Chlorine... Can It Evaporate?

[dgwebster]

Ok, i was reading an article on "how to clean your fish bowl" for amusement (i disagree with goldfish bowls) and read "fill with tap water and leave for 24 hours to come to room temperature and to allow the chlorine to evaporate."

Dont get me wrong, I have no intention of discontinueing to add water treatment, but is this true? can chlorine evaporate naturally and more to the point, to a level safe enough for fish?

 

[shrimply]

Yes it is a old fashioned technique to leave water sitting for a week befor adding it to the tank.

In fact tap water is better for you than bottled water but only if you leave it over nght in a jug in the fridge to let the chlorine evaporate

 

[dgwebster]

hmm, I often let my water sit for several days with a heater in it to bring it up to tank temperature (im sure you have the same issue as me in that your tap water is coming out at about 5C at the moment?)

although i think i'll still put the conditioner in...

 

[shrimply]

Well I would. Remember that conditioner doesn't just remove chlorine. Thstuff I use protects against stress and helps do other things as well(apparently)

 

[dgwebster]

precisely.

 

[Bloo]

Yes it can. But chloramines and heavy metals do not (often lethal for tank life). That's why you require a conditoner (such as API stress coat) that does this.

 

[Teelie]

It really depends on the dechlorinator you use. Some have added "stresscoat" stuff in it, some don't remove chloramines and some detoxify ammonia as well.

 

[Bignose]

What water conditioner does what: http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/rev-cond.htm

Your water company should be able to give you a list of what method they use to treat your water (chlorine or chloramine) and a list of some of the heavy metals in the water, as well.

Re:

In fact tap water is better for you than bottled water but only if you leave it over nght in a jug in the fridge to let the chlorine evaporate

I don't get this comment at all. Why leave it in the fridge? The cooler water will allow a little more chlorine to say dissolved in the water (cooler liquids dissolve more gas). It may not be a significant amount more, but it would be more than room temperature. You would have to heat up the water before you put it in the tank. And lastly, if your fridge is relatively air-tight, that chlorine goes somewhere -- again it probably isn't really all too dangerous, but having chlorine gas floating around the fridge with the food just seems unappetizing to me.

 

[dgwebster]

you should come and get some of my water then... it is bottled and sold in the market, albeit from a slightly higher reservior which feeds dundee's main one when it gets a little dry. We have a small amount of chlorine added and it picks up very few minerals. I am also led to believe that we have the only water supply in britain that doesnt have flouride added to it either.

only under emergency do i use cold tap water, mixed with a small amount of boiled water to raise the temperature a bit.

 

[Bloo]

Stop bragging and rubbing it in !



Only kidding you are so lucky to have such lovely water up there.

 

[Bryan]

Re:

In fact tap water is better for you than bottled water but only if you leave it over nght in a jug in the fridge to let the chlorine evaporate

I don't get this comment at all. Why leave it in the fridge?

I think the key word is "you". I could be wrong, but I think he's referring to water your going to drink not add to your tank. If your going to add it to your tank of course you won't put it in the fridge. This was my thought on what he said, it's what I do, I put a gallon bottle in the fridge over night for my drinking water. Minerals are very important to your health and you won't get them with purified bottled drinking water. That's why he's saying tap water is better for "you" than bottled water.
However, I agree with you on the chlorine in the fridge, when you open the door, any gas will instantly be gone, but what about it getting into the food.

 

[dgwebster]

Stop bragging and rubbing it in !



Only kidding you are so lucky to have such lovely water up there.

that im well aware of lol. my sister lives in camden, i was nearly sick the first time i got a glass of water when i visited. was having problems with the water in america too, and that was with softeners fitted.

im still wondering about buying a small home reverse osmosis system though, surely in the long run it must be better value for money?

 

[Teelie]

Long term they are cheaper than buying it in stores but it is a big upfront cost for some.

 

[dgwebster]

what about against cost of water conditioner?

 

[shrimply]

Re:

In fact tap water is better for you than bottled water but only if you leave it over nght in a jug in the fridge to let the chlorine evaporate

I don't get this comment at all. Why leave it in the fridge? The cooler water will allow a little more chlorine to say dissolved in the water (cooler liquids dissolve more gas). It may not be a significant amount more, but it would be more than room temperature. You would have to heat up the water before you put it in the tank. And lastly, if your fridge is relatively air-tight, that chlorine goes somewhere -- again it probably isn't really all too dangerous, but having chlorine gas floating around the fridge with the food just seems unappetizing to me.

Yeah I ws reffering to humans drinking water. I don't know all the ins and outs. Just something my dad goes on about. Apparently leaving it over night in the fridge does the same as the expensive filter jugs you buy.

Me personally, I just drink it out the tap.