Theres no chlorine in my tap water??

A few months ago, I took two samples of water to PetSmart to get them tested. One was straight from the tap, the other from my tank.

The lady tested them for me, and they both turned out exactly the same, other than a sight variation between the two for one of the parameters that doesn't really matter (couldn't tell you which, but I could find out if you wanted). No chlorine or chloramines in either. I thought that maybe their test strips were bad or something, because city tap water should totally have bad stuff in it.

So today, I decided, I'll give it another shot. I rinsed the cup for the tap water sample in hot water, scrubbed around with my hand a bit, rinsed it again, and dried it out and filled it up. Did the tank for the water from the tank (only now this is a different tank, smaller and new, but seeded from an old tank). Same as before.

So maybe I don't really need water conditioner? Should I take my samples to a different store, and see if they get anything different? I don't want to risk my fish over a silly test strip, but curiosity has to know... What would you guys do in this situation?

Also, I don't have the money for my own kit, or the space to store one, so ATM, that's out of the question.

 

I would still add water conditioner. I personally don't trust the test strips anyway myself.

 

You can contact your water department and they will give you a report on what is in your tap water.

They may have a web site that can tell you too.

 

You can contact your water department and they will give you a report on what is in your tap water.

They may have a web site that can tell you too.

Ooh, that's a good idea. I'll do some Googling to see what I find...

*edit* So here's this, as of 2005...

https://uwf.edu/finance-and-administration/departments/environmental-health-and-safety

I'm trying to find something more recent, since a lot can change in 7 years.

**edit**

Oh, heres a 2010 one. Newest I can find.

https://uwf.edu/finance-and-administration/departments/environmental-health-and-safety

This says all they do is add Chlorine and hydrated lime (?), as a pH buffer.

Soooo, either the strips at PetSmart are ****, or, since this water repart came out, they have stopped using chlorine. I will say though, I don't really understand the whole thing, so anyone who can translate into normal people terms will be have my eternal love ;D

 

I read the report and came up with .66 ppm Chlorine, and .28 ppm Nitrate.
You definitely have chlorine, so keep using the conditioner.
( Pet Mountain has the API master test kit for around $20+ shipping)
It really IS necessary IMO.

 

I read the report and came up with .66 ppm Chlorine, and .28 ppm Nitrate.
You definitely have chlorine, so keep using the conditioner.

I saw that, too. Its just weird that the water tests at 0.

( Pet Mountain has the API master test kit for around $20+ shipping)
It really IS necessary IMO.

I'm saying I don't think that, but I'm in a dorm that I move in and out of several times a year, with a 10 hour car drive home. The less I have to move, and store, the better. My fish have been surviving on the test results of the strips the pet stores here, and at home, supply, and they give me a general idea of what needs to be done. Until have my own place, and more money, it'll just have to do.

Also, buy the time a pay shipping, I could have just driven down the street and bought one, and not have to wait

 

The API master test kit doesn't test chlorine or chloramines.

Either way I would use conditioner. Just because there is no chlorine in the water today doesn't mean there won't be tomorrow. Pretty cheap insurance if you ask me.

 

The API master test kit doesn't test chlorine or chloramines.
...

Wow, really? 'Cause that's honestly the only thing I really even care about.

 

Wow, really? 'Cause that's honestly the only thing I really even care about.

The API Master kit test PH high/low, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. If I was moving fish around several times a year then I would test for a filter crash as well as PH changes from tap water sources. Chlorine would be the least of my worries as it can be taken care of with a few very inexpensive drops.

You can also get an API Master Kit from Wally World for $25 to the store and home for like an additional $.97 last time I ordered one.

You can also get this kit for $17. It doesn't test nitrates but it does test GH and KH. I have used both kits side by side and they seem equally accurate though the API kit is easier.

And test strips are generally considered unreliable and inaccurate, so keep that in mind when making decisions. There are many products and product directions that do not do what they claim. For example; PH buffers, test strips, live sand, bacteria in bottle, changing media every 2 weeks, and so on.

Any way, good luck with your fishishes.

 

Wow, really? 'Cause that's honestly the only thing I really even care about.

Then just make sure when you do water changes to use a water conditioner to remove the chlorine. I don't ever test for anything anymore. I use Prime, and do 50% water changes every week. I do have a API master test kit. Its gathering dust in the cabinet of one of my aquariums.

 

I don't think pet stores can really test for chlorine. I wouldn't trust a strip.

 

Good morning,

Check out the link above. Maybe you can find this same Chlorine Test Kit at your local/chain fish store.

Ken

 

I have both the test strips and the liquid tests.

The strips are great for giving you a quick ballpark figure, if any of em look truely funky I test with my liquid, not too much difference. The liquid just gives a more refined result

 

The API Master kit test PH high/low, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. If I was moving fish around several times a year then I would test for a filter crash as well as PH changes from tap water sources. Chlorine would be the least of my worries as it can be taken care of with a few very inexpensive drops.

You can also get an API Master Kit from Wally World for $25 to the store and home for like an additional $.97 last time I ordered one.

You can also get this kit for $17. It doesn't test nitrates but it does test GH and KH. I have used both kits side by side and they seem equally accurate though the API kit is easier.

And test strips are generally considered unreliable and inaccurate, so keep that in mind when making decisions. There are many products and product directions that do not do what they claim. For example; PH buffers, test strips, live sand, bacteria in bottle, changing media every 2 weeks, and so on.

Any way, good luck with your fishishes.

Ok, I do take what I said back, just a little. Ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are also something I watch for, but here, with the water I have coming out of the tap, its nothing that can't be fixed with a water change. Where as, as my moms house, there's a lot of ammonia coming straight out of the tap. Hardness, alkalinity and pH, etc, are things I don't really care about. Fish are adaptable.

Oh, I know. I've been at this almost 6 years, teaching my self for about 1/2 of it, until I found this sight

Thank you

Then just make sure when you do water changes to use a water conditioner to remove the chlorine. I don't ever test for anything anymore. I use Prime, and do 50% water changes every week. I do have a API master test kit. Its gathering dust in the cabinet of one of my aquariums.

I do accept free gifts

I don't think pet stores can really test for chlorine. I wouldn't trust a strip.

What makes you think that? I've seen the back of the bottles PetSmart uses, and they have all those tests.

Good morning,

Check out the link above. Maybe you can find this same Chlorine Test Kit at your local/chain fish store.

Ken

Ooh, that's handy! I wonder if any of the stores around here have one of those.... Once I get back to work and get a pay check, I'll have to hit every pet store in town, and see what my options are.

I have both the test strips and the liquid tests.

The strips are great for giving you a quick ballpark figure, if any of em look truely funky I test with my liquid, not too much difference. The liquid just gives a more refined result

Kind of what I figure lol

 

Where as, as my moms house, there's a lot of ammonia coming straight out of the tap. Hardness, alkalinity and pH, etc, are things I don't really care about. Fish are adaptable.

Fish are very adaptable, but sudden changes in PH will kill them. My point was that if going from school tap water to home tap water if the change in PH is significant, then testing would give you an idea on how long to acclimate the fish. And that sucks that your home tap water has ammonia in it. It's funny that we all have tap water issues to deal with. Mine is a 7.8 PH, but very stable...No problem. The other is a KH of 3-4 degrees so I add cuddle bone to my snail farm and aragonite and a little sodium bicarbonate to my brackish tanks.

And I'm pretty much one of those people that never test. Water changes and proper filtration do the trick. You know how it is, once you've done this long enough you know what causes problems and what to look for. I do test occasionally(couple months) for the heck of it or if something has been changed or moved around. But I do check my KH and salinity regularly in the brackish tanks and mixing vessel.

Heck, for us MTS sufferers it would cost too much to test on a regular bases.

 

Fish are very adaptable, but sudden changes in PH will kill them. My point was that if going from school tap water to home tap water if the change in PH is significant, then testing would give you an idea on how long to acclimate the fish. And that sucks that your home tap water has ammonia in it. It's funny that we all have tap water issues to deal with. Mine is a 7.8 PH, but very stable...No problem. The other is a KH of 3-4 degrees so I add cuddle bone to my snail farm and aragonite and a little sodium bicarbonate to my brackish tanks.

And I'm pretty much one of those people that never test. Water changes and proper filtration do the trick. You know how it is, once you've done this long enough you know what causes problems and what to look for. I do test occasionally(couple months) for the heck of it or if something has been changed or moved around. But I do check my KH and salinity regularly in the brackish tanks and mixing vessel.

Heck, for us MTS sufferers it would cost too much to test on a regular bases.

I always drip acclimate my fish. Nice and slow. Usually about 2 hours, depending on if I caught them from the river, or if I bought them (only about 30 mins if I buy them). When I moved my 10 gallon home for winter break, I drip acclimated the fish all day. I knew the water was that different. The water (mainly the ammonia, really) at home finally did my Ram in about a week before I moved back to school :/

If I ever do anything fancier than a planted freshwater tank, I'll worry about much else, but right now, my system is working lol

 

You can check amazon too. Seems like the last time I saw an API test kit on there it was a lot cheaper than anywhere else even with shipping.

 

You can check amazon too. Seems like the last time I saw an API test kit on there it was a lot cheaper than anywhere else even with shipping.

I love amazon. And eBay LOL Definitely both good places to look when I'm ready to get one