When I tested my tap water 6 months ago, my gH was over 400 and my buffering capacity was 0. I tested using the same method (Mardel test strips) today and the gH and buffering capacity were ideal. Is it possible the city changed their tap water that much? I hope so, that would mean I could stop buying buffer. Give me your thoughts.
Tap water specs change: Is this possible?
- Thread starter ewurm
- Start date
try testing it on a constant period of time. Lots of cities change their water frequently to keep the pipes clean. If the water is too soft the pipes will rust quickly and if it is too hard the pipes will get buildup and corrosion, so they frequently flush stuff through it. That is the dangers we have to deal with with city water.
A huge risk comes from reservoir fed municipal water. When I was in S.D., the water parameters changed during droughts, with rain run-off, and during wild fire season. The risk comes, primarily, during wild fire season. If large amounts of fire retardant enters the reservoir, or channels, the chemical retardant can kill of your fish during a water change. Alot of SDTFS members reported large fish-kills during these wild fire events in the early to mid-nineties. I haven't kept track if it's still happening since I relocated. But, ever since, I've gotten in the habit of changing the water in my minnow bins before starting on the main tanks.
ewurm;575325; said:
I would be runing RO/DI in my house if that was a case. I talked to a plumber from across the river (New Jersey) and he said a lot of the houses where he works have to have RO/DI because the water quality is sooooo bad.