Re: [Killietalk] Chloramine (non sic)

[LeeH920226 at aol_com]

In a message dated 2/2/04 1:34:59 PM, whuntley at verizon_net writes:

<< 
I have seen way too many sad situations, myself, to be comfortable with 
your blanket endorsement of hypo for treating chloramine.
 >>

For what it's worth. I have used hypo for years without any obvious problems, 
except on those few occasions when I did not add enough to totally destroy 
the chlorine. I don't know when the chloramine came into our supply. However, my 
increased growth and breeding with my flow through water system may also be 
due to the use of the carbon filter instead of hypo to eliminate chlorine. 
    Now just for the sake of prolonging this discussion, assume that you have 
4 ppm chlorine/chloramine in your water and you destroy the 
chlorine/chloramine with hypo. The molecular weight of chlorine is 70.91. The molecular weight 
of Chloramine is 51.48. Assuming the ammonia produced by hypo is 100% yield 
then the concentration of ammonia will be 51.48/70.91 or .726 times the 4 ppm or 
2.9 ppm ammonia. The reaction of chlorine with sodium thiosulfate (hypo) also 
produces hydrochloric acid and sodium sulfate. So, without other influences, 
the ammonia will be as the chloride or sulfate salt. Of course at pH above 
about, 8.2 the equilibrium shifts to free ammonia, but not 100% until you reach 
higher pH. So mixing chemistry and political mediation, I think both Wright and 
Charles can be considered right if the pH is low and the water changes are 
moderate. I believe that ammonia concentrations below 1 ppm are considered OK. 
Above 2 ppm is considered dangerous. So a 35% water change should not produce 
dangerous levels of ammonia under the above conditions of chlorine/chloramine 
level. In Tanganyikan and Saltwater aquariums the risk is greater because of 
the high pH.
Starting today I have altered my water changing techniques for my large tanks 
so the water supply for my Tanganyikan tank will come from the carbon filter 
rather than direct from the tap using hypo. If I must use hypo for that tank I 
will also add Amquel to take care of the ammonia. Now if Amquel will kill the 
Malaysian livebearing snails I will have a bonus effect.

Lee Harper
Media, PA

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