicahchick]

Beautiful tank very informative video

[@mrm8293]

Yes my biggest problem is that my city tap water reads 540 ppm out of the tap along with a high PH any day I check it, so it helps me reduce the ppm for my fresh water fish tank. I also use a test kit to know what else is going on.

[@softstart100]

your the man. nice that you did this because your on spot and others may disagree. I use my TDS meter to aid in my mineralization of the tank.

[@AquariumCoop]

+Ron Griese I wish I had used that verbiage. Aid in the testing process.

[@russellbeach3207]

Cory Cory Cory, you just saved a very interested but disgruntled fish keeper. I have been struggling to keep fish for some time. I got a tds meter and test kit both. I couldn't for the life of me get my tds up to where Lucas said I needed for shrimp! I even added crushed coral. I now have renewed hope! Thanks so much !!

[@AquariumCoop]

+Russell Beach glad I could help. At least now you have a little bit more info and can work towards what it will take to get your specific water ready for shrimp

[@heatherwanderer777]

lol, that "Oh my" sounded a lot like a certain mr. sulu ;)

[@seekthetruth336]

TDS is extremely useful in establishing a baseline. From there, you can know within seconds if something is off in your water and if it is, you further investigate by using test kits.

[@cayleweldon5021]

Thank you so much for your videos mate. Legend!!

[@iLive2Ride76]

I've been thinking a lot about this subject. It's just like your saying... You have to know what's in your water to be able to take full advantage of the tds meter. I know the parameters in all my tanks so for me it's used to tell when to do water changes and also to know how much ca, mg and other nutrients I should add. Really great video Cory.

[@Thecrazyfisherman2]

woah your store is 15 mins from me, had no idea

[@DarrenPauli]

TL;DR: Many factors influence TDS. Nitrates, dechlorinator, fertiliser, tap water and so on. TDS is inaccurate in isolation because the factors influencing the score may not highlight that factor you need to address; your water may have low nitrogen but high salt, or too much fertiliser. You should focus on the factors that influence TDS rather that the TDS score itself. TDS meters can pick up factors that test kits won't, like softners in your water supply and so on. TDS is more useful if you own multiple tanks because you can compare across aquariums and use controls. Great video, thanks, super useful :)

[@sharadbhutoria]

Super helpful. Thank you.

[@SusanforSLCAquatics]

Thanks Cory this was a very informative video. I had just recently heard about TDS meters and didn't really understand them a lot but when you shared the information on this video with the test strips I have a better understanding now. thank you so much for sharing

[@AquariumCoop]

They are a useful cheap tool to own for sure. Helps figure out things when you can establish baselines etc.

[@anamikanandy2278]

Wow! Thanks for this video.. you are awesome

[@rektego]

great video. i just bought the meter and some strips from coop. thanks!

[@glenholcombe4875]

Good share. Very intuitive. What do you think of the seachem suction cupped tab you stick in the aquarium for nitrates and ph

[@MarksShrimpTanks]

Great video Cory ,what also doesnt help is the amount of fake TDS pens going around . I asked HM Digital in an email about this and they said every pen they make has a calibration screw.

[@AquariumCoop]

Hmm interesting. I have an HM pen, but I didn't know fake ones were being made.

[@MarksShrimpTanks]

Yeah yours is legit ,I checked the link to Amazon:)

[@lorettajackson8759]

Thank you, that was helpful: )

[@joestephens1506]

Very informative Cory

[@irenedool1069]

Hi Cory, your voideos are my go to source of aquarium information. When I set up my new tanks after a break from my hobby I did all my research with you. I have 8 guppies now in my planted 10 gallon because you sold me on them and my daughter loves watching the little fry grow in her planted 2 gallon goldfish bowl. 🤗 I have 5 Black Skirt Tetras and 5 Serpae Tetras in my 23 gallon heavily planted tank. Can you do a live stream about tetras?

[@madfishdiva]

So, I’m doing research for a purchase of shrimp and ran across this video. The TDS of my tap water is 234. Thanks for this information!

[@jamierichards6913]

The fresh water world is sooooo different from salt. I am starting my first fresh tank in almost 10 years and I was so confused why everyone was using a tds meter. Thanks for the video it helped clear a lot up for me.

[@mrsjackanory]

Thanks for this. I love your videos! Just got my tds meter. My tap water is around 220 which is supposed to be ideal for neo C. Can I use it or do I have to use RO water + salts? Setting up my first shrimp tank and researching. Ty.

[@joshblick]

I'm usually way over on TDS and my shrimp have been blowing up for years.

[@KGcichlids]

Great video and I liked the change up of editing, didn't bug me because I personally don't have OCD lol

[@theodorakneipp1153]

KG cichlids ocd jokes arent funny anymore

[@KGcichlids]

fancy goldfish really? I didn't know that was a thing..

[@vickieworkman6366]

like your sound effects!

[@thisjeffguy]

Hi Corey, I've been binge watching your channel, and I'm loving it! It has motivated me to get back into the hobby after an eight year hiatus. I plan on ordering some plants and dry goods from you in the near future. Question: I've tested my tap water several times and I keep getting a pH that is near the upper range of the test kit chart. It appears to be in the 8.6 to 8.8 range. The strange part of the equation is that the same water has a very low hardness. Is this even possible? I'm planning on starting out with some mollies and swordtails in a 55 gallon tank. What should I do about the pH? Most of what I've read has advised to not adjust the pH and go for consistency, but mine seems to be TOO high. I can't seem to find many resources on how to deal with high pH and low hardness together. Any advice would be highly appreciated! Thank you in advance! Jeff

[@AquariumCoop]

+Jeff Driver I would leave the ph and add some hardness and keep livebearers like you plan.

[@stephen-truthseeker]

Thanks for the Lazer Gun Sounds now I need to go and watch Star Wars highlights.

[@jeffstanks6012]

Awesome video Cory! Guess gh and kh are more important than tds. I noticed meds raised my tds by 100 ppm. Must not be too stressful if gh stays stable. Thanks for the info!

[@AquariumCoop]

Thats my point, TDS is useful when you know the ppm is hardness. But if you don't know what is making up the ppm, it can be risky.

[@jeffstanks6012]

right..you need to know a baseline reading before other things are added.

[@tylersfishtanks1799]

great video thanks

[@jacklawer6389]

Thanks, very informative

[@timcodex]

Hello. What is the color stick you used to check parameter details? Thanks a lot.

[@furryfeatheryfamily]

thanks learned a lot! :)

[@tic857]

About 2 weeks ago, I was reading about TDS meters for snails, and i had one back when I was growing sundews. Took several readings and came to the same conclusion. "This number means nothing but how much of something is dissolved." Then went out and bought some tetra test strips. Sometimes more data is better.

[@1825OREO]

Thanks for the video. What kind of test strips you use? Thanks

[@maxkissen3129]

I love the editing

[@user-mg8qd2fr4j]

I’m here because my shrimp tank is at 1700 tds and been doing fine but I’m going to start topping off the water with distilled so it goes down and calm down on all the fertilizer I’ve been using

[@justinnitsuj7041]

0:34 err even more accurate (and why its cheap) specifically it measures electrical conductivity of the water.

[@pebz13family]

This was a great video, very informative. I appreciate it thank you!

[@angelsbynoemi]

Yeah I have a planted 20g tank w 3 pea puffers, 3 amano shrimps, and maybe 10 small snails and the TDS is going up to 500! The ph is low 6.4 cause i use RO water (adding shrimp mineral) as my tap water is extremely hard, so i was recommended to try raising the PH at least to 8, to help grow bacteria, my tank is kind of new maybe 4 weeks but i used a bacteria tank started and had minnos fish before the puffer.. we never check the TDS before so i was freaking out when i see the Tds that high.

[@today1471]

thank you!

[@TheFishBeast]

Excellent explanation as always! TDS is indeed meaningless without knowing dH, kH and also nitrogen wastes! The gradual increase in inorganic salts in my shrimp tank pushed my TDS to 760 but I knew it was from salts and not waste. :)

[@TheFishBeast]

@@dadigitechman check dH, kH and nitrates.

[@davidedelzingaro7524]

Yess you are right but i got few pufferfish,malsian trumpet snails(invasive),two assasin snails,with a ball off java moss and litteraly 3 stems of Ceratophillum Emersum and even if i'm putting in my water the dechlorinator,additional salt to increase water tds up to 260ppm and a lean fertilizer, i'm still getting my water tds readings as low as 210ppm and i have to do water changes to remineralize the water, i don't know what i would do it if i hadn't a tdsmeter, thanks to that my plants are doing great.

[@Foopsy]

lmao the editing is so great

[@Mr1990Darkness]

What about RODI water? would you use it in a fresh water tank with something like Seachem Equilibrium??

[@40787dsw]

You are correct that TDS measures every ionic compounds in the water. The amount of fertilizer and dechlorinator added to the tape water is not typical portion for the volume. The jump of your demonstration in the 2 tap water beaker was due to that. When you added fertilizer to your tank, the TDS increased by about 10% (180-198). I think if you add the correct portion of fertilizer or dechlorinator to the beakers of tap water they would only change about 10% or less. The measurements and biologic systems will tolerate that small changes.

[@DannysAquariums]

Great video Cory! Great informative video again! The tank looks so good! I want to setup 4 totes (20g) this summer outside to breed fish, do you have any tips?! _Keep up the good work!_ *Thumbs up!*

[@MrFishface5]

great job

[@I0nlyRunFactory]

I know this is an older video but for the sake of an alternative perspective backed by some logic: If my RO water is 20-35 ppm (the tap here is over 350) and I use salty shrimp remineralizer to bring that TDS back up to 220-235 what I've done is added 200ppm of the essential salts/minerals that my shrimpies need. I started with almost pure water, and added only the essentials. It would be a waste of my time to use anything other than a TDS meter for this method, but keep in mind this is for an established tank that's fully cycled... It's just for maintenance. If something started to go wrong I'm going to start testing other things immediately (starting with you Ammonia) TDS meters are great, when used with a sound methodology. If you're testing fresh tap with a TDS meter to determine how safe your tap water is... you're not doing it right, and you're not thinking clearly.

[@ShrimpMommy]

I realize this is a very old video but still the most informative I have found regarding TDS. I have a fairly new shrimp tank and all of my tests are where they should be, except the TDS. Arizona tap sits at around 500 ppm without anything in it at all. Even with water conditioners, the slow TDS creep has been a killer on my shrimp. If anyone reads this, please help!

[@matzzz100]

Idk if you've gotten advice from else where yet, but if your trying to keep caradina shrimp, 500tds is too high. They require levels around 120-150 range. That might be why they are dying. Best of luck!

[@MadHatterJackSparrow]

What test strips do you recommend to cover all bases thoroughly for freshwater? I have a Freshwater API Master Kit, but I feel I’m not getting a full reading on certain things!!

[@tabithacallaway5596]

Please do a video on test strips! I use primary test strips day to day and have tested against liquid test and have seen no difference, however that is not a popular opinion.

[@AquariumCoop]

I have made the video already Tabitha, just needs to be edited. I found slight differences myself, but no where near what the internet states of test strips being useless.

[@AdamTillontheWeb]

I'll share that one to all corners of the web, for sure. Seems like it comes up literally any time someone has sick fish (must be because they only use test strips and thus have bad water etc)

[@nycbettas5792]

thanks

[@Jus287]

I've got a 19 litre tank with x1 betta in it, my GH has always read:24, my KH is :6. Will the general hardness have a long term bad effect on my Betta?

[@andy305mia]

Great content. TDS meter is great but you must have a baseline, a good number to go by is 50.....meaning when your water TDS has changed from baseline (after water change) lets say 170 tds to 220 tds, you should perform another water change. Assuming you're not adding anything else but fish food. They work for me, but once you start adding fertilizer and other things your baseline goes to crap. All my tanks have fake decorations and the only chemical i use is dechlorinator when i perform water changes so my parameters are easier to watch with a TDS meter.

[@andy305mia]

My TDS reads a little higher the day of my actual water change than the following day, because of the dechlorinator. 171 day of and 167 12 hours later. All my tanks read different, you didn't mention temps, my tap TDS at 75-78 degrees reads 130 and at 84 degrees its 145. This matters if you're keeping fish at higher temps obviously.

[@bosswolgast]

thanks you helpt my a lot

[@AquariumCoop]

Glad I could help Sofi :)

[@Mr.Glitch]

I've been a tds chaser with my taibee shrimp for so long and never had success with them. This has changed everything!

[@AquariumCoop]

Possibly, there could be a list of reasons why one isn't successful at something. If this is the reason, it's an easy fix which is great.