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Re: [APD] Re: treating for both in well water
SunflwrgrlS at aol_com wrote:
Perhaps I read that post wrong, but I don't suggest treating for
ammonia/clorine/cloramines in well water unless you've tested it and found this sort of
thing present. I have well water and have none of those things, although I have
a whole house filter because I get sand in my water. I used to add declor
products "just in case" and it didnt seem to matter in my larger tanks. However,
my 10 gallon Q tank in which I did frequent water changes, I persistent green
water and poor luck with Ottos (ok, I realize that Ottos are sensitive,
but...). One day I decided against using declor. Believe it or not, with that
first un-declor water change, the green water started going away. Within a few
days, it was gone! It hasn't come back and I haven't lost an Otto since (knocks
on wood). I'm not quite sure I subscribe to the theory to add chemicals
"just in case" (although I did before). Maybe we ought to find out if they are
necessary first?
I heartily agree with this sentiment. Know what you are doing, whenever
possible. Avoid guessing if it can add problems. Chloramine has been a
problem in agricultural areas for many years. [Long before EPA entered
with its jackboot methods. :-)] Doesn't mean you have any.
If you do not add chlorine, yourself, it is most unlikely that your
water has any chlorine or chloramine. If it has ammonium/ammonia from ag
runoff, you might need to do *two* tests.
A standard salicylate ammonia test can detect down to below 0.25 ppm of
combined ammonia/ammonium. If *any* can be detected, measure pH. It is
important that you keep pH well below 8, if any NH4+/NH3 can be
detected. That way, most stays as ammonium until plants or biofilter can
use it and remove from the water. The ammonium ion is relatively
harmless, like the chloride ion. Elemental ammonia, OTOH, is really
damaging, even worse than elemental chlorine at times, and at far lower
levels. It is 50X higher at pH=9 than at 7.
Rather than add "pH-Down" or other such chemicals that may feed algae
and upset metabolic processes, I prefer to add a carbon filter to the
incoming supply, and run it slow enough to grab all the
ammonium/chlorine/chloramine that might be present. YMMV. [Again,
frequent tests may be needed to detect "punch-through" when the
cartridge is saturated or to set your max safe flow rate.]
You might be able to replace the sand and sediment cartridge in an
ordinary household filter with a "taste and odor" carbon filter and get
all the benefits in one device. [Test!]
Wright
PS. I never use the ammonium/ammonia tests that are based on Nessler's
Reagent. They contain mercury, and IDK how to safely get rid of the test
water.
--
Wright Huntley - Rt. 001 Box K36, Bishop CA 93514 - whuntley at verizon_net
760 872-3995
Eschew obfuscation and bloviation!
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