| What should I know about tap water for my | | | | Now this level has shown no ill effect in any fish |
| aquarium? | | | | studies I have seen, but levels above 20 ppm can |
| There US standards for tap water quality (and I am | | | | harm some marine cephalopods. It makes since in |
| sure other nations such as the UK have their own | | | | many marine aquariums too use RO water to mix up |
| regulations too), but that does not mean that these | | | | your salt mix or top off for evaporation so as to not |
| allowed levels are safe for fish (or humans for that | | | | add to hard to remove nitrates in you marine |
| matter). This article will discuss the effects of allowed | | | | aquarium. |
| substances in tap water on fish. | | | | Other allowed chemicals of note are Copper- 1.3 ppm, |
| CHLORINE AND CHLORAMINES: | | | | Phosphates (no standards) and Fluoride- 4.0 ppm. |
| To start with most city tap water has chlorine, which | | | | Copper at these levels is not generally a problem with |
| is an oxidizer (A chemical substance that gains | | | | fish or aquatic invertebrates, but if you are already |
| electrons in a redox chemical reaction), but this can | | | | treating with copper sulfate or if this is allowed to |
| kill fish by burning their gills and poisoning their blood. | | | | accumulate in a reef tank this is something an |
| Some municipalities use chloramines because they are | | | | aquarist should be aware of. Copper levels above 5 |
| more stable than chlorine. Chloramines are a chemical | | | | ppm can start to become dangerous for some |
| compound of chlorine and ammonia and cannot be | | | | delicate invertebrates such as corals and levels above |
| boiled our or allowed to sit for a few days to | | | | 25 ppm can be dangerous to fish. It also should be |
| remove them before adding this water to an | | | | noted for copper, that in hot water in particular, |
| aquarium. You will need to remove chloramines | | | | copper can be also added to tap water via home |
| chemically before adding tap water that contains this | | | | copper plumbing. |
| to your aquarium. Standard de-chlorinators such as | | | | As for Fluoride; I have not found conclusive studies |
| "Start Right Water Conditioner" will remove the | | | | on the harm of Fluoride to fish or other aquatic |
| chlorine, but leave the ammonia (NH4) for either your | | | | creatures, in fact trace amounts are necessary for |
| bio filtration or Zeolite (freshwater only) to remove. | | | | coral growth in marine aquariums. So despite over |
| These basic de-chlorinating products are simple | | | | stated worries about Fluoride in tap water used in |
| Reducers (sodium thiosulfate) and are quite safe, | | | | aquariums, this in one I would not consider. |
| even overdosed contrary to some opinions floating | | | | As for Phosphates; many municipalities use |
| around. | | | | phosphates to reduce the levels of lead that have |
| Products such as Amquel or "Prime- (Removes | | | | been found in drinking water. Phosphates create a |
| ammonia, chlorine, chloramines, ammonia)" will remove | | | | protective film on the inside of the pipe, slowing the |
| the chlorine and neutralize the ammonia (and more). | | | | electrochemical processes that lead to corrosion. |
| Prime is made from Hydrosulfite salts which are | | | | Unfortunately for aquarists this can lead to extra |
| basically non toxic reducing agents made up of | | | | algae growth, especially of Blue Green Algae |
| bisulfites and hydrosulfites, aqueous solution, buffered | | | | (Cyanobacteria). This can be a real problem in both |
| at pH 8. As mentioned earlier, reducing agents are | | | | freshwater and saltwater aquariums without easy |
| basically non toxic at reasonable doses to fish and | | | | solutions. I have used many phosphate sponges with |
| aquatic animals. | | | | mixed results, but I can say with certainty is that |
| INORGANIC CHEMICALS; Nitrites, Nitrates, Copper, | | | | carbon will not remove phosphate, in fact some |
| Phosphates, and Fluoride: | | | | carbon may even add to your phosphate levels. |
| Nitrites are allowed up to 1 ppm, yet at this level | | | | Protein Skimmers in marine aquariums can remove |
| there can be some damage to fish gills. Methylene | | | | some phosphates, but I have not recorded that |
| Blue can be used for treatment of nitrite poisoning, | | | | much difference. |
| but it is best to avoid this. A good bio filter will | | | | Water changes using RO water and then adding |
| generally remove trace amounts of this from tap | | | | minor elements and electrolytes back in is another |
| water, as will products such as Prime. | | | | solution. In freshwater aquariums, "Wonder Shells - |
| Nitrates are allowed up to 10 ppm, yet at this level in | | | | calcium and electrolyte replenisher" can help with this, |
| human studies infants under 6 months can become ill | | | | but in saltwater the marine mixes have all the |
| and suffer symptoms such as Blue Baby Syndrome. | | | | elements you need. |