View Full Version : Flushing water system with acid
So I was told by my LFS guy that occasionaly the water people will flush the system with dilute acids to keep buildup from happening. Has anyone heard of this. It was his explanation as to why my tank pH seemed to drop (I have since figured out it was due to low buffer and too small of water changes). Just wondering if it is something we should be looking for.
I would phone the water guy but last time I did and asked what was added to the water he went paranoid and asked me why I thought he would add anything to the water? Anyway I guess I can call him again but would arther not have to if anyone else knows about this.
fdiaz78
01-20-2004, 1:09 PM
Originally posted by TKOS
So I was told by my LFS guy that occasionaly the water people will flush the system with dilute acids to keep buildup from happening. Has anyone heard of this. It was his explanation as to why my tank pH seemed to drop (I have since figured out it was due to low buffer and too small of water changes). Just wondering if it is something we should be looking for.
I would phone the water guy but last time I did and asked what was added to the water he went paranoid and asked me why I thought he would add anything to the water? Anyway I guess I can call him again but would arther not have to if anyone else knows about this.
Some people have tried using small amounts of Hydrogene Perixiode(sp?) 3%, which reacts with organics in the water. Do a google search on this practice before you try anything. Good luck.
Cearbhaill
01-20-2004, 1:11 PM
I get notices from my city water department several times a year when they do this.
Usually its a "low pressure" or "general maintenance" notice, but at least they let me know they are doing things to the water.
You should at least be able to get a copy of a water quality report (or however they phrase it)- don't know why a city employee would freak out when asked questions by a taxpayer.
Ask to speak to his supervisor.
It was the supervisor that I had spoken with, scarey guy. I told him I was keeping tropical fish and wanted to know what he added to the cities drinking water in way of chemical and other additives. He thought I was wondering if he was trying to add poison to the water or something.
Cearbhaill
01-20-2004, 2:16 PM
Try asking for a copy of their annual water quality analysis/report.
I believe it is an EPA requirement that water companies release the reports on all the required analyses. That does include all agents added to the system by the processor.
The bureaucrat was trying to avoid doing his job. Escalate.