Tap Water Chemistry

Stunna · Feb 4, 2017

I am moving in to my new house this coming week and want to either have my water tested or pick up some tests. I used APEC water systems in my last house and would like to use them again, but want to have an idea as to what I would like removed before purchasing a kit and not know what has been removed.

With that said, I would like to test for Chlorine, Chloramines, Water Hardness, Fluoride, Lead, and pretty much all of the other chemicals added.

Thoughts, opinions, and comments welcome!

Tuffyyyyy · Feb 5, 2017

Not sure about testing your house specifically but a good place to start might be your water works website. They should have recent water test results for your area.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 5, 2017

Stunna said:
I am moving in to my new house this coming week and want to either have my water tested or pick up some tests. I used APEC water systems in my last house and would like to use them again, but want to have an idea as to what I would like removed before purchasing a kit and not know what has been removed.

With that said, I would like to test for Chlorine, Chloramines, Water Hardness, Fluoride, Lead, and pretty much all of the other chemicals added.

Thoughts, opinions, and comments welcome!

My biggest concern with tap water is copper from your own pipes.

I discuss it here:

Aquarium Chemistry: Tap Water in Reef Aquaria ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2004/chem.htm

Stunna · Feb 5, 2017

Best way of testing water hardness (with strips, etc) to see if I'll need a water softener?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 6, 2017

Stunna said:
Best way of testing water hardness (with strips, etc) to see if I'll need a water softener?

Water softeners aren't useful for treating water for a reef tank (calcium and magnesium aren't a problem), and a general hardness test isn't useful either.

An RO/DI system eliminates any concerns. Short of that, it is mostly trial and error to use tap water unless you do expensive testing.

Stunna · Feb 6, 2017

Sorry Randy, this has no relationship to my tank. I have a dedicated RO/DI at my work for my tank.

I'm merely asking for living purposes only.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 6, 2017

Stunna said:
Sorry Randy, this has no relationship to my tank. I have a dedicated RO/DI at my work for my tank.

I'm merely asking for living purposes only.

Ah. Yes, a general hardness test would be a good way to assess the need for a water softener.