Sulfer water?

[demjor19]

I've decided to set up a small 15 gallon tank for my office at work, but I have some concerns about the water here. Our water has an egg smell...i think it is due to sulfer, but am not 100% certain. Is this water still suitable for keeping fish or do i have to take some extra measures aside from using water conditioner? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Pyramid_Party]

Yes, Id be careful. What you can do is, maybe test your office water first and see what kinda readings you get for the chemicals, if thats possible. If you cant manage that, then Id be careful about using that water. Im not sure if water conditioners clean those things out, maybe someone else can answer that.

 

[rmorse]

Why not just bring in RO or DIO water?

 

[dogofwar]

Some tap and well water has a sulfur smell to it...it's generally safe. Some carbon will remove the smell.

 

[Pharaoh]

There are two different reasons why water smells like that.
1. Actually sulfur in the water
2. Bacteria growing in the water.

I recommend that you get your water checked before pursuing this. Either way, the water will not affect humans. If there is actual sulfur in the water, it should bother the fish and carbon should take it out. If it is a bacterial bloom, I would probably bring it my own water. I could say whether the bacteria would bother the fish or not.

 

[cassharper]

There are two different reasons why water smells like that.
1. Actually sulfur in the water
2. Bacteria growing in the water.

I recommend that you get your water checked before pursuing this. Either way, the water will not affect humans. If there is actual sulfur in the water, it should bother the fish and carbon should take it out. If it is a bacterial bloom, I would probably bring it my own water. I could say whether the bacteria would bother the fish or not.

If it's city water I doubt there will be so much of the bacteria that creates hydrogen sulfate that you can actually smell it. Fluoride, chlorine, chloramines, and ammonia are added to keep that from happening. Test to see if it's both hot and cold. A lot of water heaters contain anti-corrosion rod that can leach sulfur compounds into the water.

If it's both, then just get a carbon filter to run the tap through (you could use the pitcher, but that would take forever!)

 

[demjor19]

thanks for the advise guys. We do have well water here, so it could likely be either. I think the only sure way to tell is to get the water tested. Could an LFS test for the bacteria or should it be taken to a lab?

 

[Pharaoh]

You could try and toake it to a local water supply company. Like the ones that deliver the 5G jugs for the water cooler. They should be able to test it.

 

[cassharper]

thanks for the advise guys. We do have well water here, so it could likely be either. I think the only sure way to tell is to get the water tested. Could an LFS test for the bacteria or should it be taken to a lab?

No generally you will need to get someone to do it for you. I would not worry too much, however, as sulphur leeching into well water is VERY common. Test it if it will make you sleep better, but I think the carbon filter will be enough.

 

[Pyramid_Party]

This just reminds me how gross our water is. I drink tap water, but all the crap in it disgusts me sometimes, yet I still drink it. Its starting to make me think though.