Understanding TDS

To begin with, one must know what is Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Apart from pH, GH and KH, TDS is crucial for keeping Sulawesi Shrimps.

Dissolved Solids refer to any organic or inorganic solids that are present in the water other than the pure water molecules (H₂O). Organic solids include, waste, slit, sludge or chemical found in the water. Whereas inorganic solids include rocks and air that may contain calcium bicarbonate, nitrogen, iron phosphorous, sulfur, and other minerals. Water may also pick up metals such as lead or copper as they travel through pipes used to distribute water to consumers.

In general, the Total Dissolved Solids concentration is the sum of the cations (positively charged) and anions (negatively charged) ions in the water. TDS, which is based on conductivity, is expressed in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per litre (mg/L).

TDS affects everything that consumes, lives in our uses water, from fish and plants to plumbing and laboratories. For human, the lower the TDS level in the water you consume, the more efficiently your body's cells are hydrated. The higher the TDS level in the water, the greater the probability of harmful contaminants that can pose health risks or hinder the absorption of water.

As of now, most of the Sulawesi Shrimps available in the market are wild caught. To create an aquarium that similar to the natural habitat, it is important to take note of the water parameters. I can only assumed that the water that came along with the Sulawesi Shrimps were from the origin natural habitat. The water parameters measured using API test kit are as follows:

• pH 8
• GH 60 ppm
• KH 80 ppm
• TDS 90-135 ppm
  

Based on the water parameters measured, we can now setup our aquarium tank.