Water Warnings..

[thelastbetta]

There is a water warning going on where I am. My fish desperately need their tanks changed but I'm worried that if I use the tap water it'll harm my fish due to the e coli and salmonella found in the water supply. What am I to do? I need a lot of water so boiling isn't really an option.

 

[Lynden]

The E. coli and Salmonella are just warnings, and there isn't a 100 percent chance that the tap water in your precise area at your particular fill-up will have it. The fish will doubtfully be effected anyways, since E. coli and Salmonella are human pathogens. However, you might worry about contracting it yourself - especially if you don't know the exact strain (some strains of E. coli are nearly harmless to a healthy adult - some will ravage the body, causing life-threatening conditions . There is one strain that is particularly deadly, though I can't remember the number of it).

-Lynden

 

[thelastbetta]

As long as I don't consume any unboiled tap water I'm good, neither e coli or salmonella are airborne correct? Anyway, it should be fine for the fish then? the water on the island is really murky either way..

 

[Lynden]

neither e coli or salmonella are airborne correct

Yes. Both are foodborne illnesses.

However you do mention murky water... remember that E. coli comes from cow crap. It would be wise to test the water for ammonia before changing your fish tanks with it.

-Lynden

 

[blackbat]

i would be more worried about what they might put in the water to treat the germs to make it safe for humans. What is the rainfall like where you are? could you collect that to use instead?

 

[nadajdui]

The rainfall here is quite bad. I live in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and I face the same problems as TheLastBetta. We just had a storm a few days ago, and now there's another one going as we speak. Since November started we've barely had a period without rain. I, too, would need to boil a lot of water for a water chance. The water is murky everywhere, from taps to toilets.

I guess all we can really do is wait, and hope the fish turn out okay. I'm worried about my own health as well, as there is no way to tell what sort of things have been dumped into the resevoires because of the rain.

 

[blackbat]

That sucks
how much do water purifiers cost, would that not be better than boiling?
reminds me of that old saying when the land is parched and the water polluted and the trees all gone will man not learn that he can not eat, drink and breathe money

 

[nadajdui]

I imagine it would help, but there's no money in sight for one of those. Fancy that, huh?
blackbat, love the quote, do you know who said it?

 

[jayjay]

The saying is -

Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last river has been polluted and the last fish has been caught - only then do you realize that money can't buy everything.

I think? I read it every history lesson and I can't remember, (I sit next to a poster with it on and a Native American guy smoking some sort of a pipe).

Anyway back on topic, suppose RO isn't possible?

 

[blackbat]

don't knw read it on one of those quote type of websites lol
i prefer the one i read on the back of a loo door that read life is a journey not a destination lol very insightful concirdering it was the ladies lavs in a rock pub lol

 

[nadajdui]

Yeah, no way I can spend over $100. -makes a face-
If there's a solution that won't take forever, or cost a bundle I'd love to hear it haha.

 

[Tolak]

Since the bacteria in the water are less of an issue than what they are adding to the water I would suggest Prime to treat the water, with at least double if not triple the dose. My water gets increased additives after a heavy rain or other severe weather occurance. People have been dumping who knows what into Lake Michigan for 150+ years, all sorts of industrial waste, not to mention sewage. Rough weather churns up the bottom, and some of this gets introduced into the water supply.

I double dose with Prime once the weather changes after summer, triple dose if I'm forced to do water changes after a bad storm. I use a 4X dose on 10 gallon tanks after cleaning with a bleach solution, I use these for hatching & the first couple weeks of growing out angels.

 

[Underwurlde]

Treat your water with an antibacterial med. I think Ethyromycine (trade name – Maracyn) is what is available 'over there'?

Just a thought.

Andy

 

[Tolak]

Treat your water with an antibacterial med. I think Ethyromycine (trade name – Maracyn) is what is available 'over there'?

Just a thought.

Andy

That probably wouldn't hurt either. Salmonella & e-coli are bad for humans, but have no effect on fish. There may be bacteria present that affect fish, but have no effect on humans. Your water supplier doesn't care about those.

 

[TammyLiz]

i would be more worried about what they might put in the water to treat the germs to make it safe for humans. What is the rainfall like where you are? could you collect that to use instead?

I think that is the best idea I've heard yet. I know there are a lot of fish keepers in that area and it seems like all are worried about it. A lot of people are buying bottled water, but collecting all that rain and using it sounds like a good alternative if you don't mind paying to do a little setup for it. If its not an issue that comes about often, though, it might be more cost effective to just buy bottled.