Chloromine In Jhb water?

Hi Liaquat,

Thanks for helping out there, clearly I am not quite up to date on this.

All I can say is that I am glad that I am not in Gauteng! Although you then clearly cannot go without one of the dechlorinators that you have mentioned this means that all water must be treated in this way and that the compounds in the dechlorinators will remain in your water. Although I know that these amounts are not high, I would be worried with my fish that require very soft water.

Many thanks and kind regards,

Dirk

 

Mix RO with tap water in a small bucket as an experiment. Take 1l of each. Then measure the kh and gh with a good quality test kit. If you are not happy, then mix in another cup (250ml) of RO water. Take another reading. You will soon arrive at a ratio that provides your required kh and gk readings.

 

Don't worry...

Hello Dirk

Knowing below should make matters manageable, and easy to understand without any fear of unknown chemical additive/residues:

Not an issue really!

Such products often contain sodium hydroxymethanesulfonate (HOCH2SO3Na)
Since it breaks chloramines and detoxifies both chlorine and ammonia.

The resulting aminomethanesulfonate (H2NCH2SO3Na) is nontoxic and is usually consumed by nitrifying bacteria in the biofilter.

NH2Cl + HOCH2SO3Na ↔ H2NCH2SO3Na + HOCl

HOCl + HOCH2SO3Na ↔ H2NCH2SO4Na + HCl

NH3 + HOCH2SO3Na ↔ H2NCH2SO3Na + H2O

Pros: relatively inexpensive per volume treated, products may also remove toxic metals (check label)
Cons: none (1st time buyer - price?)

Also with softer water,established aquaria and incorporated biofilters invariably settle down to lower pH quicker.
( A chronic condition we choose to harness and/or battle in our own ways.)

However with equilibrium for Ammonia shifting to relatively nontoxic NH4+ in acid medium.
If NOT, then AGAIN nothing a functional biofilter cannot cope with.

Such a Minor sodium component, and no other species that interact or harden/soften water further.:noworry: