my city tap water is so ****ty and gray, i recently got a RO filter and the water is Crystal clear
Water changes on city water?
- Thread starter Muni
- Start date
my city tap water is so ****ty and gray, i recently got a RO filter and the water is Crystal clear
Thanks for the input guys.
As mentioned was more looking for the method. But if you guys have all been dosing the partially drained tank before adding water that should be sufficient.
I have used Prime in the past for various things but this is the first time I've been on city water.
As mentioned was more looking for the method. But if you guys have all been dosing the partially drained tank before adding water that should be sufficient.
I have used Prime in the past for various things but this is the first time I've been on city water.
I would LOVE to get an RO filter as I brew beer also and this would allow me to build my own water profiles for beer. I haven't looked into them too thoroughly but aren't RO filters rather slow?
Ah another brewer, shame we're not allowed to discuss it here! :lipsseale
RO filters are slow, and create 1 part RO water to 4-5 parts waste water (which is still fine to use for most things other than brewing and fishkeeping). I wouldn't bother with one unless you're keeping a reef tank, or sensitive soft-water dish (discus, altums etc) and have hard tap water.
I'd invest in a barrel large enough to hold your water-change water and a pump with a long length of hose on it. That way you can fill the barrel with tap water, dechlorinate it, use an aquarium heater to bring it up to tank temp, then pump it into the tank after you've finished your siphon. For a fairly small initial outlay it makes water changes far easier for you and easier on the fish in the long run!
Certainly the best bang-for-buck dechlorinater!
RO filters are slow, and create 1 part RO water to 4-5 parts waste water (which is still fine to use for most things other than brewing and fishkeeping). I wouldn't bother with one unless you're keeping a reef tank, or sensitive soft-water dish (discus, altums etc) and have hard tap water.
I'd invest in a barrel large enough to hold your water-change water and a pump with a long length of hose on it. That way you can fill the barrel with tap water, dechlorinate it, use an aquarium heater to bring it up to tank temp, then pump it into the tank after you've finished your siphon. For a fairly small initial outlay it makes water changes far easier for you and easier on the fish in the long run!
Certainly the best bang-for-buck dechlorinater!
Hello; Been following this thread and will offer a less popular alternative method for water change. For many years (five decades) I have not used any water conditioning chemicals at all. The last 23 years on city water. I now fill containers with tap water and allow them to sit for a week vented to the air (During warm weather mosquitoes will lay in the open container so I plug the openings with a bit of foam. I also have a six gallon water jug with a small vent that works well.) The chlorine in the tap water become inert during this period and the water can be poured directly into the tank. A second advantage is always having a source of drinking water on hand in an emergency. This must to be less expensive than the chemicals as well.
Gallon jugs that have thick walls last longer than the distilled water or milk type. Vinegar bottles and Clorox bottles are sturdy. I rinse them well. To clean them, I fill these bottles and let them sit a while and then dump the water into the washing machine. I do this several times before using them for an aquarium. You can likely find new containers somewhere that work if you do not wish to use the used ones. A disadvantage is finding a place to store the water.
The issue of water treatment chemicals other than chlorine should not be left out. I go to my local water treatment company and pick up their water quality report to check for the treatment methods. Your local water company will have the information. My company use only chlorine. Some water companies use additional chemicals such as chloramines which are reported to not become inert with sitting for a time. Your water company will list such chemicals if used. I have no experience with that chemical but it has been reported many times on fish forums that a treatment chemical is needed to deal with chloramines.
Should you find some of the water change threads of the past many will have suggested the use of water conditioning chemicals for all water, including well water. I have been storing water for changes since going on city water in two different communities over twenty years ago and the method has worked well. I had well water prior to that and only had to be aware of temperature issues.
Gallon jugs that have thick walls last longer than the distilled water or milk type. Vinegar bottles and Clorox bottles are sturdy. I rinse them well. To clean them, I fill these bottles and let them sit a while and then dump the water into the washing machine. I do this several times before using them for an aquarium. You can likely find new containers somewhere that work if you do not wish to use the used ones. A disadvantage is finding a place to store the water.
The issue of water treatment chemicals other than chlorine should not be left out. I go to my local water treatment company and pick up their water quality report to check for the treatment methods. Your local water company will have the information. My company use only chlorine. Some water companies use additional chemicals such as chloramines which are reported to not become inert with sitting for a time. Your water company will list such chemicals if used. I have no experience with that chemical but it has been reported many times on fish forums that a treatment chemical is needed to deal with chloramines.
Should you find some of the water change threads of the past many will have suggested the use of water conditioning chemicals for all water, including well water. I have been storing water for changes since going on city water in two different communities over twenty years ago and the method has worked well. I had well water prior to that and only had to be aware of temperature issues.
That way is very old school, didn't know anyone who knows how to use the internet was still using it
As I understand, chlorine "evaporating" over time leaving the water harmless is a myth, as explained by someone on our local forum who is far more knowledgeable than I on the subject;
Hello; I know of a few from fish forums which confirms a use of the internet. One from Washington state. Perhaps some who use this forum will respond. Old school perhaps, but if you live long enough all of the methods currently in use will be old school. Do you plan to stop using methods of fish keeping just because they were in use some time ago. What length of time is likely to be the cutoff, 20 years? Fifty years?
I can relate to David R's post in that a technical explaination is presented. That I will try to look into. That is the sort of response more likely to convince me to change a proceedure.
Yes, as the hobby evolves, I will too. That's why I'm on these forums. To see what everyone else is doing and find the new cutting edge methods, science and technology that will better the hobby for my fish and i
