Water Question

[-- pelirojaroja]

Hello,

Our kids have enjoyed freshwater aquariums for several years in Ohio.
However, we have now moved to the central coast of California (halfway
between LA and SF). The municipal tap water here is very hard,
probably acidic, and has been described as "corrosive" to pipes and
plumbing. (We can attest to this, having undergone some extensive
plumbing repairs due to corroded pipes and fixtures.)

I would like to set up the aquariums again, and re-establish the
balance that we had previously. But I am unsure about which water
source to use as the base. Here are the choices:

1. Untreated, "hard" municipal water (the "corrosive" type)
2. softened water (I am assuming that this is not good)
3. reverse-osmosis filtered water (our drinking water source)
4. something else (possibly purchased "spring" water?)

Our tap water in Ohio worked just fine (once de-chlorinated, etc.),
but this situation seems different. If anyone has a recommendation, I
would appreciate it.

Thanks,

- Lisa

[Charles]

On 4 Nov 2004 19:50:12 -0800, (--
pelirojaroja) wrote:

>Hello,
>
>Our kids have enjoyed freshwater aquariums for several years in Ohio.
>However, we have now moved to the central coast of California (halfway
>between LA and SF). The municipal tap water here is very hard,
>probably acidic, and has been described as "corrosive" to pipes and
>plumbing. (We can attest to this, having undergone some extensive
>plumbing repairs due to corroded pipes and fixtures.)
>
>I would like to set up the aquariums again, and re-establish the
>balance that we had previously. But I am unsure about which water
>source to use as the base. Here are the choices:
>
>1. Untreated, "hard" municipal water (the "corrosive" type)
>2. softened water (I am assuming that this is not good)
>3. reverse-osmosis filtered water (our drinking water source)
>4. something else (possibly purchased "spring" water?)
>
>Our tap water in Ohio worked just fine (once de-chlorinated, etc.),
>but this situation seems different. If anyone has a recommendation, I
>would appreciate it.
>
>Thanks,
>
>- Lisa


First get a copy of the water quality report from the city. Then
you'll know what you are fighting for sure.

acid hard water is quite uncommon, I would want to know more about it
before doing anything.

RO water is good if you add back some minerals, but that means always
tampering with the water during water change. It is easier if you can
accommodate whatever qualities your water has.


--

- Charles
-
-does not play well with others

[Toni]

"-- pelirojaroja" > wrote in message
om...
> Hello,
>
> Our kids have enjoyed freshwater aquariums for several years in Ohio.
> However, we have now moved to the central coast of California (halfway
> between LA and SF). The municipal tap water here is very hard,
> probably acidic, and has been described as "corrosive" to pipes and
> plumbing. (We can attest to this, having undergone some extensive
> plumbing repairs due to corroded pipes and fixtures.)
>
> I would like to set up the aquariums again, and re-establish the
> balance that we had previously. But I am unsure about which water
> source to use as the base.


Before you make any decidions, draw out a small amount of tapwater, and let
it sit out in a glass overnight.
Then run a full battery of tests on it. Until you really know what you are
dealing with it is hard to make a call on which way to go.


--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/discus.htm

[-- pelirojaroja]

Thanks, everyone. I will follow your advice to find out exactly what
kind of tap water I have. Thanks again for the advice.

- Lisa

"Toni" > wrote in message >...
> "-- pelirojaroja" > wrote in message
> om...
> > Hello,
> >
> > Our kids have enjoyed freshwater aquariums for several years in Ohio.
> > However, we have now moved to the central coast of California (halfway
> > between LA and SF). The municipal tap water here is very hard,
> > probably acidic, and has been described as "corrosive" to pipes and
> > plumbing. (We can attest to this, having undergone some extensive
> > plumbing repairs due to corroded pipes and fixtures.)
> >
> > I would like to set up the aquariums again, and re-establish the
> > balance that we had previously. But I am unsure about which water
> > source to use as the base.
>
>
> Before you make any decidions, draw out a small amount of tapwater, and let
> it sit out in a glass overnight.
> Then run a full battery of tests on it. Until you really know what you are
> dealing with it is hard to make a call on which way to go.

[Billy]

"-- pelirojaroja" > wrote in message
...
| Thanks, everyone. I will follow your advice to find out exactly
what
| kind of tap water I have. Thanks again for the advice.
|


Keep posting, let us know how things go. :)

billy

[Tedd Jacobs]

"-- pelirojaroja" wrote...
> Hello,
>
> Our kids have enjoyed freshwater aquariums for several years in Ohio.
> However, we have now moved to the central coast of California (halfway
> between LA and SF). The municipal tap water here is very hard,
> probably acidic, and has been described as "corrosive" to pipes and
> plumbing. (We can attest to this, having undergone some extensive
> plumbing repairs due to corroded pipes and fixtures.)
>
> I would like to set up the aquariums again, and re-establish the
> balance that we had previously. But I am unsure about which water
> source to use as the base. Here are the choices:
>
> 1. Untreated, "hard" municipal water (the "corrosive" type)
> 2. softened water (I am assuming that this is not good)
> 3. reverse-osmosis filtered water (our drinking water source)
> 4. something else (possibly purchased "spring" water?)
>
> Our tap water in Ohio worked just fine (once de-chlorinated, etc.),
> but this situation seems different. If anyone has a recommendation, I
> would appreciate it.
>
> Thanks,
>
> - Lisa

just because noone else has mentioned it; have you yet tried asking your
LFS. the fish you will be dealing with will undoubtably be coming from
their water and the most ideal option may actually be to do what they do.

tedd

--
"Is it parsimonious to shave with Occam's razor?"

[DJay]

Lisa,

I moved to the Central Coast 5 years ago and have had aquariums going for
the past 4 years. I currently have a 70 gal heavily planted tank. I'd be
happy to give you some local pointers!

Djay

"-- pelirojaroja" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks, everyone. I will follow your advice to find out exactly what
> kind of tap water I have. Thanks again for the advice.
>
> - Lisa
>
> "Toni" > wrote in message
>...
> > "-- pelirojaroja" > wrote in message
> > om...
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > Our kids have enjoyed freshwater aquariums for several years in Ohio.
> > > However, we have now moved to the central coast of California (halfway
> > > between LA and SF). The municipal tap water here is very hard,
> > > probably acidic, and has been described as "corrosive" to pipes and
> > > plumbing. (We can attest to this, having undergone some extensive
> > > plumbing repairs due to corroded pipes and fixtures.)
> > >
> > > I would like to set up the aquariums again, and re-establish the
> > > balance that we had previously. But I am unsure about which water
> > > source to use as the base.
> >
> >
> > Before you make any decidions, draw out a small amount of tapwater, and
let
> > it sit out in a glass overnight.
> > Then run a full battery of tests on it. Until you really know what you
are
> > dealing with it is hard to make a call on which way to go.