Again Water

[qxcontinuum]

Ok, it seems my problem is water. I cannot afford running an Ro /Di or distillated since this is too expensive.
Right now i am using tap water hich is fine because doesn't contain, phosphates, nitrates and copper. I know it may have some other metals.
So i was thinking; i am currently living at the shore of Ontario's lake. Basically i just go out and fill a bucket of water. There are some spots with rocks where water is crystal clear.
Is there anything wrong using this water?

Thanks

 

[dcantucson]

I think if I did that I would test the heck out of it first. It may very well be better than what you are currently using, but how would you know if you didn't test it first.

 

[qxcontinuum]

on the other hand. This water should have many microorganisms that are use to live in fresh water. Adding salt to that will kill them resulting probably ammonia and nitrates and other stuff.

I was just reding on the Ontario's ministry of water and they were saying the water is awesome since Onario's the region with nearly 10.000 lakes

 

[Bifferwine]

I'm assuming there are boats on that lake. Do you realize how many pollutants from fuel and oil are going to be in that water? Did you know that a single quart (four cups) of oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of water so bad that it's undrinkable?

Ammonia and nitrates are the last things I'd be concerned about. You are better off using dechlorinated tap water than lake water if you will not use RODI water.

 

[qxcontinuum]

I'm assuming there are boats on that lake. Do you realize how many pollutants from fuel and oil are going to be in that water? Did you know that a single quart (four cups) of oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of water so bad that it's undrinkable?

Ammonia and nitrates are the last things I'd be concerned about. You are better off using dechlorinated tap water than lake water if you will not use RODI water.

I think you're right!

 

[qxcontinuum]

The best i can do will be using dechlorinated tap water collected in a 50 gallons tupperwere. A pump insight will run water over a load of active carbon. Sometimes i have added 5 up to 10 gallons (5 -10 %) of water not dechlorinated in my fish tank. It was told me that this amount will have o effect since is mixed with the existent water.
But i won't do that anymore. The instant dechlorinator must be use at anytime!

 

[sen5241b]

I read somewhere that Toronto has excellent water quality. Get a TDS meter for a lousy $25 and test the water or just call the city goverment and ask what the TDS is or if the have a water report. If it is low, like under 50 TDS, you might just try using tap water with a de-chlorinator. Do not use water right out of a lake.

 

[yote]

Instead of using dechlornator,let the water sit in your container with a power head for 24 hours.That will let the chlorine dissapate on its own and you wont have to add any kind of chemicals to it.

 

[ccCapt]

This is the latest Toronto water supply report.​

Parameter Sample​

Antimony 0 mg/L
Arsenic 0 mg/L

Barium 0.021-0.023 mg/L

Boron 0.023-0.031 mg/L
Cadmium 0 mg/L
Chromium 0 mg/L​

Lead 0 mg/L

Mercury 0 mg/L

Selenium 0 mg/L
Sodium 12.0-15.2 mg/L​

Uranium 0.0003-0.0004 mg/L

Fluoride 0.10-0.60 mg/L
Nitrite 0 mg/L

Nitrate 0.32-0.50 mg/L ​

 

[Ted]

Well if it was me and ro/di water wasnt a option. Then I would run it through a tap filter and then use prime on it. The filter should reduce any metals and the prime detoxofies any ammonia. I have been doing this. Money has been very tight around here and it has been working for me I havent had any algae issues at all. Now I am not saying you wont my water and yours is different but you could try it I have the one at the top of the page. the fm 350 Faucet Mount Water Filters by DuPont?

 

[project5k]

you can make your own carbon filter outta some pvc pipe, some polyester pillow batting and some fish tank charcoal...

 

[qxcontinuum]

Hey Cc Capt. Thanks so mych for this great informations.
Is this good or bad ? :D

 

[tankedchemist]

it's pretty good. But you should still run it through carbon, and dechlorinate it in some fashion before use. Plus, keep in mind that that's the water tested straight out of the plant-- water has to travel through old, dirty pipes to get to your house, so it's still worth finding out if your TDS is low at your house, or not.