Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm currently looking to buy either in all in one meter or seperate meters to check some springs I want to get drinking water from. I also want to check a creek that I may implement into an AP setup that I'm about to build. If any of you know about TDS meters inparticular, what do you think the best amount of "total dissolved solids" is? I've heard 0-20 is too low and could potentially strip vital nutrients from your body and 30-50 is perfect and 100+ is potentially bad? Also, if you guys use them what meters do you use? I want to stay under $100 if possible, but I've read reviews where people bash all the cheap ones and say they aren't consistent or reliable.

is there reason to measure TDS in an AP system? and the best PH would be 7 for drinking water and 6-7 for the AP system right?

the springs for drinking water are coming from here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Between_the_Lakes_National_Recreation_Area

it's a national recreation area and is "protected" by the US gov. There has never been any building, no water companies tapping for water sources, it's all pretty untouched except for paving of roads. I still want to get the water tested plus do my own testing with these meters just in case though.

If i decide to have a closed loop system I'll probably use this water, if the creek water is clean enough on my grandads land we'll have the creek water running through our system and won't have to use any pumps or power

bluelab are among the best and most reliable. i did use cheaper ones at first but no only are they not as accurate, they break so easily. one drop and they are caput.

i have had my bluelab meters now for years with no problems.

i dont know much about what numbers you want for drinking water though sorry. althoug i doubt using crystal clear water would strip nutrients from you. i imagine you would get them from food etc as well. i could be wrong though.

my Reverse Osmosis filtered water comes out at 1ppm, my tap water is about 150ppm if that helps

ok I was looking at one of the Blue Lab combo meters then I saw the prices lol they are almost all selling for $200+ on amazon. Did you use the combo meter or the pens?

and as far as more solids vs less solids I don't personally care at this point because anything is better than fluoride, chlorine, prescription medications, and who knows what else in the city water supply!