Page 50 - Water and the Aquarium
P. 50
GARGAS: Water and the Aquarium Page 50
GARGAS: Water and the Aquarium
Page 50
GARGAS: Water and the Aquarium Page 50
a “slug of water” through your lines that can be higher as this is what I
a “slug of water” through your lines that can be higher as this is what I
have experienced.
have experienced.
Chlorine effect fish by actually burning the gills. However, when
Chlorine effect fish by actually burning the gills. However, when
I lived in the Chicago area my water only had 1 ppm chlorine I was able
I lived in the Chicago area my water only had 1 ppm chlorine I was able
to add it in the aquarium with the fish and never suffered any effects as it
to add it in the aquarium with the fish and never suffered any effects as it
was neutralized immediately on contact with the water in the aquarium.
was neutralized immediately on contact with the water in the aquarium.
The mechanism of toxicity of Chloramine in fish is well known. Chlora-
The mechanism of toxicity of Chloramine in fish is well known. Chlora-
mine will pass through the gills of fish and enter the blood stream. There,
mine will pass through the gills of fish and enter the blood stream. There,
it reacts with hemoglobin, forming methemoglobin. The fish then suffer
it reacts with hemoglobin, forming methemoglobin. The fish then suffer
from anoxia (low oxygen in their tissues) because they have lost some of
from anoxia (low oxygen in their tissues) because they have lost some of
their hemoglobin, which is responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood.
their hemoglobin, which is responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood.
You may have seen this and not even realized it as very small amounts of
You may have seen this and not even realized it as very small amounts of
chloramine can cause this without killing the fish. The fish are not active
chloramine can cause this without killing the fish. The fish are not active
and just “hang” sort off. The amount that can cause this is 0.0056 ppm
and just “hang” sort off. The amount that can cause this is 0.0056 ppm
which is extremely low and most aquarists do not have the equipment to
which is extremely low and most aquarists do not have the equipment to
test for this.
test for this.
I have found a very inexpensive way to do this with the kit I
I have found a very inexpensive way to do this with the kit I
mentioned above. However, when you test you view the result from
mentioned above. However, when you test you view the result from
ABOVE over a white background and you view one sample with the
ABOVE over a white background and you view one sample with the
reagent added and one that is a blank you do this to pick up any yellow
reagent added and one that is a blank you do this to pick up any yellow
tint as that will give you a positive reading for an oxidant and down here
tint as that will give you a positive reading for an oxidant and down here
in the Tampa area in fact over 90% of the state Chloramine is used in
in the Tampa area in fact over 90% of the state Chloramine is used in
drinking water.
drinking water.
See Below sample on the left is the actual test on the right is the
See Below sample on the left is the actual test on the right is the
blank.
blank.
They look almost the same
They look almost the same
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