Chlorine or Chloramine is added to most domestic
water supplies. They kill the bacteria and other germs. Unfortunately
they are also poisonous to fish. The effect on fish is very rapid and the
Chlorine or Chloramine should by removed
before the water comes into contact with fish. Turtles are more resistant to Chlorine and Chloramine, but some
deaths have been reported from Chloramine poisoning.
In the some areas Chlorine
is added. This can be removed by adding the recommended rate of
any of the Chlorine removers sold in aquarium shops.
Another way of removing it is to allow the water to stand for
24 hours in an open container. Some domestic water filters will
remove
Chlorine and Chloramine.
In the Adelaide Hills
most of the areas have Chloramine
added, despite the health problems apparently caused by it in some people. (The cause and effect relationship has not been proved.)
This is a combination of Chlorine
and Ammonia. This is much more stable than
chlorine alone and is much more
poisonous to fish. To get rid of it by allowing the water to stand, if
the water is clean, would require at least 3
weeks.
The more common way of removing it is to add a Chlorine remover.
The rate needs to be 5 times the recommended rate. Not all Chlorine
removers are
safe at this rate. Wardley "Tristart", Aquarium Pharmaceuticals "Super Strength Tap Water Conditioner" and CPV
"Complete Water Treatment' are all safe at the concentration required.
These products at 5 times
the normal rate will all remove the Chlorine, but only the CPV one detoxifies
the Ammonia as well. With the others, if the
pH is lowered to below 7.2, the
Ammonia from the Chloramine should be below the dangerous level.
An established tank should not normally need to be completely emptied. Normally a partial change using
a gravel washer will be sufficient.
This will reduce problems caused by water changes.
