We seem to have rusty tap water lately. The water tanks being in here for 24 years probably doesn't help. I've noticed lately that my snails like to stay above the water line. Could excess iron be the cause? Also my tanks have had a brown tint, and sometimes the tap water will come out brown. I also noticed rust spots on my laundry last night. This link www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/ironFS.htm seems to describe our tap water perfectly. The fish seem completely unaffected, but since snails are more sensitive to things like this I'm guessing it's the problem.
What effect would excess rust have on snails?
- Thread starter ROLLIN
- Start date
Anyone else agree that this sounds like the problem? I guess in the mean time I'll have to try to scrape up the money to get a reverse osmosis unit.
RO is not an appropriate method for removing dissolved rust. You would be better off with a filter that is designed for that purpose. The rust would clog the RO very quickly.
If you were just wanting to go RO, with water like that, you would need to pre-treat the water before putting it through the RO.
Either that, or buy stock in the company that manufactures the replacement membrane cartridges... the profijts from the stock will offset the cost of constantly buying new membranes. :joke:
If you were just wanting to go RO, with water like that, you would need to pre-treat the water before putting it through the RO.
Either that, or buy stock in the company that manufactures the replacement membrane cartridges... the profijts from the stock will offset the cost of constantly buying new membranes. :joke:
What would I need to remove the rust? I think we're getting our water tanks changed, so hopefully that will help. I hope something will help or I may have to give fish keeping up. The fish don't deserve to live in rusty water.
They make sediment/rust filters that you can use, you would just tap in to the water line near the faucet. Home Depot carries them. Way cheaper than RO too.
In fact, they even carry the ones you can install in the main line coming into the house, which will keep the rust out of everything, and will no doubt prevent damage to appliances, clothes. and if you have it as bad as my daughter did - keep blond hair from turning orange. Tying in to the main is pretty simple... it's finding the bloomin' thing that can be a pain.
As an added bonus, most of these filters also dechlorinate but not all do, be sure to check. And since the in-line type removes the junk before it gets into the house, it means that both hot and cold water are cleaned up.
In fact, they even carry the ones you can install in the main line coming into the house, which will keep the rust out of everything, and will no doubt prevent damage to appliances, clothes. and if you have it as bad as my daughter did - keep blond hair from turning orange. Tying in to the main is pretty simple... it's finding the bloomin' thing that can be a pain.
As an added bonus, most of these filters also dechlorinate but not all do, be sure to check. And since the in-line type removes the junk before it gets into the house, it means that both hot and cold water are cleaned up.
So if I get one of these filters it should be safe for the fish again?
Edit: Would something on this page work? http://www.inspiredliving.com/water-purifiers/
Edit: Would something on this page work? http://www.inspiredliving.com/water-purifiers/
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ROLLIN said:
I use one on the line coming into my house. I am on well water, and it has a lot of sediment in the water coming in. This works great, aside from changing the filter cartridge once a month. Luckily, the cartridges ar $7 for a 2 pack.
Definately do it on the main line, to keep from messing up things like your water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, etc...
mr_bentley78 said:
What one do you use? Would one of the brita filters that hooks up to the tap work? It says they remove sediments. I don't know if I would want to do it on the main line before it gets to anything else or not because I think the source of the rust is in the water tanks or the pipes.
i would call a plumber and get your pipes and or heater unit checked/replaced, you dont want to drink that... and its not going to be good for you fish either...
as for filters, something like that brita filter would work, as most of those filters can be cleaned instead of being replaced
as for filters, something like that brita filter would work, as most of those filters can be cleaned instead of being replaced