Heavy metals in well water?

[Stump]

I was wondering how much I should be worrying about heavy metals in my water... I have been using Aqua Safe water conditioner for the longest time, but just recently started wondering if I am just wasting money.

It's an artesian well in an older (over 30 years old) house.


Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[erk419]

Just use prime its a hell of a lot cheaper because you don't use nearly as much I just recently switched from aqua safe to prime. Two drops from an eyedroper per gallon. Its better to be safe then sorry.

 

[TwistedPenguin]

I don't use anything in our well water, I used to and realized it was a waste of money. Prime, etc 'claim' they neutralize a few metals but I looked and looked and couldn't find a single thing verifying it.

 

[blackghostuk]

Well water is as likely to have metals as tapwater, as the water in a well has 'diffused' through rock, and can contain anything soluble in the rock.

Prime and Waterlife Haloex work out 100x cheaper than Aquasafe, which is more or less the same stuff but diluted.

 

[Stump]

That was pretty much the reason I just kept buying it... just in case.

I'll have to look at prime or that waterlife haloex you mentioned, blackghostuk. I've seen prime countless times at the store, but never thought it would be considerably cheaper... That's pretty cool. lol

 

[spotfin]

Why don't you get your water tested to see if there are any heavy metals? You may find conditioner isn't needed.

 

[Dan F]

The important thing is location, location, location.

Where I live well water is generally very good quality in general (slightly basic, reasonably low in iron, negligible heavy metals, 0 nitrate), but 10 miles away the water is terrible. The only way to really know is to have your water tested.

As far as using prime or other water conditioners: Do you drink the water? If so, I certainly wouldn't bother conditioning...

 

[Stump]

I drink the water occasionally, and it's fine... but my family buys bottles of Poland Spring and I drink that for the most part. The coffee gets made with the tap water though... lol

 

[erk419]

What size are your tanks and how many you got?

 

[blackghostuk]

As far as using prime or other water conditioners: Do you drink the water? If so, I certainly wouldn't bother conditioning...

We can drink water with enough heavy metals to cause damage to fish without being able to taste it. Same with a lot of contaminants. We are far less affected by impurities in water than fish are.