yellow tap water

[zeebo]

so today I was in the middle of a wc on my 20g (BN) tank, took 20% out and filled the white 2g bucket with tap water. Noticed the water was yellow!

Called water dept ,said they are making changes ,adding a new pump, will take 3 months working 3 shifts daily. Said things are getting stirred up during the process. I asked the lab tech what kind of things---he did not know.

I did not put it in the tank, I ''borrowed'' some water from my 54g.

So, 3 months of this :wb:

If my water co had no idea what is in the yellow water, I doubt it is safe for fish , but is there any kind of home test kit I should buy to test myself ...does anyone know what I should be looking for that is harmful to plecs/fish?

I have heard of RO water here on the forums but have no idea what it is and how to use it...so hoping I can solve the tap prob and continue using that .

appreciate any help/advice
thanks, Georgie

 

[D-MAC]

You could try a HMA filter to add to your water supply...We can buy them in the UK for around £60-90, this will take care of most of the nasty's likely to be found in your water.
This is a link to info about them
http://www.devotedly-discus.co.uk/acatalog/DD_HMA_80-C.html

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
HMA filter is a good call,

Called water dept ,said they are making changes ,adding a new pump, will take 3 months working 3 shifts daily. Said things are getting stirred up during the process. I asked the lab tech what kind of things---he did not know.

I'm not sure about in the US, but in Europe the law is very tight now on bacteria content in tap water, so if there is any water work the companies add a lot of chloramine to make sure any bacteria are mopped up.

Can you use rain water? I know a lot of people don't like it, but I've always used it and it has never been a problem.

cheers Darrel

 

[Irene0100]

rain water is usually fine if not a new concrete roof, ie old or slates etc, so no dissolved salts from concrete. also best if not first flush of rain after a dry spell as can be acid rain and have lots of muck from the air, but if rained for a bit first to clean the air, so I'm told.

maybe find out a bit more from the water company about what is in the water -after all you have to drink it!!!

if no good rain water I guess you could maybe filter the tap water through some carbon...

RO is good but may be expensive if you are on a water meter

 

[zeebo]

thanks everyone , really appreciate it. I called the water co again, got same answer but they said the water is fine to drink, not need to boil , I am betting dw is correct about the chloramides . Thankful that I always use prime.

Today I checked the water and it was clear so I did a quick 10% on the 54g and 20g. The water co said it would be clear at times, depending on where they were working , so I will just check before taking water out.

D-mac-thanks for the HMA idea, will definitely need to purchase it if I get more days of ugly water than clear. I am used to doing 10% wc daily ,but can cut it back if need to . Will see if cost is worth the 3 months , but it sounds good for removing the heavy metals...which is why I only add the amount I remove and no more than that...try to keep it the same .

Georgie