Does Sulfur From Well Water Harm Fish?

[ajint boo]

Hi,
We live in an area where there is no public water supply so we have our own well. Our well water is fairly hard and contains sulfur. I have always let the water for water changes sit for at least 24 hrs. before putting it in the tank. The sulfur, which seems to be volatile dissipates during this time. If I were to put water directly from the tap into the tanks would the sulfur harm the fish?

 

[Aquarist]

Hello,

I also have well water with a hint of Sulfur smell. I have never added it directly into my aquariums as I prefilter, heat and treat my water for water changes for 7 days in 55 gallon drums. My pH is so high it is off the charts and by the end of the 7 days the pH has fallen to 8.0 which is where I keep my aquarium.

Although on the initial set up of my aquarium, many many years ago, of course I had to use my tap water. I do not recall there really being any issues. Sometimes trial and error goes a long way in the hobby. No one's water is exactly the same.

Too, by the end of the 7 days and by using Activated Carbon in my filter, the sulfur smell is completely gone.

Hopefully another member will chime in on the sulfur issue and adding your tap water directly to the aquarium.

I also use Prime Water Conditioner for all of my aquarium water.

Ken

 

[ajint boo]

I feel better knowing I'm not the only one with buckets of aging water around. I did learn the hard way that if I water some of my orchids without aging my sulfur tap water first it will kill them.. I think I will continue to age my water for changes to be safe.
I read on the Prime website that it is normal for Prime to have a slight sulfur smell. I thought that was interesting. I have never used Prime.

So I Googled around and found the answer to my own question. If anyone is interested the sulfur in my tap water is hydrogen sulfide. It is toxic to fish. Some species are more tolerant to it than others. The hydrogen sulfide is coming from the ground water in my area, which is on top of a large shale deposit. There are three ways to get rid of the hydrogen sulfide chlorination, filter through activated charcoal and letting the water sit exposed to air. By letting the sulfur water sit exposed to air the hydrogen sulfide reacts with the iron (I have plenty of that in my water as well) and precipitates out as elemental sulfur. Anyway I now know I can not put my tap water directly into my tanks without aging or treating it first. That is enough chemistry for me for the rest of the month.

 

[clydeman]

I also have well water with sulpher but I got a ro/dI system and now the water is good.

 

[ajint boo]

I have a small RO system as well but I still use tap water in my African cichlid tank. I drink the RO water. I'd really like to be able to use a Python...