Toxic Tapwater

[Fly258]

I have been trying to get my nitrIte down to zero (its 0.25 ppm) by doing a 20% water change each day, to no effect. Ammonia is zero and nitrAte is 10 ppm (as is my tapwater)
I decided to test my tapwater for nitrIte, and was amazed to find it is also 0.25 ppm. Is this the norm? If it is, how do I get it down to zero? I'm sure when I tested my tapwater a month ago the nitrIte was zero. If things get any worse the water will be coming out of the tap in lumps!
Regards
Jim

 

[semper fi]

through some research and alot of questions (cichlidmaster can be seen rolling his eyes right now!) i have found that at certain times city pipes are flushed. what this means is that all of the gunk collected in the pipes is flushed through the water system. not enought to raise above the required 10 ppm for nitrites as required by the fda, but enough. that is why i always check my tap water before doing water changes.

one thing that does cause the nitrites to be lowered is plants. aquatic plants need a certain amount of nitrites to feed on. by adding plants into the aquarium will help to lower your nitrites. now the question should be directed at rose as to what plants you can add that will help to lower your nitrates and not feed your fish. pacus are notorious for eating plants. the hardier plants they will not have much to do with. the faster growing plants feed on more of the nitrates than slower growing ones. you might want to invest in a wet dry which is the sump is big enough could filter all of your tanks. the plants can be in the sump out of the fish reach and still eat on the nitrates.

maggie

 

[Andi]

Hi jim, I had a big problem with nitrAte >100 and found out my tap water was over 50!! (against all regulations) now you tell me I should test for nitrItes as well, though my tank is currently ok <0.1

 

[Gibbo]

Maybe runoff from the fields/agriculture getting into supply somehow? Get in touch with your local water authority, it dosn't sound good! Try storing your water in a butt for a day or so and retest it, see if that helps.

 

[semper fi]

i don't think anything could be helped being stored in a butt! atleast not mine!

i don't think i could squinch my butt checks together to store water there for a day or so!

 

[Gibbo]

What kind of mind do you have!!?

I think I'd have a face like this if that could be done -

 

[Andi]

mm, you 'butting' into a serious discussion sf? ' cheeky'

gibbo, I think I had this talk in another room - standing water isnt really an option. I will contact the water board if it persists tho.

 

[cichlidmaster]

Your bad...little sister......

I am sending you to bed with no new cichlids for a week...

 

[Fly258]

Just spoke to my local water authority, they tell me 0.25 of nitrIte is quite acceptable I'm going to try some filtered rain water later to see if thats any better.
Regards
Jim

 

[ajwaters]

I would test any water that you put in the tank.. I was goin to one RO supply and there water was worse then what was coming out of my tap.

 

[semper fi]

hey cm, could you imagine keeping the water needed for your water changes like that? seriously though, what is a butt? never heard of it before.

maggie

 

[William]

Its like a big bucket