tap water and live rock

[rmoyer001]

does anyone think the chlorine in tap water can kill the bacteria on live rock? I use it for water changes and to replace evaporation. Just until i can invest in an RO if someone has one for sale

[tygger]

Yes it will. Get a bottle of something like this:

 

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_additi...don.asp?CartId=

[rmoyer001]

I have 150 gal filled with tap and its been running for three months. Any chance I have already killed it

[tygger]

You probably killed some of the initial bacteria (and maybe some hitchikers), but I wouldnt worry about it now. Your tank has probably already cycled and any bacteria lost has grown back. How long have you had fish in the tank?

 

What are your readings?

[rmoyer001]

I have had fish in the tank for about 2 months and all my readings are good and stable, with the exception of nitrates. I havent read this week, but I have been changing a lot and they are goiing down.

[tygger]

While the chlorine may have naturally dissipated, you may still have traces of chloramines. I would think about adding some Amquel (or similar product) to your tank. Make sure you add a very small amount over time... If your not sure, you should get test kits for this...

 

I would use Amquel for your future water changes, top offs, etc.

 

Check this out:

 

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-11/...ature/index.php

Edited January 15, 2007 by tygger

[jason the filter freak]

RO/DI are a great investment, I use tap and I know it's not a good idea, just poor, if you have a tank that massive you probably have the money to invest in good equip, skip the chemical additives and get an RO

[rmoyer001]

yep - i think thats what i am going to do. I got some amquel a few days ago and have been using only to top off and water change. I will say that I have seen a marked improvment in overall health. my softies are open for business.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Something you may want to consider using until you can afford an RO/DI unit is bottled distilled water. There are just way too many nasties in tap water. Walmart's purple label distilled is about 64 cents a gallon. (I use that when I am too lazy to drive to Herndon to pick up water from the Marine Scene) Ultimately though, an RO/DI unit is a must.

[Guest tattooed]

what about well water? I live up on a mountain and my well is 350 feet deep all limestone?

[extreme_tooth_decay]

When I was using tap water, I would just let it sit in an open bucket for a couple days.

 

After that, the chlorine was gone.

 

If there was surface agitiation, it would dissipate much faster I think.

 

tim

[ChrisS]

When I was using tap water, I would just let it sit in an open bucket for a couple days.

 

After that, the chlorine was gone.

 

 

Regular chlorine will evaporate from water but chloramines will not. DC adds chloramines but I don't know if your water has them. In any case, something like Aquamel will bind with them so they don't cause problems for your tank.

[rancor1]

Regular chlorine will evaporate from water but chloramines will not. DC adds chloramines but I don't know if your water has them. In any case, something like Aquamel will bind with them so they don't cause problems for your tank.

 

WSSC will provide you info for what's in your water.

[quazi]

As a minimum you should get a tap water filter like this: http://www.aquariumguys.com/tapwaterfilter.html

 

 

 

Also check this out: http://saltaquarium.about.com/c/ht/02/03/H...p1015628827.htm