johnsmith Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 In what quantity is untreated water dangerous for fish? E.g. if I rinse something off under the tap and put it in the tank is it likely to cause problems? I know someone here in Calgary who says he stopped treating his water years ago and has never had a problem, even when he does large water changes. I would never be comfortable going that far, I'm just wondering how paranoid I have to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 In what quantity is untreated water dangerous for fish? That would depend on how high of concentration the chlorine level is at your tap. Chlorine dissipates as it runs through the water mains, and depending on where you are situated from the source in your town/city, and how much water you remove at each water change, you 'might' be able to go without adding a water conditioner. Lots of things one would need to factor in, including the size of tank. I wouldn't risk more than 10% using chlorine treated water, and I would only do this if I was pressurizing the water before it went into my tank. (a thumb over the end of a Python tube would work) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toirtis Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 The warmer the water, the less chlorine it will contain, too.....and if your tap has a good aerator attached, it will also gas off a lot of chlorine.....and every few minutes that the water sits before it hits your tank, even more chlorine gasses off...but still, I would treat my water....better safe than sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsmith Posted February 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 I wouldn't think of doing water changes w/o treating the water, I was thinking more of the little things like rinsing things off (other than filter sponges) before putting them in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Kris - there would be no problem at all with that. By the time the item hit your tank there would be 0 chlorine left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsmith Posted February 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Okay, thanks. Now I can stop rinsing everything in treated water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salon_1928 Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 but still, I would treat my water....better safe than sorry. Just a side-question to this thread...when you treat tap water with conditioner, how long do you have to wait before adding the water to the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 The better quality products start to work instantly. I add my tap water while adding the pre-mixed conditioner. (both at the same time) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishManTy Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 I like to add aquaplus as my tap fills a 20gallon pail. Then I let it sit for atleast 15minutes (precaution cause I don't want to risk anything), but normally I leave it over night if I can wait that long. Its always better safe than sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsmith Posted February 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 When I use buckets to refill a tank I only wait a couple of minutes. When I use the python to refill it I just add enough to treat the whole tank, as it fills. So far I haven't had any chlorine-related problems (that I'm aware of). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.