Tap water quality help with options

[mike0605]

Hi Here are my tapwater parameters (one test done with water straight from the tap: -

Nitrate (No3) 25
Nitrite (No2) 0
GH 16 d
KH 6 d
pH 7.2
CL2 between 0 - 0.8

The below test done on water that had been stored for 24 hours: -

Nitrate (No3) 10 - 25
Nitrite (No2) 0
GH 16 d
KH 6 d
PH 7.2
CL2 between 0 - 0.8

I keep plecs and plan on keeping some cichlids from the areas the plecs come from my main question is (is my water any good and what changes can I male).

Ideally I am looking for an easy change that is not too complicated.

I have an outside tap but my worry about getting a hma filter was were to connect it and keep it seperate from general tap water i.e. so that only water for waterchanges runs through it.

Another idea was to store water in a butt and airate/filter with carbon sponge for 24 hours prior to each water change but wasnt sure is this would do enough.

Thoughts and opinions welcomed.

Thanks

 

[mike0605]

Can anyone advise on this? Thanks

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
You could try Apistogramma cacatuoides or some of the more white water Geophagus spp.

cheers Darrel

 

[mike0605]

Thanks Darrel.

Was more thinking of ways to adjust the water (if needed) to keep say amazon plecs happy.

Thanks

 

[Tener ds]

Hi mike, I keep my water change water in a water butt, in my conservatory.
The butt has a heater, air stone and a small water pump in it.
The butt is topped up 24 hours before I need it and I always use prime in my water.
Both my tanks get a water change 5x a week.

 

[Irene0100]

can you collect good rain water where you live?
what you cant see in the tap water tests are all the heavy metals etc (eg lead, iron etc) that are in most tap waters -there will be some info from your water supplier if you google around.

 

[mike0605]

greater detail water parameters

Hi again and thanks everyone for the time on this thread.

I have obtained local readings from website: -




Analysis

Typical Value

UK/EU limit

Units





Hardness Level

Soft





Hardness Clarke

7.000


Clarke



Aluminium

<6.42

200

µg Al/l



Calcium

32.7

0

mg Ca/l



Residual chlorine - Total

0.31

0

mg/l



Residual chlorine - Free

0.25

0

mg/l



Coliform bacteria

0

0

number/100ml



Colour

1.15

20

mg/l Pt/Co scale



Conductivity

260

2500

uS/cm at 20oC



Copper

0.0314

2

mg Cu/l



E.coli

0

0

number/100ml



Iron

9.14

200

µg Fe/l



Lead

1.34

25

µg Pb/l



Magnesium

4.69

0

mg Mg/l



Manganese

<1.05

50

µg Mn/l



Nitrate

7.88

50

mg NO3/l



Sodium

16.0

200

mg Na/l


If I would require a HMA filter where and how would I connect this. Ideally I could do with only water that I use for water changes running through it as if all my tap water ran through it I anticipate the filters would need changing alot.

Also would a HMA be enough or would RO be required with my water parameters? As stated earlier the plan is keeping mainly plecs and some south american cihclids over time.

I only have one tank atm and wasnt sure if HMA would be the right way to go or how to fix it.

I have an outside tap which runs out from the pipe under my kitchen sink and is under the kitchen window outside but I believe these need to be housed in doors.

Thanks

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
I use rain water, but your tap water should be fine. I'd be happy to use it as it is. The first number is your waters value, the second the legal limit. If you are worried Prime (like TenerDS mentions) will remove chloramine and chelate heavy metals.

An HMA filter won't do any harm, have a look at these posts: <http://www.plecoplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8904> & <http://www.plecoplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?p=87538>

cheers Darrel

 

[mike0605]

Hi,

Thanks for referring me to these threads Darrel a great help.

I have a tds meter and the highest consistant reading I got from my tapwater was a TDS of 195.

Based on the other threads this makes me think I may only need HMA? Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

Not sure if I would need Almond leaves as I appreciate most areas of the Uk have different parameters so info on mine/any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Not sure if I would need Almond leaves

A source of humic compounds (doesn't have to be IA leaves, Alder cones or oak leaves will do) has the advantage of chelating any heavy metals, as well as providing browsing surfaces for shrimps and fry. Have a look a this article by Colin Dunlop <http://www.seriouslyfish.com/all-the-leaves-are-brown/>

Based on the other threads this makes me think I may only need HMA?

I think you are right.

cheers Darrel

 

[mike0605]

Thanks Darrel that is a great article that really explains things and fits in with the sugar in tea explanation and using judgement

 

[mike0605]

Back to water

First of all happy Easter everyone

I was thinking since given my parameters I just need to get rid of as much heavy metals and chlorine as I can, I have a new 100 litre slim line waterbutt. (Picked up on offer from wickes 20 pounds.)

The initial thought I wanted advice on. I was thinking of storing the butt upstairs in my home and filling it a day or two days before water hangs depending on advice and having either an air driven filter or an internal filter with carbon in the butt.

If I use this idea I want to make its pot on otherwise I might as well go with a hma if it won't work.
1) will an internal or sponge filter actually remove heavy metals?
2) chlorine will remove from the aeration overnight won't it?
3) is an upstairs cold water supply to the likely tone fresh or can these come from water tanks and could this actually add metal to the water?
4) would there be any additional benefit from treating also with say indian almond leaves as I suppose these could just be used in individual tanks where required.

The only definite advantage I can see about this system over hma (should it actually work in removing metals of course) would be cost and the fact that I can siphon in water which will be at room temperature.

Any info on this would be great also if hma is sim

 

[mike0605]

Simpy the way would there be any advantage of storing or would it be best to use from the hma filter as and when doing water changes? Thanks in Advance for comments and thoughts/opinions

 

[Mark421]

I wouldn't use your hot water tank for water. Even if putting it through a HMA filter it's going to clog it up.

If I was you I would do smaller water changes more often so the tank temp doesn't drop too low. Or if you really wanted use HMA filter to fill the butt and heat it up.

 

[mike0605]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the input.

That wasn't really what I was asking, I was wanting to really know if standard internal filters with carbon in or sponge air driven filters can remove things from water if anyone can help/comment on this that would be great thanks

 

[Mark421]

Sorry think I read it wrong.

An internal sponge will not remove heavy metals.

Using a cold main from upstairs will be ok, as always with water run the tap first!

Leaving the water with an air stone will remove chlorine.

Is your hot water from a combi boiler or tank fed?

 

[mike0605]

Thanks mark my hot water is tank gud so I will stay clear of that.

My thoughts based on your comments would be hma to water butt day before water changes simply to allow the water to come up to about room temp.

This would then give the advantage of change is every several weeks I wanted to simpy run some cole straight in from the hma to try and get a spawn going

Thanks