> I called the water company to see what's up. They're putting in 3.5
> PPM chlorine in the form of chloramine since they provide water up to
> 40 miles away.
Treating with standard declorinators releases the
ammonia in the chloramine. DON'T use the standard
declorinator!
> I don't know what's "normal," but 3.5 PPM seems kind of high. What
> kind of dosage do I need to be using? Also, if I'm using water with
> 3.5PPM chloramine and dechlorinate, do I get 3.5PPM amonia when I'm
> done? Yikes!
3.5 ppm = 35 g/L which is alot!
> I also learned that the pH is high, like around 8.5, maybe as high as
> 9, never below 8. They raise it primarily with lyme. I think I'm
> fated to never be able to grow plants. Apparently the reason the pH
> is high is because of lead and copper used in the water systems. That
> seems to be typical in the midwestern US, or at least that's what it's
> been like the last 3 places I've lived. Is there an easier way of
> de-lyming water, except something like RO?
The high pH means that most of the ammonia will be
ammonia! not ammonium so it will be a very dangerous
situation! You will have to bring down the pH or do
smaller water changes.
Yes! you can grow plants. Most of the floating plants
will be able to take it and will also suck up the
ammonia if there is enough light.
To bring down the pH and hardness use peat. Iether place
the peat in the tank or condition the water with peat
before doing water changes. This will also help with the
chloramine.
I'm also concerned with the high copper and lead levels
you mention. Do you have values. Copper and lead are
very toxicc even at low levels (0.02 ppm!).
The peat will adsorb and precipitate much of the lead
and copper but maybe not enough.
I think an RO unit is the best bet if the peat idea
doesn't pan out.
Bye
Tyrone Genade
tyronegenade at yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/tyronegenade
*************************************************************
P450 Lab, Biochemistry Department
University of Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa
Ph: +27-021-808-5876, fax: +27-021-808-5863
**********************************************************
"No, the LORD has told us what is good. What He requires
of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love,
and to live in humble fellowship with our GOD."
Micah 6:8