If you are a beginner, you may not have heard of TDS. Maintaining an adequate TDS level in the aquarium is important for keeping your fish healthy. Here’s are some ways to lower TDS in aquarium water:
- Regular Water Changes
- Regulate Feeding
- Tank Cleanliness
Read on if you are keen to find out how you can lower the TDS in your aquarium. But first, let us understand what is the ideal TDS for guppies.
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What Is The Ideal TDS For Guppies?
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) which is measured in PPM refers to the quantity of organic and inorganic material in your guppies’ aquarium water. The ideal TDS for guppies is between 320 – 500 ppm. The TDS is one of the important factors to consider when keeping your guppy fish healthy. Other factors include the temperature and pH level. Thus, it is important to measure the level of total dissolved solids in your tank.
Measuring TDS
You can get accurate TDS readings by using a TDS meter. A good meter is this 3 in 1 aquarium meter you can get on Amazon. Here’s how to measure TDS:
- Measure the temperature of the water, by dipping the TDS meter in the water to the maximum submersion level (see instruction manual).
- After measuring the temperature, switch the device settings to measure the TDS level (usually by pressing a button).
- Dip the TDS meter in the tank again. The TDS level appears on the display.
How Do I Lower The TDS In My Fish Tank?
If your concentration is too high, it will kill the fish and cause a bloom of algae in your fish tank. If the level of TDS in the water is too low, it will affect fish growth and development, especially if you have lots of fish fries. Here are some things you can do to lower the TDS in your fish tank.
Regular Water Changes
TDS builds up over time. Thus, it is important to change the water in your aquarium as necessary. The time between water changes depends on how fast the TDS level increases over time. To monitor this, you can measure the TDS level regularly with a TDS meter.
Regulate Feeding
Try not to overfeed your fish. Overfeeding leads to a build-up of organic and inorganic material in the water. This increases the TDS level. Feed your fish just enough to satisfy them without having leftovers floating around or sinking to the bottom of the tank.
Tank Cleanliness
In addition to regular water changes, cleaning the glass and other areas of the aquarium helps maintain proper TDS levels. A dirty tank is never healthy for your fish.
References
- How do I lower the hardness in my fish tank? – Basic Water Chemistry Part 1: Water Hardness – LiveAquaria – https://www.liveaquaria.com/article/60/?aid=60
- Lowering TDS in freshwater aquarium – Aquarium Advice – http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f129/lowering-tds-in-freshwater-aquarium-294222.html
- How do I lower my TDS? – The Planted Tank Forum – https://www.plantedtank.net/forums/11-fertilizers-water-parameters/84528-how-do-i-lower-my-tds.html
- How do I lower TDS in my shrimp tank? – Reddit – https://www.reddit.com/r/shrimptank/comments/4fzheo/how_do_i_lower_tds_in_my_shrimp_tank/
- Aquarium Supplies: List of Equipment & Accessories for Freshwater Fish Tanks – Fish Tank Basics