Advice on maturing water

Discussion in 'Beginner Discussions' started by darryn, Jan 5, 2010.

  1. darryn

    darryn

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    Hi all.
    I am interested to find out how others go about maturing water for water changes.
    I was thinking of getting a cheap Hexagon tank (so it takes up less space) and adding a heater and airstone.
    What methods/equipment are others using?
    TIA
     
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  3. Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

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    I know in CT you peeps have to take extra precaution with prepping water... but I myself, (in JHB) simply pour water into a 10litre bucket, put in a few drops of anti-chlor, stir, and add straight to the tank.

    No hassles
     
  4. Sean J

    Sean J

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    I use my hose pipe... But I add Seachem Safe as well...
     
  5. Henk Hugo

    Henk Hugo

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    Zoom - its the other way round - CPT has the best water in SA (won international awards for it) its the GP guys that has Chloromines in the water
     
  6. Dane

    Dane Hammerhead

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    Yeah as far as I know CT has extremely high quality tap water. Chloromine count much higher in GP. I just pour my water into a bucket, leave it to stand for a few mins, few drops of dechlorinator and its good to go.

    I think the most important thing is to ensure that the water you are adding to the tank is as close as possible in temperature... a cold spike can lead to ick outbreak and places uneccesary stress on the fish...
     
  7. Sean J

    Sean J

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    A cold spike also leads to breeding in many species...
     
  8. Laure

    Laure Cyano Terminator

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    Get a water preparation drum. Be sure the plastic is not toxic. Look at the Recycle symbol. The most common would have a number 5, which is Polypropylene.

    Check this also:
    http://yalesustainability.wordpress...ich-number-plastic-bottles-are-safe-to-reuse/

    All you need to do is run an air stone for 24 hours and then your water will be safe to use in your tank. You can also add a heater to adjust the temperature close to your tank water. And if you want to prevent major ph drops with your soft water you can also add sodium bicarbonate.
     
  9. OP
    darryn

    darryn

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    So, if I were to use a plastic drum, I should look for number 2, 4 or 5?
     
  10. Laure

    Laure Cyano Terminator

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    Yes, and 5 is the most common.
     
  11. neilh

    neilh

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    Yip, can attest to this...
     
  12. slayer

    slayer

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    Including humans
     
  13. SauRoN

    SauRoN

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    Yeah I just put it in straight from the tap with the hose pipe, and generally on 50% water changes or less I don't even add chlorine treatment.

    I just keep an eye on the temperature in winter, and add water from the kitchen by hand to balance things out.

    Generally in summer my water is 26-28 all by itself.

    No no, for humans you just put the power off.
     
  14. Scaly

    Scaly Therapeutic

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    I have a RO filter that feeds 3 x 80l drums along with a direct tap water feed. I fill each drum to a third with tap water and top it up with RO. It drops the pH to about 6.5 Each drum also has an activated carbon filter (the corner type) with air. I also pre-heat the water. (ps DO NOT forget to turn the heater off when draining the tanks...plastic melts:wondering:) The drums are mounted high off the ground, eliminating the need for a pump...thanks to gravity.

    I fill my drums as an when they are emptied (once a week) and keep the water ready in case of emergencies. All the drums have an over flow that goes directly to the drain...just in case.
     
  15. Fanie Jordaan

    Fanie Jordaan

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    I recently bought a JoJo tank which is often used for the storage of potable water and conveniently equipped with standard plumbing fittings.

    See: http://www.jojotanks.co.za

    However, based on the link provided by Laure, I inspected the tank and found the following marked on the tank: "We have no control over the plastic which we use in good faith".

    A quick mail to SABS however confirmed that it is not a statutory requirement in SA to mark all polymer containers intended for potable water with any kind of material rating.
     
  16. Dirk

    Dirk Dwarf Catfish

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    Hi Lauré,

    Just a word of warning re your advice about just aerating the water. This treatment is fine if your water is chlorinated in the standard old-fashioned way. However, if you municipality uses chloromines of chloramines, then you must use a dechlorinator, aeration alone will not remove these substances. For this reason it is crucial to find out from the authorities which method of chlorination they use when deciding on a water treatment method.

    Kind regards,

    Dirk
     
  17. OP
    darryn

    darryn

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    I have been using dechlorinator with every water change. So, in other words, I may just be wasting my money?
     
  18. Dirk

    Dirk Dwarf Catfish

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    Yes, but remember then you MUST aerate for 24 hours and you must make quite sure that chloromines or chloramines are not used, and some municipalities are now switching over the chloromines or chloramines and they do not let you know, so you have to keep yourself informed.

    Kind regards,

    Dirk
     
  19. Laure

    Laure Cyano Terminator

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    I have checked with the local municipality and they told me they only use chlorine and aim for a level of 0.8mg/l as it leaves the reservoir. I suspect that by the time it reaches my house there is even less. I aerate for 3 days before WC in my main tank, and then fill up and aerate for 4 days before WC in my other smaller tanks. I use the same drum which holds about 250l for all my tanks. I also add a little bit of bicarb to raise the kh as it is 1.7 out the tap. I don't worry about the bicarb raising the ph too much because once the water is in my tanks the ph pretty much always returns to about 6. And i do 50% in all my tanks weekly.
     

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